With Candy Canes & Silver Lanes Aglow

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas, everywhere except where I am. Unfortunately I am still at my University house, my friends went home for Christmas last week and I have stayed an extra couple of days to finish the rota off before I go home for the Christmas Break.

The inner Macaulay Culkin in me is coming out the nearer to Christmas we get. Even though I am in this unfestive house, consisting of no tree, advent calenders or cards. But I am getting very Christmas-y reading and watching everybody's 'Christmas Tag' posts.

I'm not sure if I will be able to do a post over the Christmas period, but I joined the blogging community because I love reading other people's blogs, so I will still browsing through everybody's blogs. If any passers through have any interesting blogs they would like to post below, I will happily check them out..

For now;

 I hope everybody has a lovely Christmas filled with lots of love, happiness and memories.

D E T <3

A Two Pound Glaze

If any readers didn't catch a few posts ago, I bought two lipsticks for £40; one from Bobby Brown and one from NARS. Don't get me wrong, these are luxury items, I cherish and admire their presence in my make-up bag ! But I know better than anyone what it is like to be in school and college trying to juggle the weekly spenditure allowance off your parents, or having to sit through that gastly General Studies class just for the tick in the register granting that glorious EMA allowance every week!

The thought never even crossed my mind whilst I was in school to spend over £5 on a lipstick, let alone four times that amount ! I still get reluctant to spent over £10 on a lipstick with the horrific thought that I'll get home and find the shade doesn't suit me in the slightest.

I have had my eyes on two colours of lipsticks, both by MAC and both exremely popular! One is a shade close to the (sold out!) Pink Friday shade and the other is a nude shade. I don't fancy spending £30 on two colours which may not compliment my skin or find they are too pigmented so I look like I've smeared a pot of concealer on my lips.

The next two items I have bought many-a-times from the Natural Collection make-up section at Boots. They were to test out whether the pink and nude look would suit me so I could go and buy a MAC lipstick.. But I loved them too much and for £1.99 (YES one pound ninety nine !!) I don't think it's necessary to replace them with a hit or miss £16 lipstick !

L-R, Pink Mallow & Lotus - £1.99 Boots Natural Collection

Both of these are quite sheer, but have a buildable coverage. So if you want a really pink / nude look just apply over a few more times.. Pink Mallow is a moisture shine finish and Lotus is a sheer natural finish. I like to use Lotus over Pink Mallow, I think it gives a really nice finish..

T-B, Lotus - Pink Mallow

T-B, Lotus - Pink Mallow

(With a flash) Just to give you an idea of how pink it can really look

I always use Lotus, it is one which is constantly at the bottom of my bag.. It gives a really natural sheer nude but also gives you the ability to alter how pigmented you want it. Although they don't look the most stylish lipstick to ever be brought out, I don't think you can complain for £1.99 , especially with Christmas a couple of weeks away eeeek !!

D E T <3

Mattifying Kelly Rowland

To start off, I haven't done anything to my nails in 10 days ! Yes, a very long ten whole days ! I have had to count because I have sent my nails to nail rescue priory ! For ten long days I have been using this;

Rimmel Nail Rescue , £4.99 , Boots

Although I've cut four days out of the treatment I have noticed a difference with my nails. You apply one coat to your nails on day one, then add another coat on day two , then you leave them alone till day seven , take it all off and restart the process. It is a lot of faffing about. I found my nails have stopped splitting and chipping and they have hardened slightly more than usual. The treatment gives a really beautiful shiny coat, so it was nice to have natural looking nails for a change.

BUT, I was expecting big results, I think I would have the same results if I had just left my nails 14 days with out doing anything to them.. The nail varnish chips so I was left with a catch 22 . If I reapplied to all the chipped areas I would have to write a rota to keep check on which day and which nail I have applied coats to. (Even I have limits !)

Anyway, this is what cut my nail treatment process by four days !

Most of you will have seen my other Kelly Rowland nails.. Having an accent finger nail a different colour than the rest has become a really big trend. I have seen many people sporting this using different coloured nail varnishes.

Here is my third, yes third, KR inspired nails.

I've chosen the ring finger to sport a different colour.. I'm using the pink glitter from the second KR nails I did.

Clear Nail Varnish - Gift Set. Claire's glitter powder- Gift, you can pick glitter up from any craft store

I applied clear nail varnish to my nail, and sprinkled the pink glitter over. Whilst that was drying I painted the rest of the nails.

Rimmel Lasting Finish 080 Black Cab - £2.99

I chose to use a black after going through numerous summer corals. Whilst the black was drying, I did a top coat of clear over the glitter.. (Make sure you wipe the brush with a tissue before putting it back into the varnish pot!)

I have been waiting to use this for so long...

Rimmel Matte Finish - £4.99

This is amazing ! You apply it over any dried varnish and it instantly mattifys it. I can't wait to have so much fun with this !

Mattified Kelly Rowland inspired nails

The Matte Finish tones down the black contrast to the pink. I love this mattifying varnish & have some really nice ideas to try out with it!

Now to sort the glitter massacre out !

D E T <3

Girl Panic

A very inspirational, rock & roll, glamorous ten minutes! High class, super models, paparazzi and a whole lot of glamour !

I never thought I would be singing along to a Duran Duran song but this video is amazing!  I love everything about it , from Naomi to Helena, the glamourous hair, make-up and clothes ! How amazing do all the girls look ?! It's Rock & Roll...

D E T

Waste Not...

I'm not the type of girl to wear something once and then throw it to the back of the wardrobe for another season; or leave it a couple of weeks until I next wear it for fear of being caught wearing the same outfit twice. I'm sure everybody has some clothes which are memorable like statement jeans to a jacket, marking off the days from when you last wore it to when it's acceptable to be seen in it again.. Social stigmas ehhh !

I recently bought a pair of leather pannel motorcycle style leggings. These a quite a memborable piece, so I figured I could perhaps create a more subtler day/evening look. (I'm not letting those badboys go to waste! Haa ) This is what I teamed with the pants to tone the look down.

I wore a white vest underneath a rolled up, sheer grey shirt (I unbuttoned this wrong so I could get a more textured look). Leather pannel leggings and grey laced up brogues.

I just worked around the leggings and used more subtle clothes to dress them down.

Outterwear: I added a long grey faux fur gilet

(I'm working on the lighting!)

I always see a lot of people wearing random (Random is the word!) accessories on their wrists, from festival tags to ribbons.. I always stack 'things' on my left wrist.. This is what I wore with that outfit.

L-R , Tresor Paris bracelet,  crazy girl Marc By Marc Jacobs black bobble, yellow bird Marc By Marc Jacobs bobble, D&G watch & Hamsa bracelet.. Ring - Primark wrapped snake.

Final outfit.. Added my McQueen skull scarf over the top..

I never want to waste any piece of clothing ! I practically wear things until the seams are coming out ! I'm hardly on Tamara Ecclestones wage were I can afford to throw things away after one wear.. This is one way I wore them toned down, there are so many more ways.. Although, my style isn't going to be for everyone, but as long as you feel comfortable in what you wear you should definitely go for it!!

Thanks Muahh

D E T <3

Anyone For Ombre?

I'm sure most people are familiar with the Ombre trend. Whether you have Ombre'd your hair to your clothes, we have all witnessed this trend on somebody. Unfortunately, if you are sick of it, it seems as if Ombre'ying isn't about to 'dye' down. (Eeek, That was awful! )

Personally, I am not one who is brave enough or infact would actually suit the Ombre hair which has swept the nation ! But... I am all for wild nails !!

Long over due is another nail trend. I have had to let my nails repair themselves ! (Dam you acrylics!) They have been really brittle since I have been trying to go au naturel. (I deserve an award for numerous occasions were I rejected the offer to get my talons back !)

This was my inspiration;

Ombre Nails as seen at Jen Kao

(I have to mention, this look was achieved using an air brushing nail art system!)

So here is the nail trend. Again, I am not a pro, this is my first attempt (Practice Makes Perfect!) so they are not going to be perfect, but what I love about Ombre is that it doesn't have to look like a B&Q paint colour spectrum sheet! Here is how I did it.

Rimmel Lasting Finish 080 Black Cab - £2.99

I chose to follow a similar colour scheme as the Jen Kao one. I put a generous amount of varnish at the bottom of my nail near the cuticle.

I used a spare eye shadow brush to dab the nail varnish outwards towards the tip to create a faded look.. (If there was too much nail varnish on the nail to begin with I just dabbed it with the eye shadow brush and then on to some paper.)

Barry M 017 Blue Turquoise - £2.99

I then started with the opposing colour and just did the same - using the other side of the eye shadow brush. Going against what clear nail varnish users should do !! I gave my nails a top coat of clear whilst my nails where wet so that they linked together more smoothly. (I wiped the brush before putting it back into the pot!)

And the result:

Ombre style nails. The picture isn't really showing the lighter shadings of the blue/black that well, you can see the detailing better firsthand.. But for a first try - I'm pretty impressed. If anyone is going to attempt it, be warned - drying time is the worst time !

D E T <3 

Hamsa Bracelet

I just want to thank everybody for all the support and the lovely comments I've been receiving ! It really does give me the enthusiasm to continue blogging ! I never thought I would have any followers or people leaving comments, truely overwhelmed ! Thank you all so much ! Mwaaaaa <3

 On to the post before I start getting emosh, rambling on about how overwhelmed and grateful I am aha;

I totally forgot I had even ordered this, but today I received a Hamsa bracelet. You might of seen many celebrities wearing them, like Nicole Richie, Lauren Conrad, Maddona, Alessandra Amborsio, Ashton Kutcher.

They do come in many designs but I have the satin red lace with the gold Hamsa hand on.

Red Hamsa with gold hand

                   Excuse my nails, I'm having an awful time with them at the moment !

So this bracelet.. It is believed to protect the wearer from evil eyes. There is a belief that these eyes can cast curses which bring back luck, misfortune and injuries. They say the most common form of this is through envy. It is also linked to the Kabbalah bracelets which I've seen Ashton Kutcher, Madonna and Paris Hilton wear, which is the red string on the left hand - Red symbolising warning off evil. So this bracelet is believed to bring good luck, prosperity and protect against maliciousness,evilness and nasty people.

 Some people may believe it is a money making gimic, but the spirituality behind all of this has been derived from thousands of years ago - even before religions were involved.

You don't have to believe you are protected, but it definitely is a nice thought when you look down at your wrist and see a beautiful glowing red bracelet.  

D E T <3

Alexander Wang INSPIRED Rocco bag

Do you ever get that obsessiveness, that when you find a bag or item of clothing or make-up, you can't actually stop thinking about it until you have it. Well this was the thing on my mind. I made up so many excuses to justify why I should have it. ''I have been working hard'' , ''I haven't bought myself anything for months'', '' I need a new bag for university '' ''blahhhhhhhhhhhh ' Yeah I came up with them all, even though I knew this bag wasn't going to be used to carry sweaty, dirty old books in them !

It is an inspired bag ! Not the real thing, and I got it for a crazy 30£!! A steal, to say the real thing costs £700 +!

This is the picture which inspired me to really want this bag !

Mary-Kate Olsen makes anything look amazing!

And this is THE bag ! (Sorry about my attire ! HAA Clearly for comfort! aha)

I actually saved it till I went to watch Paddy McGuiness on the saturday just gone. This is what I wore.

I didn't end up wearing the blazer , I thought I looked more like i'd just finished work so I put a fur coat on instead. Hair - messy scraped back A-Olsen inspired.

Leather pannel motorcycle leggings , White shirt, Alexander McQueen scarf , 7inch heels (BAD MISTAKE when walking down the MEN steps!! ) & the bag !



The bag is amazing, it is sooo roomy I can actually use it for a travelling bag !! I'm still in love with it ! Haa .. I think it is still available online to buy !!

D E T ! <3 





Lip Colour Injection

Lipsticks. I'm forever 'umming' and 'aaahing' at what colour, shade, effect I should be looking for. Should I get matt, satin, moisturising, the list of effects are endless. So I went out and got two very similar but very different ones (If that makes sense?!)

I actually went to Selfridges to get a nude lipstick from MAC, a lighter pigmented creamy sheen . BUT, as ever I and many people experience, the service is S*#T!! They offer so many colours and so many stuck up sales assistants to offer some help. As soon as I walked around the corner to NARS and Bobby Brown, I was greated and offered assistance instantly. Which helped me pick these two colours.

NARS - Napoli (£18) , Bobby Brown - Soft Coral 7 (£18)

They both are 'Rouge a Levres' finish, which is a creamy moisturising result, a lipstick with high pigments and a moisturising factor.

Starting with the NARS, this one is a gorgeous colour, it really compliments my olive skin tone. It looks browny but it is a nude lip colour, which assents the origional colour of your lips. It has pinky undertones so it doesn't come out brown, but more of a fleshy gloss. This is a nice lipstick for someone who doesn't wear glosses and doesn't want the harsh look of a lipstick. It's very subtle and looks great as a day or evening lipstick.

The Bobby Brown has the same finish and is very pigmented ! It is less glossy but more creamy, so when you're wearing it , it feels like you have a lip balm on.. The high pigments make it a perfect summery lipstick as it is in a very fresh colour. I wear this to brighten my face up as it's not a harsh on the lips. I wear it in the day or on a night out - it works really well for both. It is also SPF12 which is even better for a day lipstick !

The swatch of them doesn't do them much justice, I'll do a picture on my lips at some point.

(L-R) Nars Napoli - Bobby Brown - Soft Coral 7

Any questions, just ask beauties !

D E T   <3  XO



Major Faux Pas ?

I love mixing my clothes and jewellery up to my own personal style. But I've always heard that mixing silver and gold together is a MFP (Majour Faux Pas). I've seen many style icons mixing the two metals from Mary-Kate to Whitney Eve. I don't see a problem in wearing the two! You can't be expected to have a Pandora bracelet and have completely gold charms on now can you?

Personally, I think that MFP has become a DFP; Dead Faux Pas, in jewellery terms. Don't get me wrong - I'm not saying go out and wear a silver dress with gold shoes, belt, jewels the lot! There are boundaries. But as for jewellery, be brave and express yourself.

These don't match in the slightest, but they worked with my outfit. I'm wearning two different shades of gold metal - one curved ring at the joint and a tiger to match my nails. On the other hand I have a silver and topaz teardrop ring. That was just my expression for today . I couldn't pick, so I wore them all. Some people will still be against silver & gold together but it's only jewellery . Lighten up (Hahah !)

Update on the Minx effect nails. I'm not feeling them to be honest. They are starting to get on my nerves. I've scratched myself so many times it's really grating on me. With having to clean down after work , washing up and showering - it's taken a big tole on them ! The ends are begining to peel making them scratchy and some are lifting. I spoke to a friend of mine who is also a nail technician; she said even Minx start to peel. They do look amazing but are not for long term wear. I will be taking these off tomorrow when I get chance. I would recommend these for a certain night out, or for a dirty unemployed person who doesn't have to put products and water to their hands. But with everything they have been through - they have stayed decent enough for me to not want to hide my hands away !!

Thaaanks for reading.

D E T <3 

Minx Inspired Nails

Hey Beauts ! I've not done a post for a while, I've been saving it for this one ! Had to grow my own nails which is proving a pain ! Every day I am getting more drawn back to acrylics ! (Eeek be strong D be stong !) I think what I have just done would look even better on my longer (Fake!) nails.. But here is the post !!




I've seen so many times celebrities wearing Minx nails . Khloe Kardashian Odom, Kim Kardashian Humphries (Who saw the wedding ?!! How beautiful did the K's look ! Anyway that's another post!), Katy Perry .. This list is ever going. Every one has been seen sporting them ! But they are quite expensive and you can't get all the latest trends in salons in the UK..

Agyness Deyn - Gold Minx Nails

Katy Perry - B/W Boxed Minx Nails.

Beyonce - Gold Minx Nails

I really really wanted Gold mirrored nails ! And finally I stumbled across these when I asked a customer in work where she got her nails done. Unbelievably - they weren't Minx but Nail Rock from New Look.

Minx Nail Homepage. (The effect I wanted!)

Minx effect nails. Nail Wraps - Nail Rocks available at NewLook - £6.00

Here is how simple they are to do..

Make sure your nails are really clean and have no excess nail varnish on them .

Take a nail file or nail buffer and buff the top of your nail. This (The same with applying acrylic nails) gets rid of any grease and dirt which will prevent the nail wraps (Or Acrylic ) to stick to the nail.



I used some tweezers to peel the wrap off and then heated it with a hair dryer and placed it over my buffed nail.

I heated the wrap and pressed it firmly down then re heated it and pressed the sides down firmly.. I reheated it and then let it cool and set.. Nine fingers later....

So easy to do ! They look amazing with the light reflecting off them ! Unfortunately they only have these designs, but I will be looking around some drug stores to see if they have any other Minx effect nails..

Thanks for reading !

Mwaaa

D E T <3

The Row ; Mary-Kate & Ashley Olsen

Is it just me , or can these twins do nothing wrong ! I love them ! I've grown up watching their TV shows , I actually owned their films (On tape might I add ! That's how long ago it was ) and even the autobiography. There is something about them which makes me want to see more , which I definitley see in their clothing line The Row. A glamourous sophisticated bohemian.

I can't believe that these twins were once selling clothing in George at Asda now have their own, very exclusive line designed and inspired by themselves.

I personally, love it ! It is very simple and reminds me much of Celine but can also be switched around to make a women look and feel very elegant, sophisticated and glamourous.

I know there has been a lot of controversy over one bag inparticular. The very expensive crocadile backpack.

Crocadile Backpack $39,000 (Around £24,800)

This bag flew off the shelf ! Yes, it looks absolutely amazing and I'm sure a lot of American schoolies would love to put their assignments inside of that ! But to be totally earnest, that is a bag for only someone who has too much money for sense. (To me , as a notorious bag lover, with 25k I could do and think of soo much than to buy one bag!) The culprit hasn't been named or spotted wearing it yet, but it wouldn't surprise me if Petra Ecclestone were to sport it on another house hunt !

But on a serious note. Although The Row has worked with Toms who support a child in need by putting shoes on their feet (& yes I have a pair and have for over a year and half!) we have to wonder about the animal used for the bag... Just a thought...

D E T <3

Blackberry & RIM

I thought I wold do a post on this for everyone who is wondering what the hell Blackberry are doing with their server !

I myself am a proud owner of a Blackberry ! I've had one for nearly two yearrs . I bought the Iphone4 when it came out (It lasted three whole weeks!) I hated the thing ! Don't get me wrong, the apps are amazing - but I never had any time to play around on them anyway . So I switched back to BB!

Blackberry Bold 8900

I use my Blackberry for work and socialising. I travel around a lot so I need it instead of carrying a laptop around. I find it quite vital I keep intouch with people, events , work scheduals and emails. So now on day three, i'm getting a little p*~##!! off..

Blackberry attempted an update on it's software but suffered some corruption problems leading to over 70mil users services to be down ! If this is the work of some computer geek, sitting in their bedroom planting viruses and hacking things then WELL DONE you've succeeded !

Hopefully Blackberry will sort this out soon and I don't have to strap my laptop to my legs any longer !

D E T <3 

Nail Trend - Reverse French Chevron

I love nail art and trying new designs out ! I am always open to try anything out and always looking for new ideas and inspiration.

I saw this picture and thought I would have a try at it ! It looks amazing and some how I thought it wouldn't be as hard to achieve .. Urrrmmm

Inverted French Chevron as seen at Essie

I have to say before hand. This is something you need to do carefully & with a fair bit of time on your hands ! Also, this was my first attempt - I am not a nail technician of any sort so my nails are not going to be perfect! So please, hold the bad comments ! But here is a step by step to how I created a similar look.

Firstly I boxed the tops of my little nails off so they were a cute square shape. I didn't do a base coat or a first colour because I wasn't sure on how they would turn out as it was my first go ! I wasn't planning on wearable results !

I then cut some sello tape up into squares and placed them diamondly at the cuticle, over lapping some of the nail.

 

I then painted over my nail in this:

Rimmel Lasting Finish 080 Black Cab - £2.99

I did two coats then waited for it to dry, then peeled the sellotape off .

 If you are going to attempt this then make sure it dries or when you peel the sellotape off it will lift the varnish and smudge !

And ... The results...

For my first try I think I've done alright, as they say Practice Makes Perfect , I will definitely be trying these again ! But unfortunately they will only be staying on for another day because I have purchased some new exciting polishes I will share with you all !!

Thanks

D E T <3

REVIEW : Nars Bronzer (Laguna)

I was going to do this post last night but I ended up going to the River Island lock-in instead which makes me wonder, should I do any hauls? Hmmm..

I always hear about people needing to find a good bronzer. A suitable one which could be used throughout the day time and not look too dark and over the top .. Or a night one which doesn't leave you looking like a orange drag !  We've all had it were we look on photos the next day and see a huge streak up the side of our faces ! I have naturally an olive complexion and find this bronzer perfect for contouring my cheeks.

Nars Bronzing Powder - £24

This powder is available in three shades, Laguna - Being the lightest, Irresistablement, and Casino - the darkest.

Laguna (Lightest shade)

I use Laguna which is the lightest shade. They say that this is for light skin tones and the Casino , the darkest shade, is for an olive complexion but I personaly find that this works amazingly and is the perfect shade for what I want out of it.

When using it for contouring, I find it is amazing. It isn't too dark to make you look like your dying but gives a subtle shading with max effect ! It has a warmer tone to it as well, which allows for it to be used all over your face for a sun kissed, fresher look !

What I used to find in some bronzers I used, was the shimmer in them produced an effect which made me look like a childrens entertainer. It was over powering when I would step under a light or when a photo was taken. This has minimal shimmer which doesn't leave the feeling of a disco ball but gives a nice natural glow under the cheek bones and to where ever else you would use it.

I would recommend this to light - olive skin tones. But if you are looking for a harsher more defined look when contouring or bronzing I would pick a darker shade. Although it is expensive, if you are looking for a cheaper alternative - I would chose one which has a small amount of shimmer and a golden peachy undertone which accentuates your complexion.

If you want to get an idea to the intensity I have I have read about Kourtney Kardashian using it with her glowing skin tone and also Audrina Partridge who has a lighter skin tone..

D E T <3