Summer

I have missed you, but the uncertainty you bring also worries me.

Bronze Face of the Day & Nail of the Day

Today I painted my nails with 17's Toasted Almond. It's a lovely light brown/champagne metallic colour, and isn't very shiny so gives that brushed metal effect. It's very high quality for such an affordable nail polish (probably £2!), and lasts a good amount of time. It's part of 17's Lasting Fix line, which promises to stay chip resistant for up to 5 days.

My make-up was inspired by this nail colour, and I went with a bronze look.

Eyes: MAC All That Glitters all over the lid, with MAC Woodwinked blended into the crease. Benefit's Eye Bright as a brow highlight. Rimmel soft kohl kajal eyeliner in black, MAC Carbon eyeshadow to set, and Max Factor Masterpiece Max mascara in black.

Face: Prestige Sun-baked Mineral Bronzer in Rich Bronze on my cheeks, temples, forehead, nose and chin. MAC Rhapsody In Two mineral blush as highlight.

Lips: Maybelline Colour Sensational lipstick in Crispy Cookie.

Definitely a very summer-appropriate look, that will look great with a tan! xx

What Makes Me Happy

Louise over at GetLippie (http://getlippie.blogspot.com/) is hosting a birthday giveaway next month, and to enter, we have to write about what makes us happy... so here goes!

1. Youtube - Ever since I discovered the beauty community on Youtube last summer, I've been hooked! I watch beauty gurus everyday without fail, unless I'm on vacation, and I find that it gives me something to look forward to when I have no plans for the day, as sad as that sounds! I have since started my own beauty channel (http://www.youtube.com/user/shampoop118) and I thoroughly enjoy making videos.

2. Blogs - I also discovered the wonder of blogs last summer, and have been reading them ever since. I recently started my own (i.e. this one haha), and am really enjoying it! It has been great to feel part of the blogging community rather than just an outsider reader, and I have met some lovely people along the way :)

3. My boyfriend - enough said!

4. The warmer weather - I got so sick of my winter clothes, and I'm so glad I can finally wear t-shirts, tank tops and sandals again!

Thank you Louise for having such a wonderful giveaway with such generous prizes! xx

7 Month Anniversary Dinner & Canary Wharf

Just thought I would share some photos with you guys from my dinner last night at Abeno for Okonomiyaki (a Japanese dish) and today's trip to Canary Wharf for a spot of shopping!

My boyfriend being awkward and camera shy lol.

The adorable menu at Abeno! That's kinnndaa what Okonomiyaki looks like haha.

Today's outfit of the day: Evisu jacket from their new A/W '10 collection, designed by Catherine Holstein; River Island top; H&M leggings; Topshop ballet flats; Michael Kors bag.

Evisu's A/W '10 collection is amazing. It's their first collection featuring nice women's wear! They're usually known for their mens wear (and obviously their denim/ jeans). They are really revamping the brand. Here's a sneak peak of some other pieces Catherine Holstein has designed for this upcoming collection:

That's my jacket!

My boyfriend also got me the checked shirt underneath :) It's cropped at the back which is pretty unique.

My hair style for today was inspired by Dara (BelleDuJourNYC on YouTube). She has amazing beachy waves and sometimes she clips her hair back with a centre parting. I tried it out for the first time today and quite liked it!

My boyfriend's outfit of the day! Haha: everything Evisu, apart from the Nike shoes I got him!

Being vain in the lift haha.

At Canary Wharf.

Me with the flowers my boyfriend got me! :)

Hope you're all having a fab week xx

7 Month Anniversary Face

Okay so I didn't exactly put my face on this morning with the intention of going for dinner... it was actually just a quick and easy look for my exam this afternoon!

My happy/creepy post-exam face! I apologize.

Eyes: Rimmer colour mousse eyeshadow in Sassy as a base; Dior Earth Reflections eyeshadow palette: the taupe colour over the top.

Cheeks: NARS Penny Lane cream blush, with Illamasqua Lover powder blush on top.

Lips: GOSH Darling.

Bye for now! xx

I'M DONE!!!!!

All done with exams and I'm SOOOOO HAPPY!!!! (didn't do very well in the one I just did though.. but that's irrelevant, because I'M DONE!!!!)

That's all! Haha, expect a potential post filled with lovely pictures from my dinner tonight with my 7 month boy/man haha xx

Almost There

In FIVE HOURS I will have completed my last university exam ever!!! So excited! Wish me luck everyone! Then tonight I get to celebrate my 7 month anniversary with my boyfriend. :) xx

Nails Inc. Diet Coke Exclusive

As I'm sure most of you are aware, Boots is doing a promotion for Diet Coke right now, where, if you buy two 500ml bottles of Diet Coke, you get a free Nails Inc. nail polish. There are four shades to choose from: a mink/taupe, bright purple, bright pink and coral. Naturally I picked up the mink/taupe one (so predictable), even though I don't really like Diet Coke!

Whoops, I forgot to rotate the image! Oh well!

I'm in LOVE with this colour!

Basically this is an amazing deal, since two bottles of Diet Coke only cost around £2.50, and Nails Inc. polishes retail for £10.50! xx

Review: Dove Summer Glow

I got the light to medium one, although I originally wanted to try the medium to dark, just because I'm impatient! The only reason I got this one instead was because my flat mate picked it up for me. It still gave me a nice noticeable tan though, as you'll see in the pictures below!

The directions don't tell you how often you're supposed to apply it. I suppose it's up to you really. I apply this everyday before bed, all over my body, but I only get to do my back a few times a week since I need someone to help me!

Before:

After:

Not sure how well you can see the difference in these photos, but in person it's really noticeable! My skin was quite pink before I started using it,  and would get blotchy whenever I felt cold. Now I'm a nice medium golden brown colour and no longer get blotchy!

When first applied, this lotion smells like fresh mangoes - a very nice scent, however, the typical biscuity tan smell becomes noticeable when the lotion starts to sink in properly and when the tan starts developing. For the first few nights, I found the smell very overpowering, but now I hardly notice it. It sinks in pretty quickly, to the extent that I can get dressed almost immediately after applying it.

One con about this product is that it's VERY SHIMMERY!! I wouldn't go out in daylight after applying this, as I'd look like a disco ball! It's better to apply this at night before bed.

Another application tip: it's a good idea to only apply it on your feet every other application, as my feet and ankle area got quite orange in comparison to the rest of my body! Also, to ensure that your hands don't stay pale, just wipe off your palms instead of washing your hands completely.

All in all, I am very impressed with the Dove Summer Glow gradual tanning body lotion, and would repurchase again. Next time I'm going to pick up the medium to dark one! xx

NARS Giveaway

Wanna win NARS Sheer Glow foundation, a NARS blush and NARS eyeshadow? Simply subscribe to Vi on youtube: http://www.youtube.com/user/beautybyvi and follow her blog! http://cosmeticsoutlet.blogspot.com/

xx