Pins Of The Week/Weekly Chit Chat #3

This poorly-maintained feature is back! Apologies..I've been pretty rubbish at blogging the past few weeks, but my Pinterest (as always) has been alive and well. When I go quiet on here rest assured I'll be pinning away regardless. Here's what I've been loving this week!

Image sources: The Sun, modernhepburn.tumblr.com, blancuie.tumblr.com, thegirlnextdior.tumblr.com

• I finally got my hair done after a long long period of procrastination. I went through a phase of being red but quickly realised how high maintenance the colour is. Instead, I had my locks chopped to shoulder length and dyed dark (it's still got some red coming through but I quite like it.) I was unhappy with it at first but I think it's what needed to happen. And how hot does KP look with, essentially, the same chop? I need to learn that my hair is never going to be long and silky...so why not embrace short and crazy instead? (Just convincing myself over here.)
• Clothing wise, all I'm lusting after is shirts: plaid, chambray, denim, you name it and I probably want it. The weather in England is a little glum again but definitely not cold, so a shirt is a perfect option for a casual daytime look. Or anytime look. I like to sleep in shirts too so I'm quite literally living in them.
• I'm off to Berlin next week so have begun thinking about what I want to pack. I think a grey maxi and a big felt hat is going to be my go-to look. Anyone been to Berlin? Please leave me your tips on exploring the city or leave links to blog posts if you've documented your travels! I'm really excited to visit so I will definitely be doing a post/posts on my time when I return so watch this space if you're interested.
• The above advice should be employed by all and we'd have a very nice world to live in.

Thank you for sticking with me in my absence! Alas, I will be away next week and no, I don't have any posts scheduled (I'm not one of those organised bloggers...yet) but I will be back with some snaps from my travels.
How has your week been? As always, thank you for reading xo

Try The Trend: Brown Lip Look

Brown lipstick- in varying shades- seems to be big this year. After relentless "Kylie Jenner" pinks it's quite nice to see an unusual trend emerging! I've seen this done many ways- from really dark to a verging-on-nude shade (think MAC Stone liner) though I find that the slightly darker end of the spectrum suits me better. This look may feel kind of scary at first but it has quickly become one of my favourites. Here's my attempt at the trying the trend!

Products used:

Rimmel Lasting Finish Liner in Cappuccino

MUA Lipstick in Bare
(Obviously you don't have to use these exact products!)

I love this liner! Yes, it is quite dark, but it's easy to blend and looks brilliant when paired with a nude lipstick. It's a perfect mid brown and it wears well, so I definitely recommend it. I like to fill in two thirds of my lip with this. After lining and filling I blend the colour out with a lip brush or cotton bud to ensure it isn't too harsh.

I then like to use a nude lipstick to fill into the centre of my lips. This is MUA Bare. I also love Clinique Perfect Beige for this look but my one is rather old and not fit to be photographed! (but this is a really affordable lipstick of the same hue.) Finally I like to add a little bit of powder to my lips (lightly, with a fluffy brush) in order to set it. If you own a matte nude then this step isn't necessary but I do think a little powder lifts the darkness and creates a really soft tone to the overall look. I'm always lightly setting my lipstick with powder seeing as I'm not a massive fan of matte lipsticks!

I think this is a look that anyone can wear. It can be a little vampy so if you want to steer clear of that then keep the rest of your makeup light. I personally like this lip with a matte bronzer and a 'greasy' gold/brown shadow.

What are your thoughts on the brown lip trend? Let me know below! xo

How To Take A Maxi Dress From Day To Night

A simple grey maxi dress is one of my favourite things to wear: not only is it comfy but it's also incredibly versatile. Perfect for a casual day out and a great choice for travel (read my Airport Fashion Picks here if you haven't already) maxis can easily be dressed up for the evening as well. Here's how I like to do it!

Daytime 

Dress: Primark | Shirt: Next | Hat: Atmosphere | Trainers: Nike Roshe | Necklace: Acessorise | Watch: Next 

Keeping it super casual in the daytime is the key! However, I do often feel like this dress needs a little clinch at the waist. A plaid shirt does just the job without the need for a belt whilst adding a touch of colour. I'm loving casual dresses/skirts with trainers at the minute, so this felt like the natural pairing. This straw hat is great for sunny days, though I'm secretly lusting after an old-school baseball cap (don't ask why, I can't explain it!) I love this outfit for everyday casual summer style.

   

Evening

Dress: Primark | Hat: Whistles | Belt: Zara | Clutch: John Lewis | Sandals: Ugly Duckling | Watch: Next | Lipstick: Clinique Berry Freeze

To dress this maxi up I like to add a little touch of bling and a few extra elements. This clutch is seriously sparkly but the hat and casual sandals keep the outfit wearable. I love this white studded belt from Zara for some extra detail. I like the keep my accessories 'city chic' (lol) to avoid the 'holiday' look that a maxi can often veer towards.

That's all folks! I hope you like the way I take this outfit from day to night. I personally prefer to reserve printed maxis for abroad, but a plain simple one can be a great addition to any everyday wardrobe. I would love to know how you style yours! xo

My Airport Fashion Picks

The fine balance between travelling stylishly and comfortably is a tricky one to keep in equilibrium. I'm guessing that most celebrities got quickly bored of the fact that the airport is the new runway, but I can't get enough of airport fashion. You might hold the opinion that looking stylish can simply be reserved for your destination, but I think that airport fashion can be a fun challenge. Any chance to combine style and comfort is one I like! Below are my picks for airport style success, ideally suited for city break travel.

 by naomiupton on Polyvore

Current Elliott tartan plaid flannel shirt
net-a-porter.com
I'm obsessed with flannel shirts at the minute- stylish wrapped around the waist and a great layer to complete any relaxed look.

Finders Keepers ankle length skirt
collectivehabit.com
Maxi skirts are such an easy option for travel. Avoid jeans if you can. Comfier and cooler than denim, maxi skirts look good with every kind of shoe. 

NIKE Roshes
selfridges.com
In my wardrobe. The comfiest shoes I own! I love the look of trainers and a skirt if done casually. Chances are, if you're going somewhere warm, these will be your bulkiest shoe- so wearing trainers keeps you comfy and saves you some valuable packing space.

River Island white glasses
riverisland.com
Sunnies are an essential for when you arrive...or just to hide tired eyes! 

Topshop grey linen t-shirt
topshop.com
In my wardrobe. A loose, comfy t-shirt is a great choice for travel.

I think the key to comfort and style when travelling is most definitely layering, especially if the UK is your starting point. Keep it loose and simple, with plenty of leeway for losing some items as you touchdown someplace warmer.

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You can follow me on Polyvore here. My personal wardrobe Pinterest board is here and my style board is here.

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Happy pinning, planning, styling and travelling! xo

Summer Skincare For Combination/Oily Skin

For me, summer skincare is all about improving the quality of my skin tone and controlling the shine that inevitably arrives with warmer weather.

For reference, my skin is:
Combination/Oily
Generally clear but very prone to hormonal breakouts
Sensitive and therefore prone to looking pink/uneven

Despite all this, I still think that it's nice to let your skin breathe in the summer- either by skipping the foundation or leaning towards something lighter- so I have found a few products that are really evening out the tone/texture of my skin and at the same time keeping oil at bay in preparation for either breathing free or creating a great makeup base. Here they are in the order that I use them!

Witch Oil Control Cleanser- Summer heat can wreak havoc with combo/oily skin. I get shiny quickly if my makeup isn't prepped and set properly when the sun is out. I rarely want a heavy base on in the heat so using this cleanser really helps to control my skin's oil production in the first place. Its effect is gentle, so if you want a subtle 'matte' effect from the very beginning of your routine, this is great (it's not going to dry you out I promise.) Oily skin that's going to be prepped properly (moisturised!) needs this head start.

Avene Eau Thermale- I'm addicted to this water (yes, it is just water...but some really nice water) After cleansing my skin I spritz this all over my face. It calms any redness in my skin and leaves my face soothed ready for moisturiser. I did a full post on this 'Holy Water' here if you want to learn more. 

Avene Eau Thermale Moisturiser- If you're oily then you might be tempted to skip moisturiser- especially in the summer when there's no harsh winter air to dry you out around the T-zone- but all skin needs to be moisturised. If you skip this step then your skin will overcompensate for the moisture it lacks by producing even more oil. To combat shine, look for a mosturiser like this one that's oil-free. This cream is suitable for oilier skin: it calms and leaves my face feeling well nourished but not greasy. It also seems to have a calming effect on my sensitive skin (this range is brilliant for skin with a tendency to flare up.) With an SPF of 20, this is the perfect formulation for protected summer skin that looks even and feels smooth.

Garnier Ultralift- This is a heavy cream and probably not best suited to most combo/oily people in the day time. However... I thought I'd drop this in since I've been loving the way this has improved my skin's appearance, which is a great perk in the summer when it's nice to go makeup-free. It claims it improves fine lines- and whilst I have 'young' skin, this has really helped my frown lines! (I really need to learn to relax my brow...)

Garnier Fresh Cleansing Lotion- This is a product perfect for all skin types, but I love the way this lotion works to remove makeup at the end of the day. Applied to a cotton pad, this removes everything and leaves you skin soft unlike face wipes that can often dry out even the more oilier skin types.

Do you share my skin type or use any of these products? I'd love to read your recommendations below! xo

Review: Mary Kay True Dimensions Lipstick

Before I got my hands on these, my knowledge of US brand Mary Kay was pretty much limited to the mention in Kacey Musgraves' song, 'Merry Go Round.' Her mama's hooked on it though...so there's gotta be something to it! From what I can gather, the brand is kind of mid-range (MAC-esque) and pretty popular (correct me, US readers, if I am wrong.) These new shades of their True Dimensions lipsticks are recent releases and retail at £14 here in the UK: here's what I thought of the two shades I tried. 

Packaging The look of these lipsticks is really stunning. They come in individual boxes that look sleek and professional. The casing of the product itself is the most interesting thing. The lids come all the way down the bullet and open by clicking and pushing the top window of the lipstick. Interesting, but I can see myself getting frustrated when I try to put my lipstick on in a rush and realise they don't function the same way as the rest of the lipstick world!

Product

Barely Nude- A pink-toned nude

Tangerine Pop- A coral-toned orange 

(Both contain some shimmer)

The formula of the True Dimensions lipsticks is infused with sunflower seed oil, jojoba and mango butter to help keep lips smooth, along with vitamin E to help protect lips from free radicals and environmental damage. This therefore means that they're incredibly creamy and sit somewhere between a gloss and a lipstick. As you can see below...the effect is amazing. These make a perfect everyday lipstick, especially for summer- the sheen finish makes them extremely wearable.

Downsides? The smell of these isn't the best. They smell and taste quite 'waxy.' I'm pretty sure they're rose-scented, so if that floats your boat you'll be fine. If not, well, you may just find that they look so good on that the smell/taste is a non-issue (that's my attitude!)

Despite the slight downside to this product, I think the finish is amazing and very wearable. Would I rather have a MAC lipstick for £2 more? Yes. However, these lipsticks are incredibly pretty and I will definitely be getting some serious use out of them this summer. 

What's your experience with Mary Kay? Let me know if you like the sound of these lipsticks! xo 

#OOTD Double Print

 Top: Warehouse | Trousers: Primark | Necklace: Topshop | Boots: New Look

Happy Saturday! (And Happy 4th of July to all my US readers!) Believe me when I say that this combo is me being adventurous. I would usually wear this top with a pair of jeans, or these trousers with a plain tank. I know- I dress way too safely!

I reckon the key to double printing is tying things together somehow and letting one pattern speak louder than the other. The pattern on my top is pretty minimal in order to let those trousers do the talking! I then added a hot pink bag into the mix to bring the whole thing together and ensure that each item has a 'colour pair.' 

I love hot pinks and oranges for summer...but obviously gotta stay grounded with a bit of dedication to the darkest and best colour!

How do you like to style prints? Let me know! xo

June Favourites

Hello July! It's time for a roundup of my beauty besties for June. I've got a lot to say about some of these babies so you might want to get comfy... (and yes I realise I hadn't washed my brushes when I snapped these pics...they're clean now I swear!)

VO5 Firm Hold Hairspray I've finally found a hairspray that I like! This stuff keeps my curls in and my frizz at bay. So many affordable hairsprays leave hair crispy and gross, but this provides a great finish. It smells kinda like watermelon too.

Real Techniques Sculpting & Stippling Brushes I love Real Techniques and the women behind the brand, and whilst I've tried some of their smaller brushes before, I was super excited to get my hands on some face brushes. I'm going to review them quickly but separately since I have so much to say about them!

Sculpting brush: This angled brush is seriously the key to a perfect contour. It works amazingly with both cream and powder, so I like to use my cream Laroc contour then 'set' this with Benefit Hoola bronzer- all with just this one brush! It's the perfect size, angle and density to just slot beneath those cheekbones to carve out the perfect look.

Stippling brush: This brush is perfect if you want a really flawless but light coverage. I personally prefer a medium coverage at least, so this isn't my favourite foundation brush of all time (plus I'm addicted to my beauty blender anyway) but I can really appreciate how amazing this brush is if you like a lighter coverage, so thought I'd drop it in the faves!

Rimmel Stay Matte Primer I love this primer particularly for the way that it improves bare skin's appearance. It's a creamy consistency that sinks into the skin like a moisturiser, but leaves your skin beautifully matte. I wouldn't say it really helps with pore size but it definitely keeps shine at bay.

Garnier Fresh Cleansing Lotion I was looking for a product to take off both my eye makeup and my foundation, seeing as I find makeup wipes kinda gross (I just feel likes I'm smearing dirt all over my face?) This gentle lotion works like magic! I still have to wash my face after using it- just out of habit- but it really does do an excellent job. If I've been wearing particularly heavy makeup I find this so helpful in case I miss a spot through washing alone! 

St Tropez Instant Tan This stuff is going to be my summer addiction. This is a baby bottle given to me by a friend but I just know I'm going to get my hands on a full sized one sooner or later seeing as I've been going through this stuff at a crazy rate. A really gorgeous matte-finish instant tan that dries quickly, lasts ages (day to night-out proof at least) and washes off  easily with soap and warm water.

Kiko Shadow A beautiful little Kiko store just opened in Nottingham. I haven't had a chance to spend long in there but this shadow really caught my eye. This is shade 118 (grr, brands that don't name their shadows)- a brown/bronze with a shimmer finish. The pigment in it isn't sensational but it's pretty good and the colour is just so gorgeous! I can't wait to explore the store some more (recommendations please!)

Have you tried any of my June favourites? Let me know below! xo