Amazing Advertisers | January

Hi everyone! So its that time of the month again when I introduce you to the lovely ladies that have been over in my sidebar for the past month. There's some great blogs featured this month and a fabulous clothing store so sit back, grab yourselves a cup of tea and discover some amazing places on the inter-webs! I read each and every one of these blogs myself (they are all some of my faves!), I adore the clothing website (total glamour!) and I'm sure you will love them all just as much as I do. Each of the girls have left links to their blogs/website and various other social networking sites you can contact them on and I've also linked to their blogs/shop in the title of their paragraphs so make sure you go over and say hi - it will make their day and mine!

So without further ado, let me introduce you to ...

Becky from Beauty Becky

My name is Becky and I started my blog, Beauty Becky, in March 2012 (nearly one year ago now!) I first started watching Youtube beauty videos about five years ago and through them I discovered beauty blogs which became a huge hobby of mine to read. I love finding new brands and products to try, which my bank balance probably doesn’t love so much! 

I thought it would be really fun to start my own beauty blog and be a part of the lovely beauty community. My blog mainly consists of reviews on beauty products, with monthly favourites and a couple of outfit posts too! At the end of December I posted my first Youtube video! I had wanted to make videos for a while and I am so glad I finally filmed and uploaded one. Although it’s only been one month, I love Youtube too and it’s so exciting! 

I am currently in my last year of College and planning to train as a makeup artist in the next couple of years which I am so excited about! Another hobby of mine is photography which I have always enjoyed and constantly taking photos for my blog is making me love it even more! Very recently I redesigned my blog so if you do have a look at it then please let me know what you think – I would love to know! I have also just opened up a design shop which is very exciting! 

I absolutely love it when a follower sends me a message if they want a chat so please feel free to contact me! 

My blog is www.beautybecky.blogspot.com

My Youtube is http://www.youtube.com/beautybeckyblog

Twitter - @beautybeckyblog

Facebook – beautybeckyblog

Instagram - @beautybeckyblog

Email – beautybeckyblog@gmail.com

Chelsea from Through Chelsea's Eyes

Hi my names Chelsea & I'm the blogger behind ThroughChelseasEyes.com.

I decided to start my blog back in march 2012, I really wanted to go to university and study to become a primary school teacher but i suffer with really bad migraines so this isn't possible at the moment and i began to find myself getting stuck in a little bit of a rut, feeling down and basically just not myself. So I went with my love of beauty & fashion.

Starting Through Chelsea's Eyes has given me something positive to focus my time on! I even took the plunge and decided to connect a youtube channel to my blog, i really enjoy sitting down and filming videos to share with you guys!

I love Beauty & Fashion and basically I just love blogging i can't believe how quickly its become a huge part of my life, i just love getting my camera and taking pretty photographs to sit and write with! There's nothing better than all the friends I've made through blogging, the blogging community is so friendly and here's a list of places to find me if you ever would like to pop over and say hello! :)

Youtube - Youtube.com/ThroughChelseasEyes
Twitter - @ChelseaYates1
Facebook - ThroughChelseasEyes
Instagram - @chelseayates1
Bloglovin - ThroughChelseasEyes

Lots of Love Chelsea from Through Chelsea's Eyes

♥

Lucy from LucyRosex

My name is Lucy, I'm a 20 year old student hidden away in the tiny little countryside everyone calls the Lake District. I set up my blog in 2012 after a couple of very obsessive years reading blog after blog and watching video after video. I became inspired to start up my own and have never looked back.

Lucy Rose x is all about beauty, fashion and life. You can expect to see reviews, hauls, OTD's, and general chit chat. This year I am definitely going to try to write more life orientated posts, especially about the social stigma which is mental illness after receiving so much comfort from other people's - Kayleigh being one herself.

So if I haven't put you off already, come over and say hi! I love this community and enjoy nothing more than interacting with my followers and fellow bbloggers, so don't be afraid to drop a comment or a tweet! I look forward to seeing you!

Loves and hugs xxx

Blog - http://lucyrosex.blogspot.co.uk/
Twitter- @lucyrosegreen
Instagram- lucyrosegreen

Leanne from LeanneMarie

My name is Leanne and I blog over at Leanne-Marie.com . Inspired like many others by other bloggers and youtubers, I decided I wanted to share my thoughts and discoveries on fashion and beauty with the world too! Two and a bit years ago Leanne-Marie was born, and I have to say I’m really pleased I bit the bullet and did it. Blogging has become a full time hobby for me, I just love it!

My blog has everything from beauty reviews, outfit posts, wishlists and sometimes a lifestyle post thrown in for good measure! (and who knows maybe I’ll treat you to some snaps of my wedding later on in the year once I’ve tied the knot!) There’s something for everyone really! This year I hope to start getting myself stuck in with my Youtube Channel , I just need some words of encouragement from you guys and ideas on what to film, so any suggestions are welcome!

I love to interact with my readers whether it be in the comments of my posts or over on twitter. My twitter handle is @Leannemariexo. My phone is practically glued to my hand so expect a quick tweet back! I really enjoy taking part in the #bbloggers chats every Wednesday & Sunday as I find it’s a fab way to discover some new reads.

Have a read of my blog here: http://www.leanne-marie.com

Like me on Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Leanne-Mariecom

Subscribe to my Youtube channel here:  http://www.youtube.com/user/Leannemarie17

Send me a tweet here: http://twitter.com/#!/LeanneMariexo

Rule1 Store

Rule1 is a fast growing on-line fashion store with the young & stylish female in mind. Since opening at the start of 2012 Rule1 has become a favourite among celebrities with our clothing spotted in glossy mags, news papers and on TV!

We have always believed that Rule 1 is to Look The Part. We like clothes that are unusual & on trend with that extra WOW factor so that you can ensure you are the best dressed at every occasion. 

Rule1 offers the perfect combination of quality & price ~ all beautifully wrapped in tissue paper & delivered to you speedily, because we know what it's like to need something NOW!

Rule 1 brings you star style, fantastic quality & ultra glamorous womenswear. We pride ourselves on exceptional customer service & are happy to assist you with your personal shopping needs so that you choose the right clothing to make you look and feel amazing!

Shop here: http://rule1store.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Rule1Store
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/rule1store

Zoe from Zoebowx

My blog is all about beauty, lifestyle and fashion. I study fashion and textiles at university, so i should really write about fashion the most but i dont. I ramble about products i love and sometimes the ones that i dont love so much. Sometimes i write about my life and give an overview on everything going on.

I love interacting with my followers, so be sure to pop over and say hi. I only started my blog last November, but i am so far of how far its come and what i have achieved. I am always on tweeting about something everyday so be sure to pop over. I am always talking to others on here, so if you want to contact me, just tweet me and i will of course tweet you back. Also, instagram is pretty much my life, so head over their to see what i get up to on a day to day basis.

I also have tumblr where i am showing my fitness side and an online food diary. I like to think of it as fitspiration. Have to say, personally its working well for me. 

blog - zoebowx.blogspot.com

twitter - https://twitter.com/zoebowx

instagram - zoegrace93

tumblr - zoebowx

I hope you enjoyed getting to know a little bit more about each of these fabulous ladies! I've thoroughly enjoyed having them featured on my blog and I will be sad to see them go *sob*! If you like them just as much as I do don't forget to go tell them and if you want your blog to be featured here in March, you can click here to read about the advertising packages I offer!

Lots of Love,

Rimmel Apocalips | Review & Swatches

Hi Ladies! For the past couple of weeks the beauty world has gone mad for Rimmels latest lip offereing 'Apocalips'. They have been featured all over blog land and lots of beauty bloggers rushed out to buy them when they were released last Wednesday. I was one of these people too and immediately ordered some on the Boots website as soon as they were released. (Is that sad?) They retail at £5.99 each which I think is quite a bargain anyway but even better, Boots are currently offering 3 for 2 across Rimmel products so I managed to get 3 for £12.00 - what a bargain!

If you don't know what they are or this is the first time you are reading about them, they are a classed as a 'lip lacquer'. Now I'm not sure what the technical meaning of this is but they way I'd describe them is a creamy lipstick applied in the style of a gloss. I've never tried anyting like this before but I hear they are a dupe for the YSL glossy stains and I must admitt I struggled to only pick three as quite frankly I want them ALL. The three I decided on are Celestial, Apocaliptic and Big Bang. As I'm sure you all know by now, I adore bright lips so Apocaliptic (a bright fuschia) and Big Bang (a bright red) were clearly going to be at the top of my 'must purchase' list. However, I also wanted to try a more natural shade that I could wear to work so thats where Celestial comes into the picture, a gorgeous rose pink.

So, now we've established what they are and the shades I picked, I'll tell you my thoughts. Firstly, I love the name Apocalips. I mean who doesn't love a play on words and a good name like this certainly draws my attention towards a product. Secondly, the packaging is lovely. I love the crystal-like lid and the fact you can see each colour through the end of the tube. I also really like the doe-foot applicator as its so easy to use and I managed to get very precise application without the need for lip liner.

As for the product itself, on first impressions, I am blown away. I know that probably sounds completely dramatic but these are seriously the most amazing lip product I have tried in a long time. Not only do they apply like a dream but the creamy formula and pigmentation is second to none. When I first applied them to my lips I couldn't believe how much colour pay off one swipe achieved. In the photos I've included above, I only used one coat and managed to achieve completely opaque coverage. They are also smooth and glossy when first applied which feels lovely on the lips. However, I wouldn't say they are moisturising as such so thats one thing to consider if you prefer more moisturising lip products.

Another thing I was seriously impressed by is the staying power. I wore 'Apocaliptic' for a day out yesterday and it stayed on for hours. Admittedly the glossy effect does wear off after a little while but that didn't bother me too much and even when it did start to fade off, my lips were still stained underneath with a bright pop of colour.

Overall I absolutely adore these and if you follow me on Instagram (kayleighjcouture), I'm sure you have seen me gushing about how amazing these are. If you're looking for some affordable yet high quality lip products, these are for you. I'm already looking forward to wearing one of these shades on an upcoming night out this weekend. I already know it will look amazing!

Have you tried Apocalips? Do you love them as much as I do? I think I'm going to have to buy the whole collection!

Lots of Love,

Products I've Used Up | Empties

Hi Guys! I haven't done an empties post for a while now so I thought I'd show you a collection of products I've used up over the past couple of months. I really enjoy reading these posts as I like to know someones thoughts after using a product for a while and getting a real feel for how it works and wether its worth repurchasing. So grab yourselves a cuppa and see what it is I liked, or maybe even disliked about each of these products ...

Radox 'Brazilian Fusion' Shower Therapy

I realise shower gel isn't the most exciting product in the world but this one is so lovely and smells just like sun tan lotion and holidays. Its very moisturising on the skin and it was lovely to sniff this beautiful summer scent in a morning. It certainly distracted me from the snow and rain outside.

Garnier Ultra Dry Deodrant

Okay, another fairly boring product, deodorant. However, this deodrant is the best one ever. You might be thinking 'deodrant is just deodrant' and I used to feel the same way but this one has completely changed my mind. The bottle huge meaning it lasts forever (seriously, this took months to finish even with daily use) and it has the most incredible fresh scent. As well as smelling amazing, it also does its job and stopped me from being a sweaty betty (ew!). I also love how the scent lasts throughout the day and doesn't fade instantly like most deodrants. When you run our of your current deodrant, try this one and I promise you will love it just as much as I do.

John Freida Full Repair Shampoo

I bought the John Frieda Full Repair Shampoo and Conditioner after reading lots of great blog reviews about the range. I used them in conjunction with each other for around a month and I'm not convinced they deserve such high praise. Don't get me wrong, they smell lovely, lather nicely and do their job but various reviews claimed they would completely transform my hair. I was expecting them to 'repair' my hair like it states on the bottle and also combat any dryness but in all honesty, they did the exact same thing as most shampoos and conditioners. I would buy them again as they do the job but if you're thinking of getting them to repair your damaged hair, don't expect miracles.

Avene Light Hydrating Cream

I received this little sample from Avene after signing up to their website and although it looks tiny, it actually lasted a couple of weeks with daily use. Not only does this moisturiser smell amazing but it also left my skin feeling soft and hydrated without any oily or greasy residue. It sinks into the skin almost instantly and I thoroughly enjoyed using it. If it wasn't for the ten million other moisturisers I'm currently using, I would definitely repurchase this.

No7 Protect & Perfect Night Cream

This is another sample size product I received in a No7 gift set and much like the Avene moisturiser it smells lovely, is light on the skin and left my skin feeling hydrated. I've always rated No7 highly in terms of skincare products and this one is no exception. Again, I would definitely buy the full size version.

Lee Stafford Hair Growth Treatment

I bought two tubs of this on the Boots website when they were offering 3 for £12 on Lee Stafford products. I thought this was the perfect opportunity to try this much raved about product without splashing out £7.99 for one tub (pretty pricey!). I have completely finished both tubs now and although I think it smells great and conditions my hair nicely, I think the 'hair growth' name is misleading. Put it this way, your hair isn't going to grow over night just by using this product. Yes it may make your hair healthier which will then lead to growth but don't be fooled into thinking its a miracle worker. I'm still on the fence about wether I'd repurchase it as I do think £7.99 is expensive for a conditioner that doesn't last very long at all. The tub says to use an 'egg' sized amount each time and as I have long hair I found I needed even more products and absolutely flew through both tubs in a couple of weeks. Not good!

Soap & Glory Sugar Crush Body Scrub

I reviewed this on my blog a while ago here and ever since purchasing it has become my favourite body scrub of all time. I'd go as far as saying this is my favourite scented beauty product ever (brown sugar and lime, mmm!) and it leaves my skin feeling super soft and smooth. I got another one of these in my Soap & Glory 'Best of All' set just before Christmas so I don't need to repurchase just yet but when I've used my current one up, I'll be heading straight to Boots. I also want to get the body wash and body butter versions too so I can have this this amazing scent on my body at all times 8).

TRESemme Touchable Finish Hairspray

I don't have an awful lot to say about this other than its my go to hairspray and I have repurchased it over and over again. It sets my hair perfectly without giving it that awful 'cardboard' texture that some hairsprays can. I'm currently using the full size version but I always buy these mini ones for nights out as they are the perfect size to pop in my clutch bag.

Caudalie Cleansing Water

If you read my blog regularly I'm pretty sure I don't need to say much about why I love this product so much. I have reviewed it in full here if you want to read about it in more detail but to summarise its perfect for removing makeup and refreshing my skin. It smells delicious too. I've already purchased the bigger bottle and nearly used it all up, I'm addicted!

Avene Thermal Spring Water

I bought this product whilst I was over in Australia as I thought it would be a nice refreshing product to use whilst it was hot outside. I didn't expect much from it in all honesty as I figured it was essentially just water in a can but it is actually much more than that. I found that it soothed my skin exceptionally well, especially if it was feeling sensitive and it also worked amazingly to set my makeup and give my skin a dewy finish. I will definitely be buying the bigger size in time for summer and holidays.

Toni & Guy Reconstruction Mask

I bought this hair mask on a whim when I needed a new one and liked the look of it. Toni & Guy isn't a hair brand I opt for very often, purely because its more on the pricey side but when this was on offer in Boots for £4.99, I thought why not? It did a fabulous job at conditioning my hair and leaving it soft and smooth, it smells great and lasted a long time. Overall, a big thumbs up and I would definitely repurchase.

MAC Baby Sparks Dazzleglass

One thing that really annoys me about the MAC Dazzleglasses are the fact that they are SO sticky. One thing I hate is when my hair sticks to my lips and these lip glosses are just a disaster waiting to happen when its windy outside. However, I do love how shimmy they are and they are great for a night out to a restaurant, pub or club when there is no wind around 8). Baby Sparks is a gorgeous pale baby pink shade that looks great over most lip colours and the shimmer it gives the lips is just incredible. As I said, this is more of a 'night out' lip product and not one I'd wear on a daily basis but for night time use its lovely.

MAC Pink Lemonade Lipglass

Pink Lemonade is one of my favourite shades of lipglass and one that I wore to death last summer. Its the perfect peachy pink shade and it looks great with a tan. Although this is still sticky like the Dazzleglass, I would repurchase it as the colour and longevity are great. 

I hope you enjoyed reading about the products I've used up, have you tried any of them? I'd love to hear your thoughts!

Lots of Love,

Lavish Alice Guest Post #2 | Disco Geek

Hi Ladies! Today I'd like to share my second guest post for Lavish Alice with you and its all about DISCO PANTS! Now unless you've been living under a rock for the past few months, I'm sure you've all heard of disco pants. However, if you haven't, as you can see from the photos above, they are shiny high-waisted pants/leggings. Think wet look leggings but thicker and hight waisted. You get the idea? The craze surrounding these pants started with American Apparel and their £75 pair but if like me you can't afford to spend that amount of money, cheaper alternatives are welcomed with open arms.This dupe pair from Lavish Alice are identical to their more expensive counterpart and only cost a fraction of the price at £24.00.

At first I wasn't sure if I could pull off such a tight, fitted piece of clothing but I have to say, they aren't as full on as I expected them to be. I found that they gave my figure a nice silhouette shape and even better, they are SO comfy. I got them in my normal size 10 and they fit like a glove. I thought I might of had to go up a size but they aren't as teeny tiny as I expected them to be. Considering they are tight fitting, I expected them to be restrictive and uncomfortable but they are the complete opposite. I also love that they can be worn both day and night making them a great versatile piece of clothing. For a casual look I'd pair them with a loose fitting tshirt/jumper and boots and for a more glam look, I'd tuck a glitzy top into them and pop on some heels. In the photo above I've gone for a more 'in-between' look by pairing them with my Topshop Geek tshirt and plain black heels. I guess this is more of a 'going to the pub' kind of outfit than a night out on the town but either way, you get the idea.

Overall I absolutely love them and can see myself getting lots of wear out of them.

Do you like the disco pants trend? You can find this Lavish Alice pair here.

Lots of Love,

Being an Organised Blogger | My Tips & Advice

Hi guys! I thought it might be fun to write a 'how to be an organised blogger' post as I'm always looking for new ways to remain organised and stress free whilst working a 9-5 job, maintaining my blog and having a social life. I mean let's face it, as much as we all love blogging (we wouldn't be doing it if we didn't), wel all have lives and busy schedules outside of our blogs too. I've chatted to many girls on twitter who say their main blogging struggle is to remain organised and stick to a certain number of posts a week. Now don't get me wrong, there is definitely no set rules for how often we post, it's entirely up to the individual, but I think the majority of us want to keep out readers updated with fresh posts to read week in week out. After a few twitter chats on this topic, constant scribbling of blog related 'stuff'' on post-it notes, notepads and even my diary, I decided its time to get organised.

With this being said, let me introduce you to my new book for all things blogging - Kayleigh's Blogging Book! I've been meaning to buy a notebook I can dedicate to blogging for such a long time now and it's always been one of those things I've never got round too. However, after scouring around online for a website that would personalise a notepad for a reasonable price, I came across Getting Personal. Now I'd never heard of this company before but their well presented website instantly stood out to me and they offer a huge range of personalised goodies for very reasonable prices. After browsing through the endless design options (all amazingly cool by the way), I decided on this cute heart print notebook and popped 'Kayleigh's Blogging Book' on the front for a nice personal touch. I was so impressed with how easy it was to create, it literally took me minutes and even better it only cost £8.99. Delivery was super quick too and it arrived only two days after placing my order. However, the thing I loved the most about this website (you might of seen my Instagram photo already), was the amazing email they send me to confirm my order. I've popped a screenshot from my iPhone above for you all to see and I was just so amazed by how lovely and thoughtful it is. I realise that its essentially a computer generated image that has my name on it and I do realise that it will be sent to every single customer but still, it made me feel kind of special. Well done Getting Personal, I commend your company for top marketing skills!

So, back to being an organised blogger. I thought that while I was showing you all my new 'blog book', I would offer a few tips on things I currently do to remain an organised blogger. These are just my tips and advice, you can take them or leave them, I realise there isn't a set way to blog and that we are all different but its always nice to share advice and help each other out from time to time.

1. Take your photos in bulk

What I mean by this is to grab a selection of products you know you want to post about over the next couple of weeks and take photos of them all in one go. I usually set aside an hour or so at the weekend to do this as its the only time I can actually get some decent natural light. Once I've taken a selection of photos I'll save them all into my 'blog photos' file on my laptop so they are all ready and waiting next time I want to write a post. It saves me so much time and I would really recommend giving this a try if you haven't already.

2. Make notes

If you haven't already guessed by the fact I've bought a 'blogging book', I love to make notes. I always have some sort of pen and paper in my handbag so I can jot down any ideas for blog posts that pop into my head. I also write lists of photographs I need to take, reviews i need to have posted by a certain date, products I'd like to try and so on. The amount of things I write about is endless, anything blog related gets wrote about. I also take full advantage of the 'notes' section on my iphone so I can make notes on the go. I sometimes write posts in there too if I haven't got acess to my laptop and then I email it to myself and copy it onto my blog. I also find it really helps to have notes jotted down when I'm struggling for post ideas as there will more than likely always be a random idea wrote down somewhere.

3. Write draft posts

So what I mean by this is when you have a spare few hours, why not write 2 or 3 posts in one go so you have them ready to publish throughout the week? I realise some people like to be 'in the moment' when they write, myself included, but if I know I have a super busy week ahead of me, there's no harm in writing a few drafts at the weekend when I have spare time. After all, I can always tweak them and add new things on the day I want to publish the post but it certainly takes a bit of pressure off me knowing I can log into blogger and have a few posts ready and waiting to be published.

4. Make use of your lunch hour

If you're a full-time working lady like myself you will know how difficult it can be to find the energy to write a blog post after a long day at work. As much as I love writing my blog, if I'm tired from a long day at work, all I want to do is snuggle up on the sofa with a cuppa. However, what I've been doing lately is writing up blog posts on my lunch break. I work in an office so after I've polished off my lunch, I log onto blogger and get writing. I don't mind doing this as I find it a relaxing and enjoyable way to pass the time. It breaks my working day up nicely too and gives me something to look forward to.

5. You don't need lots of money to blog

I'm sure most of you at some point, myself included, have thought 'I need to get that new product to blog about but I can't afford it'. I've had this thought run through my head so many times, especially when I was unemployed, and it is disheartening when you see other bbloggers posting about new products. However, what I've come to learn is that you don't NEED every new product thats released or every new collection to write and maintain a fabulous blog. There are so many posts you can write without having to spend any money and a few of my faves include favourites, outfit posts, photo diarys, nail posts, wish lists, tutorials and general chit chatty catch ups. All of these posts can be created with products you already own or no products at all which means you save yourself some cash whilst still keeping your blog updated. I always try to plan a few of these posts for those times my bank balance is looking a bit drab. So what I'm trying to say is - don't feel pressured to spend lots of money ladies, we aren't all millionaires who have Chanel coming out of our ears. Just remember that next time you're feeling a bit unmotivated to blog due to a lack of cash or new products!

6. Don't put too much pressure on yourself

This one is probably fairly obvious but the worst thing we can do as bloggers is put too much pressure on ourselves to post 'X' amount of times per week. Personally, I enjoy posting 3-4 times a week, it works for me. However, if you only have time to do 1-2 posts per week, that's fine too, don't beat yourself up about it. I went through a stage not too long ago of feeling like I needed to have a new post up most days but I realised that was just impossible for me when I work full-time. You should only blog when you want to blog, don't feel pressured by other bloggers and always blog because you enjoy it, never because you 'have' to. After all, blogging is a hobby for most of us so if we can't blog for a few days or we want to take a week off, so be it. I'm sure your readers will understand and will still be waiting when you return from your bloggy break!

So there we have it, my top tips for staying organised. I realise they won't all work for everyone but for me, I find them great for keeping a balance between my job, social life and blog. After all, the last thing I would ever want is for my blog to become stressful and unenjoyable. Blogging should be fun and with a little bit of organisation in place, it will remain that way.

I hope you enjoyed this post (sorry its a super long one) and if you have any other tips or advice you can share, please do leave a comment below!

Lots of Love,

Topshop Lipstick | Wicked

Hi Ladies! Today I'm posting about a recent addition to my ever growing lipstick collection. Let me introduce you to 'Wicked' from Topshop. I received it as a Christmas gift from my mum after I spotted it on the Topshop website and was intrigued by the black packaging. As you all know, typical Topshop packaging is white (and extremely sensitive to dirt) with stripes around the lid. However, this one is from the 'Dark Side of Nude' collection and I liked the idea of having a jazzy looking black version in my collection. It might seem superficial but hey, who doesn't like pretty packaging? When I unwrapped it on Christmas morning I wasn't disappointed with the packaging but I also discovered its a nightmare to photograph. As the lipstick and packaging are both dark, my camera was having trouble picking up detail so I do apologise for the shoddy photographs. I hope you can still get the idea.

I also liked the idea of adding a dark berry colour to my lip collection and this looked like the perfect shade. In the tube and online it looks super duper dark, a touch too dark for my liking but after googling some reviews (as us bloggers do!), I realised that its much less scary once applied and transfers onto the lips as a lovely deep purpley pink. Its still much darker than other lipsticks I own but not too dark that it makes me look like the devils child 8).

I wore it over the Christmas period for a night out with friends (pictured above) and I think it worked perfectly with a neutral eye for a touch of added glamour.The formula of the lipstick is perfect, it isn't too matte or too glossy (somewhere inbetween) and it has the same beautiful creamy and pigmented effect as the standard lipsticks. The staying power isn't amazing, I probably had to top up every couple of hours but I think thats to be expected with a moisturising formula and it didn't bother me all that much. If anything, I enjoyed whipping this little gem out of my clutch bag to re-apply.

Overall this is a fantastic lipstick and the perfect colour if your into the berry lip trend. I've tried finding it on the Topshop website but it seems to of vanished, boo! However, this collection is still available in stores and a few bits and bobs are still on the website so they might get it back in stock. Fingers crossed!

  Do you like dark lips? What do you think of this one?


Lots of Love,

A Little Rant | What Size Am I Really?!

Image: weheartit (Edited by me)

Hi Ladies! So, as the title states, this post is going to be a bit of a rant. a bit spontaneous and a little collection of my thoughts all spilled out into one little blog post. Now I realise my blog mainly contains reviews, outfits, favourites and so on but from time to time I like to throw in something a bit more personal to mix things up and keep the readers of my blog 'entertained' so to speak. Now I'm not going to have a full blown 'rant' as such, don't worry, my blog isn't a place for negativity but what I am going to do is share my opinion on clothing and the little number that comes with them. Yes that's right, pesky clothing sizes. 

Okay so imagine the scene. You walk into a shop and spot the most perfect pair of jeans, you pick up your 'size' and wander off to the fitting room only to discover they are either giving you an overflowing muffin top or are so loose you could fit two of you in there. In this situation, what do you do? If they are too small do you immediately think you've gained weight and put them back? Or if they are too big do you buy the size down and leave the shop feeling wonderful? I know for a fact, most of you reading this and most women can relate to this situation and these feelings when out shopping and buying clothes.The reason I've decided to write this post is because on a few occasions over the past few weeks, I've left a number of hight street shops feeling completely down about myself and my appearance thanks to their clothes becoming increasingly smaller. Just for reference, I'm a size 8 up top and a size 10 on the bottom. I've been this size for as long as I can remember and have always been lucky in the fact that my weight doesn't fluctuate. So, my question is, why do some size 10 jeans not even pull up over my knees? I mean I've not gained any weight what so ever (trust me, I've weighed myself at the gym), all of my current size 10 jeans fit so why is it when I go shopping, I am left feeling like I've gained a couple of stone overnight? My answer to this ladies is clothing shops and their ridiculous variations in sizing.

I can almost garuntee if I went into every shop on the high street and tried on the same size pair of jeans in each, I would come away with a whole host of sizes, none of which truly reflect my figure or my shape. Now I realise 'size doesn't matter' which I agree, it doesn't, but who wants to go out shopping only to be faced with a sense of dread that we might of been eating one too many chocolates and have crept up a dress size? Okay it's great when we try our usual size on only to find its too big but again, is that a true representation of our ACTUAL size or is that just a brands ploy to make us feel good about ourselves and therefore buy more from their shop? This is what I would like to know so if any of you work in retail or the fashion industry and can share some light on why there seems to be no set sizes across the high street, please enlighten me.

In my opinion, there needs to be some kind of 'standard' set in place, generic measurements for each size so we all know what size we are and avoid being frustrated while out shopping. There has been numerous occasions when I've tried something on that I would really like to buy only to be disappointed by an ill-fitting piece of clothing staring back at me in the mirror. Even better, why can't shops make 'in- between' sizes so there is always something to fit every shape and size? I really hate that we are judged by the 'number' on our jeans. Who cares if someone is a size 4 or a size 24, everyone is different and everyone should be able to walk into a shop, pick up an item of clothing and try it on with ease.

I realise I'm completely rambling but this is what happens when I feel the need to write about something suddenly 8). Basically what I'm trying to say is, I wish clothing was true to size. I mean let's face it, the likes of Topshop clearly only design their jeans for supermodel type girls with absolutely no hips or bum and the rest of us are left feeling 'meh' because we can't even fit one leg into our normal size. What makes it even worse is that sometimes even the same size can vary. I once bought some size 10 Topshop jeans that fit me perfectly and were exceptionally comfy so I decided to order another pair in a different colour. However, when the second pair arrived they were not only slightly tight but ridiculous small to the point I couldn't even get them past my ankles. I mean, come on, how does that make sense when the other pair fit me perfectly? Don't get me wrong, I adore Topshop and buy a lot from them but when it comes to jeans I just know they are a no-go. I actually found a very interesting article on The Guardian's website a while ago that shows a chart of various high street shops and the measurements of their clothing sizes. The difference in measurements from shop to shop really shocked me and prooved that its not my body changing, the shops just can't make their minds up about which size is which. You can have a read of that article here if you're interested.

So that's just a bit of food for thought their ladies on the trials ad tribulations of finding the right size. Its one of those things that really annoys me and I constantly find myself thinking 'I wonder what my true dress size is'. I bet most of you reading this post have experienced this at some point too and if you haven't, your one of the lucky ones. In my opinion - I would love to walk into a shop, know my size, try it on and buy it stress free. The hassle that comes with trying on ten different pairs of jeans until I find the perfect fit certainly ruins a shopping experience for me and isn't shopping meant to be a fun and enjoyable way to spend time with our family and friends or a day off work? 

Do you find clothing sizes vary from shop to shop? Does it annoy you or do you not mind buying a different size as long as the item looks good?

I'd love to know your thoughts on this!

Lots of Love,