Snake

Jacket: Topshop

Top: Zara

Jeans: Topshop

Shoes: Zara

Bag: Topshop 

I hope you like my monochrome ensemble thrown together here :) I have to thank my lovely friend Katie for taking these (and a few other sets of) photos, she is a brilliant photographer and you can check out her website HERE. 

Remember to follow via Bloglovin' HERE if you're enjoying my blog :) 

B. 

The June Favourites

Hey guys! 

I would actually consider this more of a May AND June favourites post, as I realised that (silly me) I forgot to post a May favourites post as I was so busy with exams and finishing uni! So there are lots and lots of things I have included to make up for this! :)

Skincare and fragrance picks: 
1. Liz Earle Instant Boost Skin Tonic: Such a gorgeous toner, the smell is lovely and it is so refreshing on skin. I have owned this for a really long time and pulled it out from the archives after being reminded about it by Suzie from Hello October. 
2. Origins Out of Trouble mask: Everyone bangs on about the Drink Up intensive mask, which I still need to try. But when I collected enough Boots points to pick a mask, I chose the Out of Trouble one, and I'm glad I did as it effectively clears up any blemishes and evens skin surface.
3. Estee Lauder Bronze Goddess: I reviewed this last month when I bought it (read here), it is the most beautiful perfume and smells like holidays. It's limited edition so give it a sniff while you still can!

Haircare picks: 
1. Bumble and Bumble Surf shampoo and conditioner: I can't believe how much I love these. When I bought them in Space NK I was a little hesitant as I didn't think they would be moisturising enough for my dry ends. But they do something amazing to my locks, and after I wash my hair I can now let it dry naturally and it needs minimal styling which is a big change for me. 
2. Charles Worthington Salon at home Shine booster gloss spray: I always like to use a shine finishing spray on my hair before I leave the house and this one does exactly what it says on the tin and smells lovely. 

Make up picks: 
1. Rimmel Salon Pro nail polish in Purple Rain: These nail polishes are AMAZING. With seche vite on top, they last on the nails for a good few days chip free and have a glossy, gel like finish. I especially like this cute purpley colour and have my eye on Summer Orange next. 
2. Maxfactor Miracle touch creamy blush in Soft Pink: Lots of bloggers are loving this right now, and I am certainly no exception. I review it in full in my Cream Blush post. 
3. Revlon lip butter in Creme Brulee: Another cult favourite, this butter shade is a gorgeous nudey- brown and is the perfect day time lipstick: it is subtle but sultry, and moisturising but not too sheer. 
4. Soap and Glory One heck of a blot powder: I can't believe I was considering forking out near enough £40 for the new Chanel powder when I could get this for under half the price. It gives a gorgeous mattifying effect and erases shine whilst holding base in place; a winner. 
5. Bourjois Delice de Soleil Bronzer in Fair/Medium: This is a product I hadn't heard anything about on the Blogsphere, but it caught my eye in Boots because it is not too orangey, not too browny and most importantly, not too dark for pale skin. It is a lovely light bronzer and I would recommend it for pale skin. It also smells pretty lush too. 

In other news, last weekend I went to see the killers at Wembley Stadium. I can honestly say that as a regular concert/gig/festival goer this is one of the best live performances I have ever seen. The Killers completely blew me away and I fell even deeper in love with Mr Flowers. If you ever have a chance to see them I urge you to take it; they are just incredible live!

Remember to follow me on BLOGLOVIN' HERE if you fancy :)

B. 

The Cream Blush convert

So I am not a cream blush girl. Or I never was. Due to my combination skin I always found the cream blush to slide down my face by midday and cause my face to appear almost a little blotchy. But since I started blogging I have been exposed to the world of cream blushes and have strayed from my usual NARS or Sleek powder formulas. The following blushes are (excuse the pun) the cream of the crop and have been tried and tested by yours truly after reading pretty fantastic reviews on some of my favourite beauty blogs. 

 1. Bourjois cream blush pot in 02: Healthy Glow: New to the market, the Bourjois mini pot cream blushes are extremely cute and hyped up on the Blogsphere. I love this shade as I am a fan of peachy blushes, and this is one of the best. The formula is slightly powdery which is why it works so well on my skin. 

2. Maxfactor Miracle Touch creamy blush in 14: Soft pink: This is undoubtedly my favourite of the bunch. Admittedly I have slightly stolen this from my Mum's makeup bag after hearing SO much about it lately. The texture of this is its best feature as it is almost like a cream/gel hybrid and stays put on the skin whilst adding a really beautiful glow. 

3. Revlon Photoready cream blush in 100: Pinched: This was the first cream blush I picked up and admittedly, although it's not my favourite, it is still the product responsible for me delving deeper into the cream blush phenomenon. I especially like the colour as it is subtle and pretty; a good starting point for cream blush-a-phobes. 

4. Topshop cream blush in Neon Rose: I bought this aaaaages ago, as in years, and so admittedly I'm pretty doubtful they still do this shade, but have a search at the Topshop makeup stand and you will be sure to find something similar. This shade is a really bright, shocking pinky colour which has to be used sparingly but really brightens up your face. The formula is not my favourite as it can get a little chalky, but I am a big lover of Topshop makeup, and I also own this blush in an old colour, 'Butterscotch' which was a beautiful champagney gold which I used as a highlighter. 

So there it is, I am an official cream blush convert. Although I will occasionally reach for a powder blush, I think cream blushes will be my summer staple. 

Are you a powder blush or a cream blush girl? What are some of your favourite blushes? 

B. 

What's in THEIR office makeup bags?

A few weeks ago, I did a post on my daily makeup I keep in my handbag when I'm out and about. Now I've finished uni for the summer and am back at my job, I thought it would be fun to take a peek into some of the girls in the office's daily makeup bags. It was really fun and because they work in fashion and love all things fashion & beauty, my lovely friends Emma and Emma had some great bits in their makeup bag which I am now lusting after! 

Emma.T's makeup bag: 

Real Techniques Brushes

Ellie Saab perfume

Chanel powder

Mac Studio Sculpt in NW15

Mac blush in Well Dressed

Shu Umera Eyelash curlers

Benefit Porefessional

Mac Mineralize concealer

Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer 

Mac Blacktrack eyeliner

Topshop highlighter in Sunbeam

Emma's makeup bag from Betty Jackson Black collection

Emma O.B's Makeup Bag:

Revlon Balm Stain in Cherish Devotion

Mister Mascara Eyelash curlers 

Mac eyeshadow in Honey Lust

Rimmel Bronzing Powder in Medium

Rosy Lips Vaseline 

Garnier Pure Active under eye roll on 

Rimmel Match Perfection Concealer in classic beige

Rimmel Blush in Live Pink

Bourjois eyeliner in ultra black 

Pantene aqua light spray 

Emma's bag from ZARA.

For more fun beauty posts, follow me on Bloglovin' HERE. 

B. 

Pinny

Pinafore: PopCouture*

Shirt: Zara

Shoes: Zara

Bag: Whistles 

Hey guys! Sorry for not posting since Tuesday, I have had such a busy week moving out of my place in Notts and coming back down South, and then being ill and hurting my neck (waaah!) But anyway, I am excited to start back at my job on Monday and I have a busy week of results and seeing the Killers, but will fit in lots of blogging too! 

ANYWAY, on to today's look; the lovely people at Pop Couture sent me a few bits this week and this Xava black pinafore playsuit is my absolute favourite. I'd been looking for a pinafore like this for ages, and can't believe how affordable this one is, I'm really excited to take it on holiday. I've paired it with my Zara shirt and some bright limey accessories, which I have really been loving at the moment, especially the shoes which are new and which I die of happiness a little every time I lay my eyes on them.

If you like this gorgeous Xava pinafore, click the link here to have a little look at it, and use the following code to get an exclusive 10% discount (pinafore only):
bx10

Hope you are all well and remember to follow me on Bloglovin' HERE if you have enjoyed this post. 

B. 

The cult lipstick: MAC SHOW ORCHID

Let's ignore my hair in this post- my roots are in desperate need of touching up!!

Stop me if I'm wrong, but there's something seriously alluring about the beauty product that you can't seem to find anywhere, or that is constantly 'unavailable,' 'out of stock' or just 'not sold here'. It's the classic 'want what you can't have' love affair, and I'd been having mine with Mac's Show Orchid for quite some time. I tried buying it online on every conceivable website...UNAVAILABLE. I asked one of my lovely friends to pick me one up at the Pro store in London (seemingly the ONLY place in the UK that sells this gem?!)...OUT OF STOCK. I even (for 5 ridiculous minutes) decided I was going to find a way to get a Mac Pro makeup membership/card thing so I could purchase it online. 

It all seems a little crazy for a lipstick right? But it was THAT lipstick, the one I had been lusting over for pretty much an entire year, and I really was determined to own it. Then it hit me, AMERICA! A massive lightbulb moment, as I (along with the rest of my family) know a few lovely people over there and Show Orchid is easily available online over there. So with a little help from my (Dad's) friends, I FINALLY got my hands on one (actually two!!). And I am definitely not dissapointed. Show Orchid is a blue toned bright hot pink, and is unlike any other colour I have seen before. The best comparison I can think of is Girl about Town (mac), but it doesn't have the same wow factor as Show Orchid. It is a stunning colour which I believe would suit any skin tone (those who are brave enough to wear it). Just be prepared to join in on the Show Orchid hunt, and hear me when I say it ain't fun. 

Thank God the American dream extends to helping me out with my lipstick obsession.

As ever, I hope you enjoy reading my blog, and if you do, follow me on Bloglovin’ HERE and I would love to take a look at your page.

B. 

Have any of you guys tried Show Orchid? What are your favourite Mac colours? 

The inevitable post-exam HAUL

We've all been there; you finish your exams or something you have been working on for a long time and feel the need to go out and seriously treat yourself. And this is exactly what I did. Some may say I took it a little too far (don't I always) but I say why the hell not? It's been a very long tough few months, and I felt it was time to be a little irresponsible. So along with lots of partying and sleeping, I HAULED. You may notice there is a theme: skincare and base. I concentrated on these areas because my skin has been a little rubbish after exam stress...Here is what I bought (on a couple of shopping trips): 

Space NK: 

Laura Mercier Radiance Primer 

Ren Clay Cleanser 

NARS sheer glow foundation in Fiji

Boots:

Origins GinZing moisturiser 

Bourjois Healthy Mix concealer 

Bourjois Cream Blush in 02 'Healthy Glow' 

Bourjois Bronzing primer 

Soap & Glory One Heck of a Blot powder 

I also picked up my favourite candle; Lily Flame Mellow Figs and Garden Mint (if you like figgy scents you will love!) and grabbed a few testers from Space NK, including the Emma Hardie cleansing balm which I have been eyeing up for some time. Admittedly, I went a little crazy, but on the plus side...DOUBLE POINTS IN SPACE NK...good times. 

Have you guys been treating yourselves after exams? What have you been buying? 

B. 

Skortin'

Hat: Topshop
T-Shirt: Topshop
Skort: Zara
Shoes: Topshop
Bag: Vintage Louis Vuitton
Rings and watch: Vintage/Topshop/Calvin Klein 


WELL HELLO!

I cannot actually believe how long it has been since I last blogged. I am extremely ashamed, but my only excuse is that I was suffering in revision and exam hell!

I am officially back to blogging now though, so expect to see lots more, and I hope you like my new mini blog re-design.

In other news, it has been a pretty good few days as along with being featured as Lovarni’s blogger of the month, I have also been mentioned by the lovely Amy Valentine in her May outfit favourites, which was really kind of her. I have also been writing for my Uni magazine, Impact, and my latest feature inspired by Leandra ‘the man repeller’ Medine can be found here. Take a read and let me know what you think! 

As ever, I hope you enjoy reading my blog, and if you do, follow on GFC and Bloglovin’ HERE and I would love to take a look at your page.

B.