March 2016 - FashionForRoyals

Bring the Colour on – “Be Colourful” with Joe Browns this Spring Summer

Spring is already here and with summer just around the corner, I am very excited to explore new fashion trends this season. I believe that this is the perfect time of the year to experiment with new styles and let your own unique personality shine through. I, myself, love spring day dresses and long flowy skirts a lot, and thus the hunt for some new, chic outfits has already begun.

The current outfit I am adorning is from Joe Brown’s Spring-Summer Collection called Live a Colourful Life. Living up to its name, this collection has beautiful, uber-feminine pieces in light, summery fabrics and bright, colourful shades. The classic styling and vibrant hues make these clothes ideal for elaborate ensembles wherein you add in a touch of your own personality with accessories and makeup. I really like Joe Brown’s work and thus decided to treat myself to a lovely summer dress from their 2016 collection.

The dark pink floral Dragonfly Dress is inspired by these graceful winged creatures in Papagayo. The knee-length, semi-circular fall of the bodice and cotton jersey fabric make it a good choice for both day and night and can easily be transformed from day outfit to a sexy evening look. When I wore this dress, I teamed it with a statement necklace, beaded bracelet, and a matching pair of clutch purse and cardigan to cover up when the weather gets chilly which if you live in UK is bound to happen often. The day when I was wearing this dress the sun was shining in spite of the current chill in the weather hence you can see me wearing my favourite shades as well, it was hard to keep my eyes open against the sun. And remember colourful outfits can brighten a glum day and bring more colour to your cheeks, so don’t be afraid to experiment with colours this season – “Be Colourful & Cheerful”

So, how did you like this outfit? And what are you wearing this spring? I would love to know, so don’t hesitate to share your views!

Summer Style Tip – When wearing bold colours, make sure you have a few statement pieces paired along with it like jewellery or any other accessory and one keep it limited to just bold colour in the outfit. Let the colour and clothing stand out by choosing accessories that complement and don’t overshadow it.

My Make-up Bag this Month – March 2016

Here is another post in the series of What’s in my Make-up bag these days.
I missed the one for Feb as I was travelling and pre occupied with all the London Fashion Week Posts. I hope you enjoyed those, in case you missed those here is link to all the current posts for London Fashion Week AW 2016.

So coming back to this month’s make-up bag contents, as You can I am carrying a bright now pink Dior Clutch which is one of my prized possessions these days *wink* *wink*

Now the main contents of the bag, honestly these products are some of my favourite for long long time.

Urban Decay Naked Blush Pallete – Whats not to like, I get a bronzer, blusher and highlighter all in one, and if you have read my review post of this product you will know I never use it without my Urban Decay Brush
Revlon Ultra HD Lip Laquer – HD Garnet- Great Colour to quickly add brightness to face any time of the day, long staying power and since it’s like a matt gloss it also keeps my lips nourished, and as the name suggests it has lovely High Def finish.
Clarins Wonder Perfect Mascara – I got one their miniatures and since its tiny I can easily carry it and save space as well. Great for a quick pick me up for my eyes and face!
Clarins Instant Light Natural Lip Perfector – Great to make sure my lips are nourished and not chapped through the day, with time I have realised once should never ever go without making sure that their lips are soft and supple and I love the sweet taste as well, very rare to find in lip balms but I love it.
Mac Prep + Prime Powder – One of the best translucent pressed powder from MAC controls shines and excess oil and makes your make up look flawless whatever the time of day
Benefit Magic Ink Mascara – Hands down – My favourite mascara and I promise to review this ASAP, but I have been using this particular one since 2011 and I cant even remember how many bottles I have bought, love the colour, coverage and also the brush applicator which is my favourite part.

Hope you all love reading these posts from me and do comment below if you have any make-up or beauty questions and I promise to answer them personally.

Ooharr Face Mask Reviews

Today I’m reviewing a set of products that I received in post few weeks back and the net result is that the Ooharr Face Marks turned out to be quite effective in doing what they claimed and well, my skin is all the better for it.

Ooharr is actually a new brand of natural products that are not exorbitantly priced. So far, they have launched three face masks, suitable for all skin types. These come in individual sachets with bright packaging, which is actually what first caught my attention. I have used all the three variants, i.e. Dead Sea Cooler, Rosie Glow and Star Glow – so read on to find out how I feel about them.

Let’s begin with the Dead Sea Cooler. This mask is supposed to leave your skin feeling “refreshed and revitalized”. It is composed of tea tree oil, witch hazel, peppermint, argan oil, bamboo powder and almond oil. This combination exfoliates the skin and cleanses it deeply, infusing it with the right amount of moisture. It has a minty-herbal smell, gritty texture and cooling effect on application.

Upon removal of the mask, my skin felt clean, smooth and devoid of excess oil, despite being hydrated. This mask is great for those with oily to combination skin and would be ideal for a session of self-pampering after a long, tiring day.

The next mask I tried was Rosie Glow which promises a “deep cleansing” action that should have your skin looking “rejuvenated and refreshed”. It has several essential oils including rose oil, geranium oil and palmroasa oil, as well as dead sea salts, all of which are known to purify and soothe skin simultaneously. This one has a calming, floral fragrance and smooth, thick texture that clings to the skin. On washing off the mask, I felt my skin looked well-hydrated, healthy and squeaky clean –similar to when you come out of the salon after a clean up. This one is good for those days on the weekend when you want to cleanse your skin thoroughly to look fresh for the upcoming week.

Finally, we come to Star Glow which is a “skin polisher” that shalll keep your skin “radiant and refreshed”. The mask is enriched with vanilla, honey, argan oil and jojoba oil for nourishing the skin to give it a beautiful glow. It has a lovely smell that reminds me of raspberry pudding and a gritty texture which exfoliates the skin on application. After washing it off, I could literally see the difference – my pores looked minimized, my skin felt soft and supple, and my face was lowing almost as if I had makeup on! I think this mask is great as pre-party skin-brightening ritual for it really gives the complexion an even, radiant finish.

What I love about these masks is the fuss-free application and removal – just leave them on for 15-20 minutes (till they dry) and wash off with water. They smell good too, which is an added bonus. If you ask me which one my favourite is, I’ll probably say Star Glow. But I feel I’ll be using more of the Dead Sea Cooler in the upcoming summer months.

Star Rating – 3.8 Stars

Price – £1.20 per pack

*The products in this post were sent to me for review, but all comments and review of the product is my own.

Spring is Here – Vacation Outfit Inspiration

Spring is one of the most beautiful seasons of the year, when flowers bloom, gentle warmth embraces you and finally we all kiss the chilly winters goodbye. Those lovely coats and boots get pushed to the back of your wardrobe and your summery outfits come right out.

Personally, I love the winter months too. I wait for Autumn to arrive each year so I can wrap myself in a comfy coat and put on my cozy boots. But now that spring has arrived, I find myself gearing up to whip up my summer outfits, which if you follow my instagram account, are bright, beautiful and highly colourful.

So here’s my first OOTD for Spring 2016. And it’s from one of my favourite brands – Monsoon, which according to me, has the best spring and summer outfits. The dress I’m wearing is from their latest beach collection, and is a great pick for a peaceful stroll by the beach – ah, I’m dreaming of vacations already!

Equally causal and chic are my ghunaroo-embellished sandals. They are from Monsoon as well and what I love about them is that the ghungaroos add a unique, stylish touch, but make no noise that would draw too much attention while you walk, I like their nude colour which makes it so easy to pair them with all the bright coloured summer or spring outfits.

The accessories that you see –the necklace, the bracelet and the rings – are from Accessorize which is a sister brand to Monsoon. I have to say, their holiday accessories are quite lovely, and I tend to pick up a lot of stuff from Accessorize on every visit.

As you can see, I’m totally summer-ready – my spring-summer clothing is already out and I’m all set to have some fun in the sun. What about you?

Outfit Details:

Dress – Monsoon
Sandals – Monsoon
Jewellery – (Rings, Bracelet & Necklace) – Accessorize

PC – Hannah K. Photography

Easter Giveaway Alert – Indigo Herbs Rise and Shine Tea

1 lucky winner will be chosen who will receive my current favourite Indigo Herb’s Rise and Shine Tea in collab with@indigo_herbs. Giveaway Open for all UK and EU residents.

Head Over to Instagram to Enter: https://www.instagram.com/p/BDbKGWJEwdG/

Two simple rules to be followed:

1. Follow me @fashionforroyals and@indigo_herbs
2. Tag a minimum of two friends to qualify

Repost this post for some brownie points 😉 ~ If you unfollow, you’re out.

~ Contest ends on Sunday April 3rd,2016 and winner will be announced on April 4th.
Hope you win! Tag your friends now!! The Winner will receive a 50Gm pack of Indigi Herbs Rise & Shine Tea and will be chosen randomly

You can head over to the blog to read the review of the tea here.

Indigo Herbs Rise and Shine Tea Review

I’m sure that like me, you all have your personal favourite morning wake-up drinks too. And we all sure do need them. For me, it’s not a good morning unless it starts with coffee. But recently, I tried out Indigo Herb’s Rise and Shine Tea and was surprised to find it as invigorating as my usual cuppa.

This tea blend has a combination of highly refreshing ingredients that not just taste wonderful, but also energize you. The combination of spicy ginger and peppermint gives you a kick, while the brain-boosting rosemary and ginkgo make you more alert. The subtle flavours of calendula and nettle give you the sense that you’re enjoying a herby mix of goodness that’ll keep you healthy.

And I believe the complexity and brilliance of Indigo Herbs brews can be attributed to the fine quality of botanicals used. If made correctly, each sip has an intense, soothing flavour that is unlike other, somewhat weak teas. The recommended method of infusion is using one teaspoon of tea leaves per cup, and leaving them boiling-hot water for 5 – 10 minutes. You can then strain the solution and sip on the delicious drink in absolute pleasure.

I must tell you that last week, when I first tried the Rise and Shine blend, I wasn’t feeling too well. I had mild fever and decided to forgo my morning coffee in favour of this tea. And would you believe it? It actually helped me a lot. I felt energetic and alert all day, despite my ill-health. I didn’t even miss the caffeine hit that usually keeps me awake and active. Also, I loved the floral taste of meadowsweet and the subtle hint of peppermint – what a lovely combination!

Now, I can’t help but think about what my next purchase is from Indigo Herbs is going to be. Don’t worry, I’ll keep you all posted!

If interested you get your hands on this tea here: https://www.indigo-herbs.co.uk/shop/buy/indigo-tea-rise-and-shine

*The products in this post were sent to me for review, but all comments and review of the product is my own.

Tru Diamonds – The Cosmopolitan Woman’s New Best Friends

We’ve all grown up hearing (and possibly believing) that diamonds are a girl’s best friends. But recently, I came across jewellery by Tru-Diamonds and was forced to reconsider this widely-held belief.

So let me introduce you to the philosophy that guides this enterprise. Tru-Diamonds sells high- quality man-made gemstones that are so finely crafted, they are virtually indistinguishable from mined diamonds. In fact, these Swiss-made gems are produced under such stringent criteria with top-grade techniques that they are found to be superior to 96% of mined diamonds in terms of colour and clarity.

And let me tell you, this is not all hearsay. I’m the proud owner of a Tru-Diamonds 1 ct Tiffany Style Solitaire Ring myself. I have been wearing this ring for more than a week now, and not one person I have come across could imagine that it wasn’t a genuine solitaire piece. Seriously, I doubt even a certified jeweller would be able to tell the difference without a proper scrutiny of my gorgeous ring.

I’m now a firm believer that jewellery by Tru-Diamonds is a much better buy than that made of mined diamonds for several reasons. For one, their gems are ethically produced, so you are spared the guilt of sporting “blood diamonds”. Also, this jewellery is far more economical, though there is little difference in its appearance. I mean, think about it – my ring cost just about £149 while the equivalent product at Tiffany’s would drain me of over £10,000; isn’t Tru-Diamonds jewellery then a far better deal? I don’t have to worry about insurance to keep it safe or even worry too much about losing it. This is actually one of the reasons why such jewellery is becoming very popular amongst celebrities as well. I mean, who wants to hassle themselves with wearing exorbitantly-priced jewellery, only to worry about it getting lost or stolen?

But what I like about Tru-Diamonds even more is that they promise buyers a 90-Day trial period, 100% Refund, Lifetime Warranty and Easy Payment Options too. As someone who is spending money on a luxury purchase, you are completely protected, with absolutely nothing to worry about. What more can one ask for?

Frankly speaking, I’m quite taken in by the whole concept of Tru-Diamonds. I have been browsing through their range of jewellery which has a lot of classic as well as trendy pieces that I can totally see myself wearing. I’ve already zeroed in on my next purchase too! And why not? This jewellery is great for personal usage as well as gifting, and the availability in standard UK sizes makes it convenient to order online too. If you are on a budget this is a great alternative engagement ring saving you lot of money towards the deposit of your first home or that dream wedding

So what do you think? Would you go in for this ethically produced “super-gem” jewellery? I know I would.

PC – Hannah K. Photography

Benefit Hello Flawless Oxygen SPF 25 Review – Swatch Beige

This is a review of another product from my Benefit Haul last month. Now, if you’re wondering why this review is coming up so late – I don’t pen down my opinion till I have tested a product myself over a significant period of time. After one month of usage, I’ve experienced this foundation’s effect in all kinds of conditions – daywear, nightwear, long hours, etc – and so can make a better, more informed judgement.

So here goes – I bought the Beige shade of Benefit’s Hello Flawless Oxygen SPF 25 range. This foundation is meant for light to medium coverage and promises a healthy, luminous glow. Apart from its hydrating benefits, this it has an oil-free formula and SPF 25 PA+++. For those who are not aware of this, SPF denotes the grade of protection against UVA rays, while PA stands for that against UVB rays. Three stars are the highest level of UVB protection possible, and thus, this product is great for the summertime when chances of sun damage are high.

This is what attracted me to the product first – I exclusively use cosmetics with high SPF in summers, it’s not something I can do without. But even other than the sun protection quotient, this foundation worked wonders for me. It provides a great finish that is natural, yet gives my complexion a flawless glow. I generally build to medium only on special occasions since light cover is good enough for ordinary days.

I have noticed that being water-based, this foundation never feels heavy on the skin. It lasts longer when I wear it with the Benefit Porefessional Matte Rescue Balm which is meant for pore reduction. You can also wear it with Benefit’s 15 Hours Stay Flawless Prime. But the product is so good, it hardly needs any fortification from other products in general.

Here you can see a picture of the foundation blended on my hand and another at bottom where I’ve used it with the Benefit Porefessional Matte Rescue Balm. The shade is one tone darker than what I normally use, but that’s how I prefer it in summer months. This is because skin tends to get darker due to tanning in this period and one shade darker foundation tends to blend better.

So this was my review of Benefit Hello Flawless Oxygen SPF 25.

Final thoughts: Great for Summer Months with a decent SPF built in, good for daily wear and even buildable.
Love the fact that it helps in preventing the signs of aging as it contains Vitamin C & E derivatives as well

(my LOTD- wearing the Hello Flawless Foundation and Benefit Porefessional Matte Rescue Balm )

Star Rating – 4 Stars

Price – £26.50 / 30 ml.

PS: For more tips and tricks such as the one about darker foundation in summers, follow my account and I’ll keep helping you with such titbits!

*The products in this post were sent to me for review, but all comments and review of the product is my own.

Coconut Oil – Vita Coco Review

This post is about a wonder product that we all must have in our vanities. It’s the LBD of beauty care – it’s versatile, does wonders for the appearance and is absolutely fabulous. Yes, I’m referring to coconut oil here; that one-stop-vial of goodness that we all need in our lives!

I always keep virgin coconut oil handy so I can whip it out to meet my numerous beauty needs. It’s best to use the virgin or extra virgin variety for they contain more nutrients. Regular coconut oil is made from dried coconut flesh that is subjected to high temperatures and several refining processes, all of which affects its nutritive value. Virgin and extra virgin oil is produced using more sophisticated methodologies, making them the best possible variants to use. But these days, there are also some products that add more organic nutrients to coconut oil, transforming them into products with more beauty benefits than ever!

(Vita Coco Coconut Oil – is my go to makeup remover these days)

And as far as the beauty benefits of coconut oil are concerned, the list is virtually endless. We all know that coconut oil has high hydrating properties that make it an ideal moisturizer for the skin and body, especially in those cool winter months. And our grandma’s have instilled in us, a deep faith over the hair-nourishing capacities of coconut oil. Seriously, not only does it work wonders for pre-head-wash oiling, it is also great for taming fly-aways or as a leave-in serum for smooth, frizz-free hair. I also use it as a lip balm sometimes, when my lips are extremely chapped and need an instant quick-fix. Other than this, coconut oil works well as a massage oil, body scrub (when mixed with sugar) and highly effective makeup remover too. For those who are into fitness and healthy cooking, coconut oil is quite a good option there too; it is known to increase metabolic rate and aid weight loss. Now when there is so much that one single product can do, wouldn’t you be singing praises of it too?

(Look what I cooked here with Vita Coco – Bruchetta and it was yummylicious)

As mentioned above though, not all varieties of coconut oil are quite as brilliant. You have to find a concoction that is genuine and optimally suited for use in one’s beauty regime. And I found the perfect product – I can’t stop gushing about it! It’s none other than Vita Coco – an organic, 100% raw, extra virgin coconut oil, derived using cold-pressing techniques. It is packed with antioxidants and numerous nutrients that have thus far, met all my beauty needs. I use Vita Coco for virtually everything – oiling my hair, healing irritated skin, removing stubborn makeup, on dry lips, cracked heels, and even for cleaning my makeup brushes! I have also used it to add some extra sheen to my eye makeup on special occasions. When I get the time, I intend to mix it with some Epsom Salts to create a DIY body scrub too. Clearly, I am a very big fan of Vita Coco.

If you want to try it out as well, it is easily available in big chain stores like Boots, Selfridges, Urban Outfitters, Holland and Barrett, Ocado.com, Tesco and Wholefoods. You could also buy it online at amazon.co.uk. I highly recommend it to anyone who needs some TLC at home, with just one awesome multipurpose product.

You can find more details about this product and some brilliant ideas at www.swearbyit.com

Star Rating – 5

Price -£9.99 (500ml

*The products in this post were sent to me for review, but all comments and review of the product is my own.

Fashion Trend Report for Spring Summer 2016

The Fashion Weeks of the world have wrapped up, and left us with many trends to be excited about. Some trends are never-before-seen, brand-spanking new, and others are old trends that have been reinterpreted in a fresh way. Without further ado, here are the five fashion trends to watch out for in twenty-sixteen!

Stripes

You might be thinking, “But stripes have been around forever!” and you certainly aren’t wrong, but 2016 will see the resurgence of this classic geometric print in a completely new avatar. This year, stripes are going to be larger than ever before – I’m talking super-sized stripes in bright, bold colours like sunset orange, fire-engine red and parrot green. Whether you rock these stripes vertically, horizontally or somewhere in between, remember that simple is always stylish.

Floral Prints

Again, this trend has been around for a few years, but has undergone many facelifts along the way. Previously restricted to feminine items like skirts,dresses and ruffle tops, floral trends will make their foray onto more gender-neutral silhouettes like trousers, structured blazers et al. Unlike the delicate floral motifs of the past, floral prints in 2016 will be brighter, bolder and bigger than ever before. Make a statement; make it loud!

Culottes

When culottes first showed up on the stage of fashion, they were met with mixed reactions from most people. In an era of streamlined silhouettes, culottes seemed out of place and impossible to style; however, the story has changed and wide-legged, flowing culottes are set to become one of the hottest trends for the year. It is important to invest in a pair of culottes that are made from high quality fabric, and that end a few inches below the knee. I like to style culottes with a fitted crop top or corset style top, and throw on a structured blazer for some extra oomph.

Bold Strap Footwear

This trend is another example of the fact that traditional gender roles and norms are breaking down, resulting in fashion trends that are more fluid and neutral. Sandals with wide, bold straps are going to be extremely popular in 2016. Not only are they super comfortable; they are also extremely versatile and make a great style statement.

Brogues

These bad-boys were originally made for men; however, they are an essential part of every woman’s shoe collection today. 2016 will see brogues reinterpreted in a modern way, with new fabrics, new colours and new prints taking over this classic shoe. They can be worn with everything, from lady-like mid-length skirts to boyfriend jeans .

PS: If you have read this post till the end, here is a surprise for you, I will be personally testing and showcasing these trends on my blog in coming days, so keep following and get new tips on how to follow these new trends bang on!

BeneFit Cosmetics POREfessional Matte Rescue Review

I’ve recently come across many ardent fans of the BeneFit POREfessional range, and so got really curious about these products. I finally got my hands on the newly launched Matte Rescue Gel which claims to reduce pores, tackle excess oil problems and also keep the skin hydrated, thanks to the Benefit Haul.

I have combination skin and am always on the lookout for good mattifying products, especially during the warmer months of the year. This gel based formula seemed to be perfect for my needs, since it also contains diamond powder for a soft focus pore-blurring effect. I was surprised by the light blue shade of the gel and the cooling effect it had on my skin. It felt nice though, and a small amount was enough to cover the entire face. Plus is that it comes in a tube and is very handy to carry around as well.

On putting it on, I immediately noticed that my face looked fresh and oil-free, with none of that off-putting shiny finish. Thus, it can be used directly as a moisturizer or even as a primer too. In fact, some foundations react with excess facial oil, making the skin look darker as the day progresses; but with the BeneFit POREfessional Matte Rescue Gel, this can be prevented to a great extent. My recommendation would be to use it for sure if you are going to be wearing makeup for more than 8 hrs in a day as it will help protect the colour of the foundation and make it look fresh all day.

My final take on this product it is that it’s wonderful for those with combination or oily skin. It has great hydrating ability and keeps your face shine-free for longer, while also reducing visibility of pores. I think I might be buying this again once I’m done with this tube!

Price: £21.50

Star Rating: 4 Stars

Pros:

Great price
Does it what it says

Cons:

not recommended for dry skins
can be drying in winter months

*The products in this post were sent to me for review, but all comments and review of the product is my own.

Clarins Blue Orchid Face Treatment Oil for Dehydrated Skin – Review

In recent months, I have found myself moving away from facial serums. In fact, I have been on the hunt for a new face oil to rejuvenate my skin, so when I laid my eyes on the Clarins Blue Orchid Face Treatment Oil, I knew that I had to try it. This product is specially formulated for dehydrated skin and it is made entirely from pure plant extracts, including Rosewood, Patchouli and Blue Orchid. It also contains Hazelnut Oil, which is known to lock moisture in to your skin and prevent the formation of fine lines. What more does a woman need? I have been using this product for over a month now, and have been pleasantly surprised to see that it lives up to its claims. The first thing I have noticed about this face oil is that it really does moisturise your skin, and how!

After only a few uses, my skin felt soft, supple and super hydrated. This also resulted in a more flawless finish when I applied my makeup because my foundation sat better and for much longer on my skin. I also noticed that when my skin had drunk up all the moisture from this product, it started to look brighter, radiant and really, really healthy. This face oil is especially great for the winter, when your skin is dry, dull and in need of ‘a little more’ to revitalise it. I absolutely love that the consistency is very thin and light for an oil, so it spreads quite easily and absorbs into the skin very quickly. It leaves behind a slight glow, as opposed to a greasy, heavy or oily finish. In my books, that is a major plus point!While the product revitalises lifeless, dehydrated skin, I have also noticed that it has a subtle toning effect that minimises the appearance of pores and really tightens them up. It has a similar effect on blemishes – it sooths any raw, red inflammations and completely banishes the blemishes within a couple of days. Overall, I have seen a positive change in the appearance and texture of my skin.
So, how should you use this product for optimal results? The best time of day to apply this product is the evening, as recommended by Clarins. After you have cleansed and toned your face, apply a small amount of the oil to your face and neck, and let your skin soak up all the goodness overnight. I promise that you will feel like a brand new person in the morning!

Price: £32.00

Pros:

Moisturizing
Lasts Long
Nourishing

Cons:

You still need serum or morning face cream in winter months
Slightly on the expensive end

MeeBox Feb 2016 Box Review

Today I’m reviewing a beauty box that I really enjoyed using. MeeBox is exclusively for the nail nerds. It comprises of only nail-care and nail-art products and is available with two kinds of subscription packages. You can either go in for a monthly subscription at £20 or save £6 with a quarterly subscription of £54.I personally love the concept of subscription boxes. They expose you to new brands and products which you may not have bought off a store otherwise. These are the sort of products you see at a store, are extremely fascinated by too, but always forgo in favour of a tried and tested product. A beauty box is like a blind purchase where you are pushed out of your comfort zone and try new things.So, when I got this MeeBox in my mail, I was super excited to open and see what’s inside. The anticipation and final reveal in itself was quite thrilling. Even before I unpacked it though, I was quite impressed by the sturdy yet beautiful packaging. Inside, there were four products, wrapped in a confetti-themed paper and when I got past the cuteness of it, this is what I found inside:

Smith and cult £19
Leighton Denny £11
Nails Inc £14
Sparkly nails £1.50
Plus Chanel (for those who received it) £18

As you can see above, the RRP of these nail products totals at approximately £63.50 which is far more than the price of this MeeBox. And each of the polishes was a distinct, lovely shade. The peach Smith and Cult is great for a soothing, office look. The red Leighton Denny would go well with a party outfit and the gold, sparkly Nails Inc makes for a great top coat. For those who love nail art, the Sparkly Nails crystals are perfect for making patterns over your polish; trust me, when you start with that, nail painting becomes so much more fun!I really liked this MeeBox because there was a wide range of products and you’d be sure to find something to your liking, no matter what your personal style is. As soon as I opened it, I began experimenting and you can see the results in this picture of my newly-done nails. Don’t they look great?

*The products in this post were sent to me for review, but all comments and review of the product is my own.

Urban Decay Naked Flushed Palette Review

Urban Decay products are known for their outstanding quality. Needless to say, I had very high hopes from the Urban Decay Naked Flushed palette and I’m glad to report that this product not only met my expectations, but exceeded them. This palette contains a gorgeous bronzer, silky highlighter and beautiful blush. This product comes in three shades – Native, Streak and Strip. I opted for Strip, which complements my olive-toned skin really well.

Naked Urban Decay Flushed Pallete Review

The highlighter in this product is really, really good. As per the standard rules of contouring, I use the highlighter on the areas that I want to focus the light upon, and I use the bronzer to shadow and lend depth to my face.

But what I absolutely adore about this product is the blush! It’s definitely my favourite of the three and I use it on its own as well as in combination with the highlighter and bronzer if I’m doing a full face of makeup. Unfortunately, it does not come with a brush so I bought the double-ended brush by Urban Decay to use with it. And what a great combination that is! I use the bigger side for the blush and bronzer, and the smaller side for the highlighter. This routine works really well for me.

Naked Urban Decay Flushed Pallete Review 2

Personally, I prefer powder highlighters and blushes to cream ones. I find that powder formulations keep the oiliness at bay. They are also much easier to blend.

Overall, this is a great product; however, I would love to see more colour options. A brush tucked inside would be really handy as well! Good going, Urban Decay.

Cost: £23.50

Pros:

Great Powder
Brilliant Coverage
Neat packaging
Cost Effective as you get 3 products in 1
Compact & Travel Friendly

Cons:

Missing a space to carry brush

Benefit Cosmetics Porefessional Instant Wipeout Masks Review

As part of the Benefit haul that I spoke about earlier on my instagram account, I snapped up an exciting product from the brand’s Porefessional series – behold the Benefit Porefessional Instant Wipeout Masks!It goes without saying that the packaging was really good – as it usually is with most Benefit products – so this one made a great first impression. The two-step application process was rather interesting as well. The product comes with sheet masks (these are all the rage right now!) and serum in a plastic bubble which you must “pop” to soak your sheet mask in the serum. Fascinating, right? The serum is loaded with mushroom extract which is known to clarify and tighten pores.

What I absolutely loved about the sheet masks was that the sheet was custom made to sit comfortably on the nose and cheeks, where most people have a plethora of open pores. I tend to have open pores on my chin from time to time as well so I tore off some of the sheet for that region of my face. The product has an immediate cooling effect on the skin which lingers long after you have removed the mask. It really feels like it goes to work on your skin!

You apply the smooth side to your skin and let the mask work it’s magic for ten minutes, after which, you can use the rough side to remove the excess product. It is small and thoughtful features like this, that I absolutely love in a product.

Overall, this is a good face mask to attack your open pores, remove dirt and rejuvenate your skin. I would give it four stars out of five. I’ve used it a couple of times so far but with eight masks in a box, I know that it will last me a while. I have dry to normal skin so I use this product every few weeks, but for those of you with oily skin, once a week is a good idea.

Pros:

It does what it says
Really good and hygenic packaging
Travel Friendly

Cos:

Slightly Expensive (£3.06 per sheet mask)

Rating : 4 Stars

Price: £24.50 for 8 Sheets

*The products in this post were sent to me for review, but all comments and review of the product is my own.

London Fashion Week – Look of the Day – Makeup Breakdown (LOTD)

If you are a regular follower to the blog, you would know by now that I love my subtle no makeup looks a lot, and for the day time mostly you would see me more often than not repeating the less is more Mantra! Well but for this one I have gone a tiny bit over the top, if I must say so 😉 and why not it was Fashion Week and it only happens twice so I did have some, getting a bit overboard with my makeup. I had lots of people pinging me for close-up images and makeup-breakdown for the days I was there, and here is a makeup breakdown of my Day 3 at London Fashion Week. I hope you like it. Please do leave a comment below, in case you have any questions that you would like me to answer regarding your makeup query or this specific look. I love to talking to all my readers whenever I get the chance.

Products used for this look are:

Mac Strobe Cream
Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua Ultra-Light Foundation with SPF 15
DIOR Diorskin Nude AIR Loose Powder
Mac Groundwork Paint Pot
Benefit Magic Ink Eyeliner in JetBlack
Urban Decay Naked Eyeshadow Pallete (Sin, Creep & Hustle)
Urban Decay Perversion Mascara
Clinique Chubby Stick Intense Moisturizing Lip Colour Balm – Plushest Punch
Urban Decay Naked Skin Weightless coverage concealer

All Under 10 Products – well that is pretty cool isn’t it!

London Fashion Week AW16 – Outfit Details #OOTD

Finally, the wait is over and I am incredibly excited to share my London Fashion Week outfits with all of you.

This year’s, London Fashion Week was held from the 19^th to the 23^rd of February and I attended the first three days. Needless to say, it was an extremely busy weekend, filled with several fashion shows and a lot of travelling across London, but it was totally worth it!As always, February is a very cold month in London and it was much more windy that I had anticipated (you will see what I mean as you see my #ootd pictures!) so it was important that I stay fashionable and cosy.

Day 1

The first day of London Fashion Week was pleasant, but breezy. I attended a special movie screening at the 20^th Century Fox Studio in Soho as well, which made it a very long day, but that is nothing new for a Friday night in London is it, apologies I was so busy the first day running around, I actually missed taking lots of pics of my outfit, so typical of me TBH and the one below is the one from my iPhone courtesy a nice friendly person at one of the events. You can find all the outfit details below to see what I wore this day.Outfit details:

Coat – Powder Blue Coat by Marks & Spencer
Shoes – Blue Platform Heel Shoes by Marks & Spencer
Scarf – Heart Prints Scarf by Mint Velvet
Blouse -Mauve Satin Blouse by Reiss
Skirt – Midi Length Skirt by Joys Store

Day 2Having been more fashion conscious than practical and walking around in heels on the first day of London Fashion Week, I was ready to give my aching feet a well-deserved rest. I was so glad that I had remembered to pack my flat Aldo shoes! I always make sure that I pack at least one pair of flat shoes when I travel, especially when I am going to be on my feet all day long. London is all about walking, whenever I travel to London I love taking lazy strolls around, its such a place that you never grow out of it. The day started out rather pleasant, but ended with buckets on rain. In fact, I had to duck into a hotel for lunch to simply find some cover.

But overall a good day with lots of running around in rain and attending shows. But you know what however busy I am, I will always find time to take a coffee break. I am addicted to coffee trying to reduce my intake but you know what I love it still. Below is a pic from my stop to Nero!Outfit Details

Coat – Powder Blue Coat by Marks & Spencer
Jeans – Blue Skinny by Zara
Blouse – Black Lace by Jack Wills
Scarf – Maxi Sarf with Geometric Prints by Oasis
Necklace – Statement Necklace Silver by Marks & Spencer
Shoes – Brown Flat Shoes by AldoDay 3

My final day in London had arrived, but I have no doubt that I will be back soon! The day started out rather cold, or at least, I felt that way, so I slipped into a big jacket to stay cosy. I was really happy that the weather warmed up later in the day, and as the sun came out, I found myself in my groove and having fun as usual.We visited the London Bridge, Westminster Abbey and finally, Tate Britain. Strolling around the galleries is definitely one of my favourite things to do in London. This day definitely reminded me of my love for London – it is one of my favourite cities in the world and a place where I truly feel at home. I can’t wait to be back!Outfit Details –

Jacket – by Esprit
Shorts – Jeans Shorts by Fat Face
Blouse – Stripe Tshirt by Jack Wills
Scarf – Maxi Sarf with Geometric Prints by Oasis
Cap – Marks & Spencer
Sunglasses – Coach
Necklace – Statement Necklace Silver by Marks & Spencer
Shoes – Brown Flat Shoes by AldoIn case you missed it here is a round up of all the London fashion week shows I attended.

Toga Wacky AW16 – London Fashion Week Review

I have kept you updated on the interesting collections that I came across at the London Fashion Week 2016. Adding to the bounty of titbits from this fashion mega-event, here’s a post about Toga’s whacky Autumn Winter collection called “Pleasures, Nature, Concurrence”.

Before I get into details about the collection itself, I must give you some extra info on this designer label. After all, you can’t truly appreciate a collection unless you know what fashion philosophy it is arising from. So TOGA is one of Japan’s leading designer brands, founded by Yasuko Furuta in 1997. In the past twenty years, the international presence of this brand has increased manifold and TOGA has received several prestigious awards for their creations. I have to admit though, what first draw me to the brand was its name. A toga actually is a blessed robe and that is exactly what Furuta’s design ideology is – creating unique outfits that are carry hidden complexities, layered structures and fine detailing. The apparel by this brand is crafted based on much research on fabric, many experiments with styling and continual fusion of different genres. And the final product reflects this effort beautifully, as evident from their AW 2016 collection.

TOGA’s “Pleasures, Nature, Concurrence” was full of eclectic clothing that drew inspiration from the natural world. It used varied motifs of animals, geological shapes, organic foods and even microorganisms like paramecium and bacteria. The objects incorporated into their designs were seemingly chosen at random, with an attempt to celebrate the beauty of anarchy. Many of the outfits had patchwork pockets and sleeves, asymmetrical, flowy silhouettes and many other eccentric nuances.

What I liked about this collection is that every garment sort of told a story. But you had to find the plot for yourself to enjoy its wild, wacky vibe. It certainly had me intrigued, what about you?