Pivoine Flora Tutorial

Pinks are notoriously difficult to wear on the eye as choosing the wrong shade can instantly make you look far from bright eyed and bushy tailed. If I do decided to brave a pink eyeshadow I like it to have some frost, and to accent the pink with another cooler or more neutral colour. The new L'Occitane Pivoine Flora Petals Eye Quartet makes this super easy by putting together four eyeshadows that work in perfect harmony to create a range of looks incorporating feminine pinks and purples.

I hope that this tutorial helps you to work some girlie pinks into your eyeshadow collection and wear them with confidence!


Products Used:

UDPP

Max Factor Smoky Eye Effect in Pink Plume

L'Occitane Pivoine Flora Petals Eye Quartet

Max Factor Liquid Effect pencil in Violet Voltage

L'Oreal Volume Million Lashes Mascara 

L'Occitane Rose Reverence Facecolour Cream Duo

L'Occitane Pivoine Flora Incredible Lip Shine

Nails: China Glaze Pink-Rox-E

Blurb: This is not a sponsored video. Products used in this video were provided for review consideration, but as always I only use those I like and would recommend :).

I hope you get a chance to try out this fun, girlie and most of all wearable pink look this summer! xxx

He-Shi Express Liquid Tan

Over the last few weeks I have been trying out a few different fake tans in an attempt to get that illusive Summer glow that the English sun doesn't permit. As I have mentioned before I am no tanning expert and tend to be rather impatient when it comes to applying tanning products. Unlike other pampering routines I see the whole process as a bit of a chore, so the quicker and easier the better.

Keeping this in mind my favourite so far has been the He-Shi Express Liquid Tan. At first I was a little wary of the 'liquid' nature of the product, but it is actually one of the simplest formulas I have ever worked with. You only need a few drops at a time on the tanning mitt and the liquid spreads evenly and easily with minimum effort, especially as you don't have to work it into the skin in the same way as a cream or foam product. It has a pretty strong tint that not only helps to give you instant colour if you are heading out, but also ensures even coverage and no streaking as you can see exactly where you have applied it and how well you have blended. I usually leave mine to develop overnight and have been pleased with its minimal staining, though of course some is always to be expected. I recommend having an old pair of loose fitting pjs reserved especially for those 'fake tan' nights... or as some have recommended a onesie. Though that's a whole other topic...

In addition, being a liquid formulation the He-Shi liquid tan sets on the skin very quickly, which not only cuts down on time spent in that awkward 'drying position'...you all know the one I mean...

but it also helps if you want to build a few layers to deepen the colour. As with most tans it still has the DHA scent that we all know and loathe, but it isn't overly strong, and is only perceptible on the first day after application. Usually my tan lasts about 5 days, and given you exfoliate before application and moisturise regularly while tanned it fades evenly and naturally without any patchiness.

I have worn this tan in various posts already.. fooling you all with my bronzed glow hehe ;)

This is now one of my absolute Summer staples as it's so quick and hassle free to apply and works almost instantly. It was sent to me for review purposes, but I will most definitely be repurchasing when the time comes, though so far I have used very little as a few drops really do go a long way!

He-Shi Express Liquid Tan is £19 and can be found here.

Have you tried the He-Shi liquid tan or any other He-Shi products? What faux tans will you be using this sunny season? xxx

Liverpool

This weekend I took the first of what is to be many trips to Liverpool. Being a London girl through and through I was surprised by how much I enjoyed the city. Even though the trip was just a taster it gave me lots of ideas of things to do the next time I visit! Everyone was so friendly and helpful, I guess it is true what they say about the North ;)!

On Friday we stayed at the Base2Stay boutique hotel, which was in a great location, minutes from Lime Street Station, the city centre and most importantly for me the Liverpool One shopping centre, which reminded me of an open air Westfield.

After a quick change we headed to the Albert Docks for dinner at the Blue Bar and Grill. I chose a midi dress from Oasis (on sale in store, online here) with Primark turquoise stone and leather sandals.

The bf wore a checked shirt from Ted Baker that I picked out a few weeks ago. I really like the thicker, classic blue check mixed with a thin 'zingy' lime stripe. The cool colour palette really sets off a tan and with it's rolled up sleeves works perfectly for the Summer!

The next day we were up early to explore the town in the beautiful sunshine. The perfect excuse to wear my new tortoiseshell sunglasses from Fiorelli that I picked up in a recent BrandAlley sale.

  Cool kids!

Star jumpsuit - Zara. Shoes - Primarni (as before).

I hope you all had a lovely weekend in the sunshine! xxx

Work It Out: Bow

Everyone needs a little shift dress - it suits any bodyshape and can hide all manner of sins, even a big pasta lunch in my case ;).

 Bow Shift Dress - Ted Baker.  Shoes - Zara

With a cardigan or suit jacket for the day and a statement clutch for the evening a shift dress is a perfect transition piece from morning to night.

Glee!

On Tuesday night the bf and I went to see the cast of Glee live at the O2. Having received the tickets as a New Year gift (Russians celebrate New Year instead of Christmas, so I celebrate both!) we were eagerly anticipating the date... though when I say we I really mean just me.

Yup.. I'm a total Gleek ;). 

Swallow print dress is from Oasis sale here.

Luckily we had pretty good seats, so it was actually easier to watch the stage than the screens and the mini stage in the middle of the arena was right opposite us. I took too many pictures to share them all, but here are a few of my favourites :).

It's Britney B*tch.. or Bitey in this photo lol ;).

Puck walked through the crowd accompanied by 5 bodyguards... tough guy huh?

Mercedes was incredible.. such a powerful voice!

The Warblers!

 All the single ladies...

and Kurt...

 We had such an amazing night that I almost lost my voice. I admit I am the world's worst singer, but if there's a prize for trying... ;).

Do you love Glee? Did you see them in concert this week? Did I just completely shatter your opinion of me? lol xxx