The £4 Wonder Pallet

REVOLUTION PALETTE

This was such a buy, can I start by saying that. Also I think it is a pretty good dupe to the Urban Decay Naked 3 pallet. It was only 34 from Superdrug and they do have other shades of the palette as well. It comes with a mix of shimmer and matte shades which all have really good colour payoff as well as how well they blend together and with other shadows as well. 

It has 12 shadows which is so much for your money. I wore these for a wedding recently and the stuck it out all through the night and did not budge, nor drop down when I shaded them underneath the lower lash line. 10/10

A Catch Up

So I always like to read what people have been up to, or watch vlogs, whatever medium you'd rather.

The last few weeks have been a bit hetict I....

• went back to Uni (final year!)

• I have been obsessively watching tutorials on how to make chocolate covered strawberry's in prep for my birthday party.

• Myself, Darren and Noah re-decorated my parents bedroom for their 25th wedding anniversary.

• Tilly has been seriously hogging the bed recently.

• Darren and I scrubbed up and went to his brothers wedding.

• I have been in love with this Bordeaux DKNY bag I saw in Fenwick 2 weeks ago. (£275 OWCH.)

• I am a very proud daughter as my daddy held his second book signing for his book, 'Micha Seven Five' - grab it here!

Xx

Glitters for the season

Here's a fun fact, it is only 9 weeks until Christmas. Creeps up on you, right?

With that being said, the shop windows are slowly being filled with sequined tops and glittered shoes, and to go with all this growing festive sparkle we need nails to match.

These are my top picks for the best glitters in the high street, they add that much needed sparkle in the coming weeks!

GOSH : rainbow

OPI : absolutely alice & the living daylights 

RIMMEL : 500 disco ball

TOPSHOP NAILS : firework

ESSIE : set in stones

BARRY M : superdrug xmas collection

Review: L'Oreal False Lash Flutter Mascara

L'Oreal False Lash Flutter Mascara

I have been trying and testing this mascara for about the last two months and i am still undecided. With the majority of mascaras, i tend to lean towards the non-plastic type of brushes, where as this one does have a plastic brush. However, it has many sides with a different angles, to help build volume and length, which to be fair it does do.

Despite this, which i am not knocking at all, sometimes i find that it can be quite clumpy on application and other times it allows you lashes to be coated equally all over and look thick and full, that false lash look, which it describes on the packaging and in the name.

I am undecided whether i would choose to re-purchase this mascara again, mainly down the the type of applicator brush it has. But overall it does a good job as a mascara, and if your a fan of a plastic wand and big dark full lashes, this is your go to.

Rimmel - Brand Focus Nails

 There are a lot of high street makeup brands, and nail brands on the market today. A cult classic British brand, Rimmel, I have found to be one of the the strongest brands for well priced nail varnishes on the high street. They have a number of different formulas and variations of their varnishes, all of which enjoy using and have a few of each in my nail varnish collection. 

Rimmel 60 Seconds

These stay true to their name and do dry in 60 seconds, give or take a few more. But, this is 60 seconds of one coat, waiting for that to dry and then applying another if you choose to. I find that the consistency varies on colours, the rose gold colour is good to go with only one coat but i find that for the pink and the blue I need like to have at least three coats, not including a top coat. 

Rimmel I  ❤ Lasting Finish

These are similar to the 60 Second polishes, but lack the drying time, although they do not take forever to dry like some other varnish brands. These come in a wide variety of colours and effects, and with these I only need one coat. The only exception to this being the glitter where I like to really build it up so it almost has the effect of being a gel glitter polish, which is does well but with a fair few coats. They leave a good shine, but do tend to chip within a few days.

Rimmel Lycra Pro Professional Finish

 I only have two shades of this collection, and the two colours I have are actually only ones that  my mum uses. But despite that, I can say that they are really really good. They have a long lasting staying power and have a naturally good shine included in them, so good that when on occasions I have reached to these colours I do often then go for a top coat to layer over the one or two coats I have put on of either of these colours, just a side note however, the are quite thick in consistency especially the bronzed coloured one, I find this across all the Rimmel varnishes mainly in the metallic colours. Good work Rimmel.

Autumn Wardrobe Wants: Topshop Meets Cara

So, if you live in the UK you will be well aware that summer is well and truly over, as I'm pretty sure the rain has not stopped for a continuous 48 hours. While stuck inside and the rain having no intention of stopping i turned my attention to the world of online shopping, more specifically the Cara Delevingne line for Topshop. I thought I would share some bits that caught my eye that I thought would be nice additions to my already bulging wardrobe, I cant help myself.  

Cara Delevingne for Topshop

This new line I am in love with. Although some items are very pricey, like the sequined dress that I fell in love with, (It is around £250, you can get your hands on it here and it comes in sizes 4-16). They have some great party dresses, like I said there is the super expensive one, but it is stunning, but there is also a classic LBD with a twist, which is only £45 and comes in sizes 4-16, it is not available yet but you can be first to find out when it is in here.  The items I am placing an order for are, the two in the picture below. The Pussydoll Bow Blouse and is £45 and comes in sizes 6-16. The bottoms are also on my list; they are the Moto Low Rise Zip Biker Jeans, and they are priced at £40.

You can find the Blouse here and the Jeans here.

Image credit: Topshop

Image credit: Topshop

Image credit: Topshop

I look forward to see what else Topshop do with Cara and vice versa. As well as getting my hands on some of the stuff from the collection.

Intsagram @ellar_93

Twitter @ella1993

Return From The Sun

My Summer Reads

I recently had my fair share of summer holidays and time in the sun, and so i return with some post holiday posts in the coming weeks. I thought i would begin with my summer reads from my family holiday in Portugal.

Before I begin on what i read out there i have to do a selfless shout out to my Daddy who recently had his third book published which i read also on another holiday, within two days. I could not put the darn'd thing down (You may be thinking, hmm daughter of author, biased?! But no!) 

It is called 'MICHA SEVEN FIVE' and is a crime drama. I enjoyed it a lot, and keep nagging him to put the cliff hanging end to a sequel and remove me from my book misery. I would highly recommend it as a read, go and grab it here.

The Book Thief - Markus Zusak

This was a reccomendation from my Mummy. The first chapter had me quite lost and confused and i did have to ask what was going on. However, get past that first chapter, which is not hard to do, and it is a beautiful story about friendship and seeing beyond what people tell you what is right an wrong. I could read this one hundred times over and be just as spellbound by it. It is narrated by death and concept that is a little tricky to get your head around at times but it gives the story a different edge. 10/10 and i have tried to force this into any willing hands to read.

You're The One That I Want - Giovanna Fletcher

If you saw my holiday book posts from last year you will know that I read and really enjoyed Giovanna's first book (Billy and Me). This is one of those girl falls in love with boy, with a twist kind of books. Easy to read and enjoyable, another one I read in a day. It is a sweet story not only about relationships, friendships and love but about growing up.

The Shock of The Fall - Nathan Filer

This was one that was actually stolen off of me before i had a chance to read by my brother, so i am in the middle of it so i thought i would still include it as it was read, and then semi-read by two holiday go-ers.

Noah's review: The book is really interesting and is a lot about mental health. For someone who does not do a lot of reading, I must of enjoyed it as I only took me two days to get through it. 

#GIRLBOSS - Sophie Amoruso

If you are a girl, like myself, who wants to earn her own money, be strong and independent and a career girl. Then this is the book you need to read. Sophie built her company Nasty Gal within seven years to a multi-million dollar company without one bit of debt. This girl has the knowledge of how to become what you want to be. This was a originally a recommendation from Vivianna of VDM, and now i, girls of the world am recommending it to you!

A Re-Fresh Of Summer Must Have's

Summer Must Have's

Even as the summer is reaching it's end and September is on the horizon, there is no reason to throw away all our hard summer body and beauty work, this is my summer must haves and a re-fresh for Autumn to keep this clean and shiny!

My summer holiday toiletries must haves. Yes, admittedly not the most glamours of things but they are what you need come those long summer days.

My basics include, Dove deodorant, Venus Razor (cant be having hairy armpits by the pool or legs for that matter). My go to sun cream Piz Buin factor 50 and 30, Banana Boat Alo Vera Gel; important for cooling down those burnt thighs and shoulders i am bound to have, Bumble and Bumble Surf Shampoo, the perfect sized bottle for travelling and of course you are going to be wanting those beachy looking waves and this does the job (if you like to style your hair while your away as well double up your Bumble with their Surf Spray to!), Body Shop Body Butter can never have enough moisturiser can you really!, Victoria's Secret Love Spell Fragrance Mist, got to smell nice go for a spray so much lighter and often come in plastic bottles, i always think plastic over glass when travelling, Hawaiian Tropic factor 50 faces stick for reapplying when on the go, this has come in very handy over the last few holidays and finally to keep the face clean the Yes To Cucumbers Natural Glow Facial Wipes. I like to travel super light for toiletries so wipes are perfect, this are super moist and take everything off the skin nicely. 

The Perfect Heat Hair Saviour

Over the last couple of months I have really put my hair through it, and my account as well. If you have read some of my older post I change my hair quite frequently, more than not it will always go back to its natural dark brown look. But otherwise I'm always trying to change the colour and experiment as well.

So following having half a head of highlights done at the end of February, I decided, no this is not enough time to switch it up. I saw a picture of the nicest ombréd hair, that I had seen in a long time. So I took myself down to the salon and book an appointment. (in the end it turned out to be two appointments instead of just the one).

Due to my highlights I needed my roots to be pulled out to allow the ombré to have the desired affect and not just a awkward line of blonde running round the back of my head.

Long story short, I am now a ombréd gal, there was bleach involved and so since then, the ends of my hair especially have been drier and lacking in shine more than normal. I thought time to get pro-active, or just another reason to spend some more money, and so I did. I bought the BloPro from Superdrug and it was around £5.99, with a sort of weird looking think white liquid inside, with a spray cap; how this was going to spray on to my hair like a light fluid was beyond me, however I spritzed on.

It is a light to medium consistency and I don't know if it has pixie dust in it or what but this stuff is amazing, even brushing it through before going to blow dry and then straighten/curl, there is a noticeable difference. My hair becomes smoother, softer and easier to work with, its prevents knots forming and just holds the shape and shine of the hair while blow drying. I find that post hair washing days it maintains that healthy look, even on the bits that got the bulk load of the bleach, as well as the smell is amazing. As well as doing all of this it also works as a heat protection, what more could you ask for. I'm thinking of trying some more of their products as this is proved its self so well. 

Let's Get Colourful

                                      

I have always stayed close and loyal to my neutral colours when it comes to eyes. I've always thought about trying colour, especially as I have green eyes but never been quite daring enough. This was until I decided to pick up the Maybelline 24 hour Colour Tattoo, in the shade 'Endless Purple'. I bought this to actually pick out the purple in the dress I was wearing for a night out, and since then I have loved it. I tend to blend it just underneath my bottom lash line, and sometimes on my lid as well with a darker shade in the corners. This stuff stays as well, no amount of sweat or anything will make this stuff budge. For applying underneath the lash line I used a MAC 219 and on the lid I packed it on with a QVS flat brush eye shadow brush. I am looking forward to trying some of the other shades, and then give the high end cream eye shadows a good run for their money. 

“Put Some Red Lipstick On and Live a Little” Marilyn Monroe

‘A study of 50 men were part of an experiment at Manchester University regarding lipstick – ‘men like to stare at women’s mouths that had lipstick on, with red lipstick holding their attention the longest. A whole 7.6 seconds’

For many women around the world that little red bullet of lipsticks has proven to be a confidence booster, a guy grabbing tool or even a best friend.  In 1924 Chanel produced and packaged their first red lipstick, modelled on the shade that Coco Chanel her self wore. The red lipstick has gone on to define itself for years. 

However following some research conducted by the University of Manchester, does the women’s best friend have more power than we first thought?

According to their research, their male subjects spent longer looking at women wearing a red lip than they did pink. For many men, outside of the research project conducted at Manchester University, it seems they are in agreement. Many say that when they saw a women wearing red lipstick, regardless of any other clothing or accessorise she might have been wearing, that they believed it to give off the impression of confidence and sex appeal. 

Women's magazines all over the world almost daily are promoting red lipstick, or a red lip look. How to wear it, what are the best brands to buy from, what shade of red suits you best; ‘The secret to confidence is red lipstick’. These can go on for a list as long as any women's shopping list, but is it all true? Or is this more of the perfect women propaganda we are all buying into?

True, many women do feel once they have braved the makeup counters and rifled their way through, what is essentially  30 red lipsticks all of the same shade, but the makeup assistant assures you they are not, and this one will of course make your teeth look whiter and your eyes look brighter, do you feel more confident now with that red lipstick on your lips? Do you notice more guys stare?

So maybe that natural look all our guys go on about is not really the case at all.  The celebrity we see today, all rock a red lip when trying to give off a sex appeal look, and sex does sell. Scarlet Johansson, known for her sultry looks often is seen wearing red lipstick and has been voted numerous times in the top 10 of Maxims hot 100, and topped Esquires Hottest Women Poll earlier last year. Even once teen queen Miley Cyrus is now rocking a sultry red lip.

Are these same red lip looks that are being worn today by are celebrities  the same as that old Hollywood glamour that Marilyn Monroe once donned though. Many men still make connections with women who wear red lipstick with women who are mature,  seductive and trying to recreate that old fashioned glamour look. It seems men, like the red lip look for what is has always represent, Women. A strong, confident and self assured. Make up is more than just compacts and mascara wands. It can change how men see women, how women see women and how women see themselves. 

The makeup industry has been around for over 100 years, and continues to strive today.

Releasing new products which promise to make bits of us look, big, better and shinier.

But sometimes the classics is all we need to achieve what we want. Next time your fighting

your way through that makeup counter, try a red lip and see how you feel, and the looks,

good looks, you will get. 

A Busy Few Weeks

Over the last week i really have been out and about a lot. I really enjoy watching vlogs and reading blog posts about what people have been doing, going out to see, places they have visited. So in the last few weeks I have been getting my fair share of culture. Myself, Mummy and Daddy, headed to the south bank to the Globe Theater to see a modern day version of 'The Merchant Of Venice'. This was so, good the production itself was one developed to be aimed at children, so even for adults the play became easier to understand and to watch. Even if you do not go and see a specially tailored production, I would say go and see something at the globe. It's such an experience, and go on a warm day! Its all open air so if it rains your going to get wet.

I also went to see Miranda at the O2 she was amazing, I was so lucky with the seats myself and my friend had. We were third row on the floor, smack bang in the middle. You could not get any better or much closer if you tried. I know she is still touring all the way through till about October so if you fancy, grab your self some tickets. Ours were well priced at around £35. I was back at the O2 a few weeks later to a impromptu Justin Timberlake concert that my Dad got me and my Mummy tickets for.

He was outstanding, do not have one fault or criticism to say about him, or the show. Go Justin!

I also went to Southend, for a friends birthday. Mayhem in Southend is always such good fun and if any one fancies a good, non expensive night out I would definitely recommend going. I wore a dress from Zara, which was only £30, bargin, and my Kurt Giger Dizzy heels. 

And last but by no means least it was my Nana's 75th birthday and we headed to the OXO Tower, also on the Southbank, for 'Not Afternoon Tea' as they liked to call it. There was no tea involed, just alcholic cocktails and cake!

Hope you have all had a lovely weekend 

@ella1993/@ellar_93

Xx

March Loves

march loves

I'm still struggling to deal with how quickly this year is going by, very scary. Welcome April, and maybe the long awaited return of spring? I wont hold my breath for too long however.

I have not posted a 'Loves' post in a long time, and to be frank its because its been the same products day in day out, or rather month in month out for a while now. But I have have been seeing some new stuff around and picked up a few bits, and re-discovered some old bits and bobs as well, which has made for a very happy March.

This is the lip balm sent from the Gods. It can soften any lips, its smells lovely and is reasonably priced for a lip balm, they can get a bit priced. I would recommend anyone who is in need of a lip balm for any reason, this is the one to go for.

 I have a small obsession with makeup bags. I have them galore, big, small, material, plastic. You name it, I've got it. This little beauty I spotted in the Victoria Secret. It was not cheap piece by any means, at a eye water £18, but it was just so darn'd cute. You can fit the world and it's friend into this makeup bag.  

Ikea, the land of the brave. You have to go in there knowing what you want, and not buying anything else, otherwise you will likely come out with a Billy Bookcase and a Sofa Bed. This issue lead to my purchase of these stack-able storage. Again not the cheapest when you buy a few at £5 each. But great for storing makeup.

It's a re-occurrence. No mascara has beaten this out my life in months. 

Buy it.

This was a gift for Valentines day, and it smells so good. I was a bit keen with the lighting as it is such a summer scent. If I ever went to Hawaii, I imagine it to smell like this. It's massive as well. Go give it a sniff! 

I have returned to my love of reading. Its been gone for a while TV took over strong. But with almost three books on the go I am thoroughly a book worm. 

Go and get 'Archduke Franz Ferdinand Lives!' - The blurb itself is enough to make anybody want to read it. Hint Hint, a world without the happening of World War One.

Genius. 

Hopefully I will get these post up more frequently and kick my lazy bum into gear.

Have a good weekend

@ella1993

@ellar_93

Xx

Fighting Fit: Spin

I have wanted to put this post out in the big wide  bloggers sphere for a long time now, but have never been to sure how to approach it, but now I think I've cracked that one.

A lot of bloggers talk about their work out routine, and I am massive fan of keeping fit, and not only for vanity reason but because I get so much enjoyment out of it.

My work out revolves 99% around 1 thing, and that is Spin. If you don't know what spin is, its a 45 high intensity static bike work out, in the dark with disco lights going and blaring loud music. Yes, it can sound very scary but I promise you, if you want to see results and have fun doing it, Spin is for you.

I go to a Virgin Active Gym in Essex,which  joined about a year ago now, and its the best money I have ever spent. Now I know gym memberships are not cheap, in fact they need to straighten out their prices quite frankly, however that aside if you are confident you are going to get your moneys worth and are interested in joining a gym I would strongly suggest looking into it, especially Virgin I have nothing but good things to say about it.

I try to go to Spin 2-3 times a week, as well as doing other exercise during the  week.

I think with the gym and exercise its important to remember to take rest days and that if you miss a week its not the worst thing in the world and that you can always make that time up.

Although we all have goals we want to achieve with the way we look, I find the key to it is being able to enjoy yourself!

twitter @ella1993/@lndgirlblogging

instagram @ellar_93

Xx

MIA, Updates and More

I have to admit i have been slightly MIA with the blog at the moment, there has been a lot going on. I think it is fair to say we all go through phases like that and sometimes those phases, in my case at least, lead me to fall upon bloggers block. Think writers block, but for blogging.

However i have still been getting my paws on new and old products discovering and rediscovering. As well as getting out and about a bit.

I finished up by Rimmel Wake Me Up foundation, which I do really like however, I do really like and enjoyed using but I'm always for trying new products. I decided to hop brands and give the Bourjois Happy Light Foundation a go. Now I do really like it, it goes on easily and best of all i get really dry skin on the bridge of my nose, and regardless of what moisturiser i choose to try and help it, and believe me i have tired a good few, i cant seem to shift it. 

However the only issue, which i think is common with high street foundations, is colour matching. Can you ever get it quite right? This is slightly too dark for me, and my shade is the second lightest. I have to mix this with my NARS Sheer Glow, which is now too light for my skin. Mixed together it makes a good match for my skin.

I wore these two foundations for a recent night out with my lovely daddy who treated me to go and see a comedy show in aid of Centrepoint, which if you don't know is a charity that focuses on helping homeless children. It was a whole host of different comedians but the bill was top by the three guys who present the Last Leg on Channel 4, big fan, Adam Hills, Josh Widdicombe and Alex Brooker.

I went for a casual brown look with a attempted subtle cat flick, done with shadow, I liked the look but for next time i think I'm going to be brave and move on to liquid liner to get that more defined look. I also used the Estee Lauder Raisin's pallet. 

I managed to sneakily snap a view pictures from inside while the acts were on, they were all really funny. This is my first stand up comedy show, I went to see Michael McIntyre at the O2 but that was comedy on a really large scale. 

As the weather is slowly, emphasis on slowly, starting to show possible signs of spring the stores have been showing this to. The clothing everywhere at the moment is just on point. I've been picking up a few bits to share with you soon. River Island has always been a shop I've never been a massive fan of however all their stock in the past few months have been catching my eye, and my card!

A shameless watch selfie. I bought my Michael Kors while i was in New York during January, along with Darren buying his Gucci watch as well while we were in New York. I love mine and can not go on about it enough. All his stuff, from clothes, watches and bags are all flawless if you check out a post of mine from about a month ago i wrote about the Michael Kors Jet Set Staffano Tote. 

Sorry for this post being a bit all over the place but i thought it would be nice to just to take some images of whats been going on recently and with in no time we will be back to fashion and makeup! 

Enjoy your week

Twitter @ella_93/@lndgirlblogging

Instagram @ella_1993

Xx