Halloween Makeup Tutorial: Tiger

When trying to write my review on Nanshy brushes I decided the best way to test them out was to use them properly and I thought why not experiment with halloween makeup? I've created a look, inspired by meganheartsmakeup's halloween youtube video. She created a fab tiger look, which I recreated. There are some changes, for example I didn't draw the stripes down my neck and I did a golden smokey eye instead of a dark one.

Here's a headshot of the whole look. I'm sorry my hair covers some of the stripes on one side. To create all the stripes I used my ELF Gel Eyeliner with my Nanshy Precise Bent Eyeliner Brush. For some of the thicker stripes I used a finished/dried pen eyeliner and dipped into the gel. For foundation I used ELF's Tinted Moisturiser. I think it worked really well for this look as it is light enough to not hide my freckles (I thought they made the tiger look more...authentic?) and didn't cake or flake as I built the look. This is also what I used on my lips. To cover up my under-eyes I used Benefit's Boi-ing concealer and I touched up any spots and also added this slightly to my lower lip. To finish off the face I used Mac Studio Fix powder to finish covering all spots and to seal in the coverup on my lips. For colour on my face I skipped out blush and bronzer (but I would recommend to bronze as I think it would boost the look) but I used a lot of highlighter. I used ELF's Shimmer Palette to contour my cheekbones and the bridge of my nose. The palette comes with 4 pretty colours but I only used the gold in this look. To seal the deal on my highlighter I tapped on some of my Topshop pearly highlighter in Crescent Moon - this is discontinued I just double checked it IS back in stock, but they still have a lovely gold highlighter (might be better for this look) in Sunbeam. 

They eyes were so much fun to do! I started by priming them with Too Faced Shadow Insurance and then as a base I used ELF's Shimmer Palette (also used as my highlighter's base). I used the gold colour and dabbed it onto my lids. Using my Urban Decay Naked 2 Palette and my Nanshy Large Shader brush I put Bootycall, Halfbaked and Suspect on my lid in order of mentioned so I started from lightest to darkest to start creating my smokey gradient. Then using Nanshy's Tapered Crease brush I used YDK in the crease of my eyelid and filled in my outer  corner with Busted. Using the Angled Definer brush I filled in my eyebrows using the colour Teased. Again taking ELF's Gel Eyeliner and the Precise Bent Eyeliner brush, I lined the whole of my top lash line and flicked it out at the end. I also took the brush inwards and dragged the eyeliner down till it reached the bridge of my nose. I lined my waterline and for mascara I used Covergirl's Lash Blast. 

Around my mouth, nose and lips I put on an extra coat of concealer and powder as I wanted to make it paler. I lined my nose with the gel eyeliner I have used for other parts of my tutorial and after making sure my top lip and space around it was dry I lined my top lip and filled it in and added some translucent powder to it so it wouldn't budge and then I added 5 dots to either side of my nose. I then drew whiskers on either of the dots.

It's easy if you ask me! How was your halloween? What did you dress up as? 

Nanshy Brushes

I received a lovely package from Nanshy brushes with their set of eye brushes! You can buy these lovely brushes from Amazon or BeautyStore4U. They are £29.95, that's around £5 per brush - I think it's a bargain! 

 All the brushes are 100% vegan and cruelty free. They are synthetic and are not tested on animals! When I heard this I got really excited!

The set comes with 7 brushes for every use. There is the: Precise Bent Eyeliner Brush, Angled Detailer Brush, Flat Definer Brush, Blending Eyeshadow Brush, Eye Crease Brush, Tapered Crease Brush and the Large Shader Brush. I think my favourites are the Large Shader and the Tapered Crease brushes! The brushes are so soft and dense and i've experienced no bristle fall out. They feel super high quality and I really recommend these! I think these are some of the best brushes i've ever tried. I have a halloween look coming soon using them and they really make the products look flawless! 

I hope to try more Nanshy brushes soon! I really recommend them. Thank you so much Nanshy! If you have any questions or recommendations about brushes comment down below! 

Disclaimer: These brushes were sent to me but all thoughts and opinions are 100% my own. All photos are taken by me.

ASOS Insider

Whilst I was shopping along the avenues of New York I received the exciting email about becoming an #AccessAllASOS Insider. I've seen tweets and pictures of many other bloggers becoming insiders too so I cannot wait till a future event where we can all mix and mingle. When I got back I received this lovely package from ASOS themselves. I love the hand-written card, I think it made the gift extra special. They sent me two lovely products: Rimmel's Tantrum Lip Stick and a cherry kiss lip balm! The lip balm is amazing, i've used it twice and it is amazing - my lips are so much softer already. The lipstick swatches a lot more pinker than it is on my lips and I also love it.

Thank you so much ASOS for letting me become an ASOS insider and for the lovely package! 

Disclaimer: This package was sent to me but I was not asked to write about it. All comments and thoughts are 100% honest. All pictures taken by me.

Guest Post: Huffpost

Five things to get excited about this autumn

The flip flops have been stored away and your tan is fading fast, but there's no need to mourn the passing of summer. From cosy fires to a whole new look, here are five reasons why we're excited about the coming months.

Natural high

Nothing lifts your spirits like a walk under gold, red and orange autumn leaves. Our beautiful countryside is transformed into a stunning colourful landscape that begs to be enjoyed after a Sunday roast. Getting fresh air will combat the winter blues and desire to hibernate, and kicking fallen leaves is not solely for the under 12's - that crunch is a guilty pleasure to us all!

New term, new look

You might not need to buy a pencil case and shiny school shoes any more, but we all recognise that fresh feeling that September brings. The new school year prompts a change in style and attitude at any age. Been meaning to learn a new skill? Enrol on a course for the autumn term. Try a different hair colour to compliment the dusky tones of your autumn/winter clothes. Speaking of which, no one can resist updating their wardrobe at this time of year, so whether you want heels, flats or fleecy styles, check out this season's must-have ladies' boots.  

Knitwear and opaque tights

Baggy knits and colourful cashmere smooth over all our lumps n' bumps, while thick tights will keep your legs warm so you can work that favourite floral tea dress all season long.

Log fires

A BBQ is great but there's nothing like snuggling up under a blanket and watching the flames of a log fire. Peaceful, meditative and definitely romantic, a roaring flame is the perfect accompaniment to a good book or an excuse to visit your local pub for a rainy afternoon. As if that weren't enough, you can also look forward to the fireworks and fun of Bonfire Night!

Filling food

Gone are the days of a light salad for lunch: embrace seasonal root vegetables by making homemade soups and stews, and sink into comforting classics like toad in the hole, sausage n' mash and pies for pudding and main. The dark evenings and dropping temperatures demand lengthy meals to warm us from the inside, so gather your loved ones and tuck in to tasty treats.

Boots I Covet

I want to start this post off with a disclaimer. On Monday (21st October) I'm going to New York and I'll be back on Saturday (26th). I will have my ipad and phone with me, which I can blog on but I don't know how good my wifi is and scheduling posts never works for me so I might be missing for a few days but as soon as i'm back i'll be right back on it. I still will be picking up most of my tweets, comments and emails! Now the boring part has been said lets start the post:

I had such a great response to my previous Coat post and I was requested to do a shoe wish-list/inspiration post! I'm such a shoe girl and thought this post would be so fun to write as it gives me an opportunity, and a reason, to spend (a long) time looking at shoes. Instead of doing my shoe wish-list with any shoes I like, i've decided to do a high-street alternative shoe wish-list. For those, like me, who don't want to spend the £££ money on shoes, I found some cheaper alternatives for the must have shoes for the season. Most of these shoes are from H&M, they have a great collection in at the moment! There is also a lovely Boohoo pair thrown in.

1,2,3,4,5,6

1) These Dr Marten inspired boots are so cute. My favourite is the beige, they also come with a wool lining! I've also featured the black velvet, which i'm a huge fan of. These are shockingly only £24.99, whereas the originals are minimum £60 more expensive (usually around £110). I love both of these, but they also come in black leather, burgundy and khaki camouflage. 

2) I think these H&M boots are so cool. I love the contrast colours, they also come in full blacks. I think they'd be a great addition into anyone's wardrobe. They look expensive but they're a bargain at £29.99! I really recommend these and they'd definitely keep your tootsies warm with their wool lining.

3) I'm in love with these super cute ankle booties. The gold detailing is really in-trend and they have a zip on the inside to help put on. The padding at the back makes them look so comfortable and I could definitely see myself wearing these, think with black jeans, black top and gold necklaces (maybe even a gold chain to release your inner rocker).

4) Similar to no.1, these shoes are definitely an edgy statement. The harsh leather and zip would definitely grunge up an outfit. I think you could dress these up and down and would make an outfit look so put together. I love the zip detailing. They look well made and have nice laces - I hate when biker boots have cheaply made laces, but is it just me who thinks these £29.99 shoes look a bit uncomfortable? I think it's worth it though.

5) Some of you might of already hopped on the Vagabond lifestyle in the summer, but it took me a bit longer to get use to the chunky heel and platform but now I cannot get enough. The original Vagabond Dioon shoes are £65. These are over half the price, only £29.99.

6) The only pair that are not H&M on this post are these lovely Boohoo shoes. The cutout chain shoes have been everywhere recently, the most popular being £80 in Office that come in three different colours (Black with gold/silver/rose gold). These are only £40 and even though they are not as long as the Office ones I love these. I love the gold detailing on the heel and the buckles. I think they're super cute.

What shoes are your favourite in this post? Comment down below! I try and respond to each of your comments and each on makes my day a little lot better. Any shoes you've spotted out and about that you love? If you have any recommendations of what I should pick up when I'm in New York comment below!

Disclaimer (again): This post is not sponsored. Neither companies have asked me to write this post and I did it on my own. None of the pictures are mine but are all sourced back to their websites.

Coats I Covet

You might not know this about me but I am an admitted coat hoarder! Autumn/Winter fashion is my favourite and so what could possibly suit me better than shopping for the winter staple of a coat or jacket? Chloe and I were tweeting the other day about wanting to find the perfect pink coat and that conversation has inspired me to do a coat wish list or inspiration post. As most of you Raindrops will know pink is this season's colour! A colour that scares away the fair girls out there - especially me, but I think the coats are so cute so I want one anyways! At London Fashion Weekend there was a whole runway show dedicated to pink. It can be worn in so many ways, from a cheeky pink accessory (Maybe a pink satchel? Or a cheeky pink heel?), to a dress suit and my favourite: the coat. Tweed is another trend that's in inspired by the current Victoriana A/W13 trend. Monochrome (or black and white in general) are two of my favourite styles and featured those too! 

1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8

1) A Topshop pale pink boyfriend jacket and a lovely number for this season. It's not my favourite out of these 8 but I would still treasure it! I'm not sure if I would lash out and spend £89 (not including student discount) on it though as I think it might be too pale of a pink, leaning to more of a cream than pink, and I'm not crazy in love with the colour - I like it but i'd prefer more of one. 

2) River Island (sold on ASOS) has wowed me with this number! I originally saw it when I saw Ellis instagram (instagram @elrbx) it. I fell in love with it instantly and for only £65 I think it's a bargain and what can I say? I love fur collars! If the pink trend isn't for you, you can also pick up the coat in grey! 

3) I think this is my favourite of the pink coats. Another Topshop number this blush fluffy coat is perfect! For only £79 I think it's great. I love the collar and length of it and I think it is the perfect shade of pale pink. If pink isn't doing it for you again it also comes in blue, white ( I love), yellow and black! 

4) I love this coat! I have never owned a tweed coat and I think the contrast with the solid black makes it a lot more modern and in style than some others i've seen. As you have probably noticed I love my coat collars and the solid black one is so nice! I think it makes the coat more easy to style as you can wear more underneath it that comes up above the colour. The back of this coat is fully back and I love the shape it has. The coat has so much movement, it might not be as useful as a fur-lined parka for the English winters but fashion is pain right. The coat is pricey for what it is at £90 but it seems great quality and transitional! 

5) If you follow me on twitter you might already know how much I want a black fur coat. I originally nearly bought one by French Connection but realised it wasn't perfect, it had no collar and a low neckline and it was almost cropped, so I wasn't going to spend £80 on it. This however is the same price and I would definitely spend that amount on something this well made. You can tell by the photo how soft and comfy the coat would be. It has a nice length and collar and looks so warm. 

6) When I first saw a picture of this Topshop jacket I wasn't a huge fan, but then I saw it on the model and loved it. I like how voluminous the white fur collar is and the contrast it makes. Is it bad I want it because it looks a bit like my chihuahua? It seems so snuggly and great quality, and at £95 it should be. 

7) I don't know what not to say about this Minkpink (sold on ASOS) coat. It's amazing: fluffy, furry and monochrome and worth the £90.

8) I love this jacket so much. I think white in the winter looks so sleek and clean. The fur looks so soft and I think the jacket is just so fashionable. I love the slightly angled zip and the pockets on the front. Not only is this the last jacket i'm featuring, it's also the most expensive at £120 but I think I would splash out on this. It's not the most efficient coat for the price but definitely one of the cutest! 

Definitely check out Chloe's blog, it's linked in the intro of this post and follow her on twitter! Check out Ellis' too, her instagram and blog are both linked! They're both great and I definitely take inspiration  from their posts. Which coat trend is your favourite this season? Which one of my picks do you like the most? I think my favourite is number 3, 4, 5, 7 and 8. 

Disclaimer: This post is not sponsored. All photos were sourced from a website and I did not take any of these photographs. These jackets were all found on Topshop and ASOS.  

Red Dress Festivities at New Look

With the upcoming festivities quickly approaching I bet we've all been scouring for the perfect dresses to get us sparkling throughout the holidays.

After searching the sites I have discovered New Look having a wide range of red dresses, varying from oranges to oxbloods in every range of style. I thought i'd share some of my most loved dresses!

Red Sequin 3/4 Sleeve Bodycon Dress - £39.99

You cannot get much more festive than this bright sequin number. The flattering neckline and 3/4 sleeves will definitely be spicy addition yo your wardrobe, the price is rather good for the quality and if the colour is not for you it also comes in a variety of others: blue, black, pink and gold.

Lattice Neck Skater Dress - £12.99

Definitely on the cheaper side of the spectrum but this casual burgundy dress, available in black, can easily be dressed up. The detailed neckline would look amazing accessorised with a coat, maybe a fur coat and some black stilettos. Or maybe your style is more grunge, team with edgy cut out boots and some statement bracelets.

AX Paris Burgundy Wet Look Sleeve Midi Dress - £25 

One of my favourite parts about autumn and winter fashion is the different textures you can mix from playing together velvet and furs or leather and floral you can do anything. The mix of the deep solid colour and the leather sleeves is an autumn staple! The midi length will keep you a lot warmer than shorter dress and you'd be able to accessorise with so many options. I'd wear it with a gold chain and a gold spike bracelets.

Burgundy Crochet Waist Lace Skater Dress - £24.99

Maybe being a dress for the warmer months I still love it. It'd be cute for winter worn with a leather jacket, thick tights and biker boots. 

Which one is your favourite? Check out more on the red dress page on New Look's website, they have a whole page dedicated to red dresses!