Smokey and Sultry - the ultimate Cheryl Cole look!

So I was watching a few music videos on Youtube earlier, wasting a bit of valuable time when I should have really been revising! Good student as you can tell! I went through all the latest releases, from Will.I.Am and Britney's Scream and Shout to James Arthur's Impossible. Then on came Cheryl Cole's newest single Ghetto Baby (see bottom of page). Not only quite a good release by the Girls Aloud beauty but something about her video captured my attention. 

You may be thinking was it the staging? Her dancing? Her backing dancers? Okay not gonna lie Tre- Cheryl's latest beau isn't exactly something you wouldn't not look at and you wouldn't be blamed if your eye did casually wander and stare at him. But that wasn't it. In fact, the one thing I couldn't quite stop looking at was Cheryl herself. Now that might not seem unusual, she is stunning. But one thing in particular, her make-up! 

Cheryl has what can only be described as the ultimate smokey and sultry look! Well I think so anyway and something that I would quite like to try myself! I love really making my eyes stand out as I think it's one of the nicest looks! It's something I've done myself (or attempted) thousands of times. But I just think Cheryl is one of those who just looks incredible with the look! Plus I think the added sparkle of the smokey grey eye-shadow adds that extra glam-ness to it! Those of you that know me, know I love a bit of glitter! 

I've been searching for what I think would be the perfect products to recreate Ms Cole's look. So that you can get her ultra glam style too!

First up, this is something you need to have a good base to get the ultimate flawless finish. I'd start with a primer like the 17 Photo Flawless Primer £4.99 from Boots. Primers help your foundation glide on much easier and ensures a smooth base as well as helps keep your skin feeling fresh and not overloaded.  Next you need a good foundation that will brighten and luminate your skin, while still giving a good coverage that isn't too greasy or heavy. A good one for this is the Benefit Hello Flawless Oxygen Wow! Brightening Foundation £24.50 from Boots (although available from other retailers too). I particularly like this one as it's oil-free so doesn't give that greasy look but yet still gives you a healthy glow. It's got an SPF 25 and gives a medium coverage but still feels incredibly light weight. I know it's a little more on the expensive side but you only need a very small amount to look flawless, plus sometimes it pays for quality!

If you feel you need it you can also dab a very small amount of concealer under your eyes. Just to ensure no dark circles are visable! We might be going for a smokey eye look but not underneath the eyes! The Rimmel Wake Me Up Concealer £5.49 from Boots (available from other retailers too) should be all you need to do the trick! Next I'd add a small dusting of powder on the chin, nose and a little across the forehead just to ensure no excessive shininess, I find the Natural Collection Pressed Powder £1.99 from Boots is all you need for this. Plus at that price you can't go wrong really!

Now to get those stunning cheekbones that Cheryl shows off so brilliantly. To help accentuate yours first apply a sweeping of blusher just under the cheekbone in particular. You can help highlight your cheeks more easily by sucking in your cheeks when applying. A nice blusher to try is the FashionistA Mono Blusher £4.00 from Superdrug. Personally I'd choose a shade such as Coral, however for those who are quite pale might favour a lighter more pinky shade such as Glowing. Then to really make your cheekbones stand out add a small amount of a highlighter like L'Oreal Lumi Magique Highlighting Pen £6.49 from Superdrug (available from other retailers too) just above them.

Now on to the eyes them self, first sweep Barry M Black Eyeshadow £4.49 from Boots (plus other retailers) across your lids ensuring all is covered. Then top lightly with 2True Eyeshadow Dazzlers No.6 Glitter Silver 99p from Superdrug to get that oh-so glam smokey eye effect. Next use a kohl eyeliner pencil such as Bourjois Kohl and Contour Noir Expert in Black £4.99 from Boots (and other retailers too) all around the eyes to really draw definition to them. 

To achieve Cheryl's ultimate fluttery lashes use some natural looking lashes such as Eylure Girls Aloud Limited Edition Lashes £6.10 from Boots perfect for getting that glam star look she sports so often. Then fill out with L'Oreal False Lash Telescopic Mascara in Black £7.99 from Boots, something Ms Cole herself endorses! To fulfill the star's dramatic eye finish!

I think it's safe to say you will look just as stunning if not better than Chezza herself if you give this a try! Be good to hear if any of you do! 

Emily xx

Pantene Pro-V’s Deep Moisturising Soufflé - the new hair miracle?

Hello,

Boxing Day and one of the occasions
 I've used my curling tongs this festive period!

Okay it's the second day in to the new year and I feel I can't already let yous down on the promise I made yesterday! I assured you I would post much more regularly so I shouldn't really fail on this promise just one day in should I? Well knowing me I actually probably could! But not today! I will stick to my word, no matter what the circumstance! (Okay in some circumstances e.g. I'm abducted by aliens/ lost in the jungle / trapped in cave I won't be posting. Although unlikely, think how amazing a read that would be though...)


.Anyway today I wanted to tell you about what I can actual call a miracle worker! Over the Christmas period I think I have well and truly fried my hair to oblivion with the amount of heated styling tools I've used on it these past few weeks! Normally I'm really good and often leave my hair natural, as its so thin and fine already I wouldn't want to damage it anymore! Plus since having hair extensions weaved in to my hair I've been trying to do all I can to preserve their quality! But I think Christmas is just one of those occasions that you literally let your hair down and do commit it to unlimited amounts of styling and products in an attempt to getting it looking half decent for all those festive occasions. From parties, to Christmas Day dinner you can't help wanting to look your best!

New Years Eve,,, and yet more styling!

Back to the point in hand, my hair was looking less than at its best! In fact it was in need of some essential TLC so I was desperate for a product to help savoir it! Now I've probably used every single thing going in the past, from intensive conditioners to hot oils to heat rescue sprays but never found anything that's quite been a miracle to say. Anyway I was browsing to see which one I was going to try this time round, I was thinking maybe go for an intensive conditioning mask and then maybe not use any heat products for about 3 months! Which certainly wouldn't be a bad thing for my hair! But then I had something just catch my eye. It was a product that I hadn't noticed before and was instantly curious as to what it was and did. Well welcome to the Pantene Pro-V’s Deep Moisturising Soufflé. This is a brand new product that has literally only just been released and is already being hailed as the hair must have for the year!



So of course I had to try it! I was initially appealed as it promised to give me back all the nourishment my hair so desperately needed leaving it soft, shiny and supposedly 'fabulous' for up to 48 hours! Well there's something I was hardly gonna miss the chance to take up! Plus some fo the top stylists like Sam McKnight (pictured left) are also said to be big fans of it too! Telling a magazine that: 

“It’s an essential part of my kit as it’s so versatile”. 

So I thought anything's worth a go and if it works for my hair then almost anyone can benefit as my hair is not one to to be practical and respond how products promise they should! Just to be awkward, you know! Plus I liked the idea of a souffle, for some reason this just fascinated me! I always think of souffle as being some sort of dessert and wondered what the consistency would be like. Well here's what I found...

The effects of the souffle :

It's actually a really lovely product! It's nothing like what I was expecting as I think I almost expected something a bit more gloopy and gel like, but it reminds me very much like a mousse just a bit thicker and creamier. It's certainly nourishing and you feel your hair is really going to benefit from the minute you apply it! I applied this to my hair after I had washed it just with a shampoo and conditioner that was for dry/damaged hair but nothing that special as I really wanted to see how effective the souffle was! Well my hair feels lovely! It's very very soft and does have a really lovely shine to it! Plus it doesn't feel heavy or overloaded with product! And I can confirm it does work for 48 hours! I really love this product and considering it only cost £4.49, I think it will definitely be something I try again!

Be interesting to see what any of you think of it.... Let me know when you have tried it!

Emily x




x

New Year, new start...

Right time for a new year, new fresh start! I initially launched this blog back in the summer last year with the intention of using it as my little platform and to write about all things beauty. But I just never did! I really believed I would be posting at least about 5 times a week as I was forever writing little beauty articles that was just sitting lifeless and aimless and thought it would become my little baby! But I just never found the time to do it. I let far too many other things take over and distract me and just found I very rarely posted at all. So this year I plan to relaunch this blog a bit! 

I've seen how successful some blogs can be and know that if I work hard enough there is no reason mine can't do the same! So for any followers I do have right now look out for a bit of a transformation! I plan to be posting a lot more, making this blog look more aesthetically pleasing and generally making my name known! I really want this to do well and know with a little time and effort this can be achieved! So I know everyone always says new year, new start, but in terms of this blog I'm being serious! Let's hope this blog is a whole lot better by this time next year! But I guess only time will tell...

Happy 35th Birthday Sanctuary!

Hello ladies,

It's been a while since I made a post so thought I'd do one on my one night in since being at uni! Oh how good I'm being! Actually no it's not as bad as you think, I've not actually been out drinking EVERY night... although a fair few of them have been! But some of the time I've actually been working at your loved Boots! In fact Friday night I did an overnight shift! Yes you did read that right OVERNIGHT! 12 Hours! And it wasn't the most fun! But I managed it! 

Anyways back to the real reason I'm writing this! I found this out today that Sanctuary are actually celebrating their 35th Birthday! I honestly didn't know that the brand was that old! I knew it had been around for a while but not 35 years! That would have meant it was founded back in the 70s! Now to think how far the brand has come and all the amazing products that have been released over the years! I'm rather impressed! As since it first launched the products have only gotten better and better! Think the brand is looking rather good for 35 to be honest! 

Well to celebrate it's birthday the main Sanctuary spa in Covent Garden, London has had a major revamp and updated it's image to fit in with the world today! Looking at the images of the revamp it looks pretty impressive and somewhere I wouldn't mind giving a visit! Especially  to  receive one of their many pampering treats! It  would be one of those ultimate spa day experiences that you only get to experience on the rare occasion and if you're fortunate enough to have the opportunity! Even more so if you get the special 35th Birthday Spa Day Package!

For £99 you can celebrate with Sanctuary and spend a day at the spa and includes:

   
• Full use of the Spa Facilities (so that's the pool, sauna, steam room, sunbeds, luxury seating and heaters just to name a few of them)
   
• A 25 minute treatment completely of your choice (Can't decide if I'd have a facial or a massage!)
   
• A glass of Bubbly! (Well what relaxing day would be complete without a bit of alcohol?!)
   
• A Birthday Cake (hope it's Chocolate!!)

Or if you wanted to pay an extra £31 you can upgrade to either a 55 minute treatment or 85 minute one! Guess it depends on the treatment! But either way that's actually a really good price as most spa days are more than that! 

Would any of you be taking up the offer?

Or even if your not, I won't be unfortunately, but what treatment would you have? 

Would you even want to visit the spa?

What's your favourite Sanctuary product? 

Would be nice to hear your thoughts! Let me know :)

Emily xx

Diego Dalla Palma Semi-Permanent Technical Mascara - the latest tinting innovation?

So yet another new mascara product has been released into the British market promising to be the latest innovation and best thing we've ever used! This time it's main reasoning behind this claim and what is supposedly making it 'unique' is the fact it not only acts as a mascara but also as a form of 'dye' too! This product has been launched by Diego Dalla Palma, an Italian cosmetics company and it has proved extremely popular over there.  So of course as with anything it's made it's way on to our shores and can now be bought at approximately £16.00! 

I'd  heard about this product release a little while a go and got to say I was instantly attracted as I thought it sounded like a really good idea! Anything that makes our lives easier in terms of make-up has got to be good right! But of course I'm always skeptical about new products so as with most thing I did a bit of research as lets face it, it's not the first product on the market to make these claims! Plus I wanted to find out a bit more about the company too as obviously being an Italian company they're not well known in the UK! 

Diego Dalla Palma company appear to be one of the leading cosmetic's company in Italy and have several products that are loved by thousands of women! But one of their expertise appears to be in eye make-up products! Especially in Mascaras! So this looks like their latest creation designed to darken the lashes of women for as long as possible and allow a more convenient life! It's quite interesting to look at the images of the models wearing the mascara, as with most mascara advertisers the models are quite obviously enhanced with extensions which would make their eyelashes naturally look better! But seeing as the aim of the product wasn't to lengthen or volumize I wasn't overly concerned and tried to focus more on the colour of their lashes. If the images are anything to to go buy then this product does appear effective in delivering a deep black colour! Which is exactly what I'd want if it were to dye my eyelashes! Otherwise in my opinion there is just no point! 





The product works in a similar way to eye tints as the ingredients involved coat the lashes in a silicone formula that then holds the colour to the lash! It's pretty much an ultra strong waterproof mascara that will eventually wash off and I'm sure if you really scrubbed at your eyes enough would come off! Although this may hurt a little! So not recommended! But besides this it also ensures it won't smudge and from the reviews I've seen this is supposedly true! 



This whole process is supposed to take 20 days in total, 5 days in applying the mascara and then 15 days of the eye dye to last! Although a lot of the reviews said that it didn't quite last intensely for the full 15 days and by the last five days at least it had faded significantly! But then again this is what I'd expect really otherwise you wouldn't need to reapply surely! 

Another benefit of the mascara is the fact that it's also a conditioner of the lashes as it's enriched with a natural oil within it's creamy formula that will leave lashes feeling much more nourished and leave them soft and supple! As well as the brush allowing the lashes to appear fanned out and slightly lengthened! Overall the mascara appears promising and if it's successful and  proven effective this may be something worth giving try! however, for now I still feel that if you wanted to dye your eyelashes the best method would be to use an eyelash tint! As for the same period of time it would take to apply the mascara and then it's length of time it lasts I believe an eyelash tint would stay much darker!

So what do you think, do you  think it's something you might be giving a go?

Emily x

Gifts For the Man who has everything...

Choosing gifts for anyone can be a stressful and difficult situation no matter who they are! It's all about trying to find something that will suit that person in their needs and wants while fitting your own personal feelings and budget! Often for women our go to products for our friends are beauty products, from skincare to cosmetics usually a nice little gift set solves our little dilemma! But what about men?! It's often debated that men shouldn't be bought male grooming gift sets but why not? Men now groom themselves almost as equally as women these days and the men's skincare range is ever increasing with more and more products and brands releasing products aimed specifically at men! This proves how popular they are and shows that men do in fact care now about their skin! 

Selecting a gift for men can be frustrating, as often they already have everything they need and offer no indication of something they desire! Making shopping, a favourite past time that should be extremely therapeutic and enjoyable into your worst nightmare! What do you buy the man who owns everything? It can feel like mission impossible at times! Well thankfully nowadays we can resort to the same fail safe presents that we do with our female counterparts! Skincare gift sets! The answer to all our problems!

Men, even if they won't admit it will use grooming products and secretly be very pleased he has them accessible! the amount of times you hear of men who have secretly been known to 'borrow' their wife/girlfriend/sister/female friend's moisturizer and cleanser! So finding a good gift has now never been easier! There are some lovely  men's grooming ranges out there on the market right now! When shopping for a gift the best start is to head to your local Boots or Department Store as your first point of call! They have some fantastic men's gifts at the moment! That's without even considering the fact that next week they will begin putting their Christmas stock out! Yes that's right, in September! But this means the choice of Men's gift sets will be even greater and finding that perfect gift will be even easier! 

Regardless, no matter what time of year you shop there are gifts available for men and can suit all budgets! One really good one to look at is the Nivea For Men Q10 Skin Energy Gift Set which is just £12.00 in Boots and includes the moisturizer and face wash! It's a really lovely one and goof for anti-aging too! So all those men with that slight age concern can rest assured their skin can be saved too! Or for the more 'scent' conscious man the FCUK Wash Bag Grooming Kit which is £15.00 and includes the bag, an Urban Hair and Bodywash and the Urban Bodyspray may be something to look at! Plus an added bonus is there is a similar gift set in the FCUK Sport range as well! 

Then for the slightly  higher budgets the Clinique Essentials of Shaving Set acts as the perfect luxury skincare product! It does cost a fair amount at £46.50 but Clinique is very high quality and you get a full size Face Scrub, Cream Shave and a Post Shave Cream as well as the travel versions of them all and the bag too! A very good gift considering this isn't even part of the Christmas gift sets! 


So what skincare products would you give to a man?

Emily x

Make Over Fairy - the perfect wish?

I've been thinking how good it would be if there was such a thing as a 'Make-Over Fairy!' Imagine how good it would be for one just to suddenly appear and they could grant just one wish the chance to have a makeover of your choice!  But as with all good things there would be limits and these are as followed: 

1) You can have the choice of any make-up brand at all! No matter whether they're British, American, Premium, Cheap, For older ladies or little girls! But the only limit is that you can only have just the one brand! So no mixing and matching! Just a single brand to do everything! Makes it a lot tougher don't it!
2) You can only use this wish once and for one occasion only! So no excuses to use it for 'everyday' or 'every night out'! 
3) You have to pick a single location to get the makeover too! Doesn't matter where the location is but you can only choose one! 
4) You've got to ask for a specific make-up look! And got to give specific reasons for that look too!


I found this quite difficult to choose really!I mean we all love make-up and beauty and use a range of products to get that ultimate look! But the fact is most of us do use so many different brands to do so! I don't think I know a single person that would be able to honestly say they only ever buy from one brand alone! It's just not possible really in a way as if that's all you did, you'd miss out on so many beauty innovations and would probably end up in a bit of a beauty rut! I know for one I really shop around, I have bits and pieces form lots of brands and mix and match them all together to achieve my 'look'! 

I'd quite happily use a lip gloss from No.7 with a Bronzer from Collection 2000 and a blusher from Bourjois! I'm not selective at all and always tend to find that I mix the so called 'higher-end' make-up with cheaper brands too! But to think about just having one single brand to receive a makeover from is actually quite tough! I've really sat and thought about it as even though most of the leading brands do supply make-up for all beauty needs it's about picking one that you know is effective and will look good on you! Often people don't think about the fact that everyone is unique and what might be really good and look amazing on one person could look terrible and be completely wrong for another!



So as I said I thought long and hard about this (it was a very tough decision) but I decided to choose Benefit! I am a fan of Benefit and think they do quite a lot of innovative products that are very high quality and anything I have used of Benefit has always worked really well for me! I like that their products have a bit of a uniqueness against other brands of a similar status and that they last a long time! They're not one of those brands that you apply their products and then 5 minutes later you're looking in a mirror wondering if you did in fact put anything on! Plus I think the way you can combine their products like with their different collections works really well too! Like you could match up an eyeshadow with a blusher and and bronzer, etc and not look silly or like you've done your make-up in the dark! As sometimes mixing different brand collections can do! 

One thing I do particularly like about Benefit is their eye make-up! Especially their mascara! It's one of the only things that has even come close to being how i like my eyes as I like really long, volumized lashes that are worthy of falsies! I just can't go a day without mine but their 'They're Real' mascara is one of the only things that I can even come close to going out without my falsies on! In fact I did the other day! Which is a big step for me! I know it sounds pathetic that I'm that vain but I really lack confidence without my false eyelashes really! It's like they've become a compulsion which is ridiculous really but it's just something I've gotten used to! So I think Benefit is just one of them brands that makes me feel good about myself! As like even down to their foundations! I never find a colour that I think is a true good match for me and right for my skin but a little while a go while in store I tested one out based on the recommendation of one of their beauty consultants and it did look quite good! It was a really nice colour match and I always think when you can be fully done up and know a product is making you look good you just feel good too! 

 I think I would ask for like a very glamourous eye look that's quite dramatic and really makes my eyes shine! For me my make-up is always focused around my eyes as I find them my best feature out of everything else! So I'd like for them to stand out and be just like 'oh wow'! That would be like the best feeling imaginable! But think I would also asked to look bronzed too! As I feel more confident when I look like I've got a tan so would feel better if I had a real nice glow and shimmer to me! I think the combination of glamourous, dramatic eyes and bronzed skin would just be perfect and would boost anyone's confidence but certainly my own! 

Now to get this makeover done  I wouldn't be fussy at all! I'd have it done in the middle of the street if that's all the makeover fairy would allow! But I think the ideal situation would of course be one of them top make-up studios as the lighting and everything in them places always make you look fabulous! But to be honest I'd be happy going to a local department store or one of Benefits flagship shops to receive the makeover as that would mean all their product range was there and you could have a good look round too! Taking in all the atmosphere of the place and getting a real feel for it all! That would be amazing! Plus you always have the option (probably only one thing knowing my student budget) to buy something! 

I think the occasion I'd choose would have to be an event like when I'm going to be seeing my family for the first time after I'm getting back from uni like at Christmas or something! We tend to get everyone all together and go out for a celebration meal anyway but for me this year it's gonna be even more special than usual as I'm not going to have seen any of them for 12 weeks at least! So will be an emotional time anyway! So to be able to look stunning and at my   absolute best would be the most amazing feeling! Seeing my family and looking good at the same time! I would just want to be able to impress them! Not that they would care what I looked like! I could wear a paper bag and not do my hair or makeup or anything and they'd still think I was wonderful but for me I'd like to really look as good as possible! 

So if the makeover fairy does exist I really wouldn't mind if she'd like to give me a visit! It would make my whole year! :D

Emily x