Truro Trend #streetstyle

I took to the streets on Wednesday to see if I could capture some of Truro's hottest street style! Sadly the weather was pretty rubbish so most people had donned waterproofs over wool and brollies over bralets but I did manage to find a few gems on my hunt around!

Holly. Jacket and Shorts - Enjoy Vintage Truro

This jacket stoof out instantly, from the bold colour blocking, to the shoulder pads and the trimming, I love everything about this jacket! It definitely brightened up the grey day!

Aline (left) layering vintage All Saints and Anon (right) hat, top, jeans and boots from TOPSHOP, coat from New Look.

Layering is always a key trend for autumn winter. Like Aline on the left you can layer lots of thinner pieces to create a look full of depth or like our blonde bombshell on the right you can have a simple outfit layered with one statement coat. Both girls look great!! 

OOTD - Rachael. Duster Coat, Check Shirt, Jeans - TOPSHOP. Shoes - H&M

I am loving Rachael's colour co-ordinated outfit. With black jeans and shoes acting as a solid base it allows the check shirt to stand out, the green duster coat adds subtle layering whilst also pulling on the green from the check and the look is tied together by the matching red lippy! LOVE IT!!

It's my plan to get some more street style snaps from now on!

Get those outfits ready peeps... I'm coming for you!

Much love

R x

application application application

As I have just done a post on choosing the right foundation I thought it'd be good to post about the best applicators for your foundation. Correct application is just as important as getting the right product, if applied correctly you shouldn't be able to notice the foundation at all. So, here goes...

1. The Foundation Brush
The foundation brush is most suitable for liquid foundation. Normally coming in the "cat's tongue" shape they are great for getting an even coverage and for blending. However for an even better application I would suggest going for a stippling brush. The stippling brush is a completely different shape; the end of the brush is flat and from above looks circular. The bristles are densely packed but more feathery towards the end. This allows for a HD effect. If using this brush, work your foundation into the skin in circular motions to buff as you go. The stippling brush is great for blending as well due to the way the fibres work.

Elf Studio Stipple Brush 

My favourite stippling brush has to be the ELF.co.uk brush, coming in a £3.75 it is exceptional value for money, a definite must for everyones make-up bag. Also, check out the other brushes of their site as they are all great quality!!

2. The Sponge

The sponge is best for cream products as it won't absorb the cream (most likely oil-based) product. Sponges also offer brilliant blending results. However, they do harvest bacteria after use so always wash your sponges, I'd suggest with antibacterial face wash; BodyShop do a brilliant tea tree face wash which I use to clean all my make-up brushes.

RealTechniques Miracle Complexion Sponge

I love the RealTechniques Miracle Complexion Sponge. Coming in at £5.99 at Boots it may seem expensive, but, it's design is unlike any other. Offering 3 in 1 benefits this sponge does everything.

Rounded sides - blend large areas of the face with a repeated "dabbing" or "stippling" motion

Precision tip - covers blemishes and imperfections.

Flat edge - for the contours around the eyes and nose

A definite buy if you use cream foundation. This also works well with liquid foundation. Just make sure you wash it!

3. The Kabuki Brush

The Kabuki brush is best for powder and loose powders, especially mineral foundation. The densely packed bristles allow for superior application and coverage meaning HD pixel perfect skin. 

TOPSHOP Kabuki Brush

I love the TOPSHOP Kabuki Brush, for £8 I think it is good value. The bristles are tightly packed and the tips are incredibly soft. Brilliant for applying powder foundations and also for buffing finishing powder on top of liquid. This brush is a great all rounder.

These are just my top three types of applicators, I know there are more out there.

As always, leave your comments below.

Much love

R x

  

#street style - Dark Craft Glamour

I've photographed Rachael for my blog before and when I saw her the other day I couldn't resist snapping her again. I loved her deliciously gothic inspired outfit.

The black dress looks great underneath the burgundy fluffy jumper (bonus points for use of texture!! she was so soft). I'm also loving the cut out leather ankle boots, I basically love black ankle boots (it's hard to go wrong with them).

Also, I am loving Rach's choice of burgundy lip colour, colour coordination at its best!

The Damned: TOPSHOP A/W 13 Makeup Collection

I know I blog a lot about TOPSHOP but I do work there so I have a first look at products!

Today I want to have a look at some of the A/W makeup collection. With Halloween a week today it is aptly named "The Damned". I love this collection and I already own a few products from it!

(I haven't had time to swatch these yet, but I hope too as soon as possible)



My favourite product is the Illuminating Face Powder - £14

Everyone should own a finishing powder and this is one of the best ones I've used.

The product has a  delicate fragrance and is beautiful smooth to the touch. To look at the product, at first glance has a shimmer to it and one may think it is a highlighter however, once buffed onto the skin with a powder brush you get no shimmer at all. The product does two things at once, it mattifies (which is great because no-one wants to be shiny) and it also gently diffuses light hitting the face for a perfectly smooth complexion. 

I'd say go and buy this, but be quick as I have a feeling this will sell out quickly!

Cheek and Eye Duo - £12

Named Bitten Cherry the cheek and duo is a lovely addition to the collection. The compact is split into two halves, one darker pink and one a frosty pale pink.

The darker colour works as a contour/blush when used on the cheeks and the lighter side working well as a highlighter. Also the two can be used on the eyelids for a frosty pink delicately smoky eye.

I've not used this product myself but I think has good potential.

Lips - £8

I have reviewed TOPSHOP lipstick before and I will again because they are great. At £8 each I think these lipsticks are a bargain for their quality. The three I've chosen to review are Wicked (left) Called Up (centre) and Ruthless (right)

Wicked is a lovely burgundy colour and comes in a creamy finish and gives long wearing moisture. This colour looks great with a clear gloss, for high shine vampiric drama.

Called Up has more purple undertones and the final colour is a beautiful berry colour. The finish of this product is again creamy, providing moisture throughout the day.

Ruthless is the most dramatic lipstick in the collection. It has a blue base and comes out a really deep almost black colour. Coming again in creamy finish this product won't dry your lips out. I say for ultimate drama apply a couple of layers and finish with a gentle dusting of translucent powder for a matte finish.

Velvet Lip - £10

A new product out there. Velvet Lip is a ultra pigmented lip cream drying to a powdery soft, ultimate matte finish. It comes in three colour Plush (middle) is a gorgeous purple colour. There is also Raven (right) which is a pure black and Velveteen Ribbons (left) a lovely deep red colour. 

These products dry very quickly so you need to apply as quickly as you can. First line the lips with a lip liner as close in colour to Velvet Lip as you can get and then get applying! It takes some practise as it's not like a normal lip colour but once you get it right it will look incredible.

Eye Gleam - £9

I've been waiting for TOPSHOP to make these and I hope they make more colours as I love them. These can be seen as a good dupe for the MAC paint pots. Eye Gleam is a mousse creamy eyeshadow. Coming at the moment in three colours Winter Frost (left) Bronze (centre) and Noir (right).

The products work great as a base for eyeshadows and as stand alone colours. They are heavily pigmented and have great lasting power. Winter Frost is a lovely pearlescent white colour, as well as an eyeshadow smooth a thin layer under the arch of the eyebrow for a cheeky highlight. Bronze does exactly what it says on the tin, a beautiful copper colour gives rich and warm tones. Noir is just amazing! The colour is a beautifully dark, a inky black colour with shimmer. It looks great in the light and creates a dramatic and sultry smoky eye. 

Matte Nails - £6

Matte nails are the most fashionable nails around at the moment. If you're going to paint your nails this A/W then try a matte nail varnish. Keeping in with the Halloween theme TOPSHOP have created a lovely range of deep, rich matte nail colours.

Brutal (left) is a gorgeous berry/purple colour. Drizzle (middle) is a purple-ly based steel grey (one of my favourites, it's so chic) and also Dress Up (right) a gorgeous red colour, get your vamp on!

Whichever shade you choose, you cannot go wrong with a matte nail.

Like I said I love this collection and I'm sure you will too! Let me know how you get on with any of these products if you go and get them!

Much love

R x

#ootd

This is an outfit I wore a while ago but I think it fits in with my post about the heritage trend. With what has proven to be a warm autumn so far it is still acceptable to wear a short sleeve shirt out and about. I love this green plaid shirt from TOPMAN, the material is really nice and it hangs perfectly off my shoulders. I paired it with black skinnies (standard for me) and my bargain vintage Dr Marten boots (I got them for £13!)

This outfit would look great in colder months too, just layer up with a stone coloured cardigan and denim jacket! If the weather is wet (which it most likely will be soon) why not try a wax jacket or parka.

Shirt - TOPMAN

Jeans - TOPSHOP

Boots - Dr Martens

#street style

Something I really want to do more of is street style. from now on I'll be taking my camera out with me where I go and take pictures of inspiring outfits, or outfits I find interested.

To start, I want to share with you one of my work colleagues and dear friends Rachael. She always looks great and I have taken a few photos of her in the past and I think it's the right time to share my favourite with you.

I adore this outfit. It's as simple as that. The simplicity of this outfit really shines through for me. The snakeskin 3/4 sleeve shift looks great on Rachael's frame and looks great paired with black leather cut out boots (cut out leather will be big this winter). Simple gold jewellery finishes the look off perfectly.

Dress and Boots - TOPSHOP

Rachael also has her own blog; http://www.little-sister.co.uk/
Go and check it out
R x

which red?

Every little girl has watched their mum put on red lipstick and it is my belief that every woman should own a red lipstick.  However there are so many available to but which begs the question; "Which one do you buy?". 

Buying red lipstick can be scary so the most important thing to think about is finding a shade that suits your skin-tone best. I have compiled a list of skin tones and suggested what colours will go best with this skin tone! I'll also give a few amazing products I have tried and tested myself.

The Skin Tones

Porcelain: Ultra-light skin tone which tends to have cooler undertones. This skin tone looks best with a cooler red. Try one in a plum or burgundy tint. If you're looking for something more daring I'd suggest a warm red.

Fair: A light skin tone with cool undertones also is again suited to a cooler red but don't be afraid to be bold with a warmer toned red.

Beige: A skin colour with yellower undertones which is most suited to a warmer red. 

Olive: Warm reds look best on this skin colour with green undertones. This skin tone is best for a 'true' red as well (think pillar box red/London bus red)

Caramel: Cool reds are most wearable wearable as they will contrast brilliantly with the warmer tones in your skin, but warm reds also look gorgeous too.

Dark:  Cool reds are meant for you, don't be afraid to wear a deep wine red shade as this will look incredible with your skin as it will contrast the warmer tones in your skin.

If you're unsure of your specific skin tone just remember;

Warm Skin Tones: orangey reds, warm reds and brown based reds.
Cool Skin Tones: pink tones of red, berry reds, brick reds, bluer tones of red and plum tones.

The Lipsticks

TOPSHOP £8

I really like this lipstick. They are really well pigmented and come in a variety of finishes including, matte, creamy and velvet. The range has about 6-8 shades with warm and cool tones. My favourite one is probably 'Screen Siren' - it's a really lovely true red and will look great on everyone!

M.A.C £15

I'm ever so slightly obsessed with M.A.C products. Mainly due to their sheer number of shades, not just in red but in every colour! They are richly pigmented and again come in variety of textures and finsihes. They really do have staying power as well, and will last even longer if used with a good lip liner. My favourite shade is "Ruby Woo" it is their classic red shade. Wear it with pride.

Chanel £25

A timeless favourite with many women. Chanel have been famous for making the ultimate red lipstick. There moto; "One red, one style". Yes, it's £25 but it will be a true investment. It has a radiant and satiny finish and brilliant staying power. The shade I suggest; 'Incandescente (97)' as it will suit all skin 

tones and go perfectly at any occasion!

There are of course many other brands to choose from out there but these are 3 that I have used in the past. Feel free to comment below with any other recommendations.

Much love

R x 

Return to Tradition

Now that summer is over, we see a turn away from the bright colours and harsh clean lines that we saw with S/S13. This trend is all about cosy warmth that you associate with winter. Time to think check shirts, Aran knitwear, boots and a big overcoat. Traditional heritage pieces and the great British outdoors influence the trend and although this suggests the countryside (which may seem dull) the trend effortlessly stylish whilst being practical for the time of year. Layering is perfect to create a look for this trend. My best suggestion would be to wear multiple thin layers rather than just one or two big ones as you can take off or add on depending on how you feel. Key pieces to look out for cable knit jumpers; stick to muted colours, like stones, burgundy’s, rusts and olives. Denim is also but think raw indigo denim or darker blues, these look amazing when worn with the brown boot. Boots are important for this trend and A/W 13 sees a thicker soled more hardwearing design. This trend will allow you to go out and enjoy what the great British outdoors in style.

As it's not too cold at the moment I haven't layered too much in this outfit. I have layered however by teaming a flannel check shirt with denim shirt. I have paired this with my staple black skinny jeans and green Dr Martin books.

This is one of my favourite trends as it's wintery and cosy so I will post more outfits/ways to wear over the next few weeks.

Check shirt - TOPMAN

Denim Shirt - Vintage Wrangler

Jeans - TOPSHOP

Shoes - Dr Martins

#ootd

Had a monochrome day at work yesterday which I think is the perfect time for simple, classic styling. For this outfit I paired a crisp, white, oversized shirt with super skinny black jeans and black suede tassel slippers. For accessories I kept it simple and added a small set of collar tips!

Shirt - Vintage
Jeans - TOPSHOP
Shoes - TOPMAN
Collar Tips - TOPMAN

#ootd

Yesterday I wore this. I paired the oversized all over print cross tee with super skinny Leigh jeans and black "Vans" style shoes.

t-shirt and shoes from TOPMAN (www.topman.com)
jeans from TOPSHOP (www.topshop.com)