Gothic Glam

I recently posted a picture on my Instagram of me wearing dark wine coloured lips and I thought it would be great to do a blog post on how I achieved this look and how you can get it too. 

I love playing around with dark colours in the autumn/ winter months and I have been reaching for anything dark plum or burgundy of late. I am really trying to make the most of them before spring arrives when I will be going for bronzed skin and coral and peach lips. 

I often hear people say that they don't think something so bold or dark would suit them however I think that dark lips look great on both fair and dark skin and I don't think you need to be a brunette either! I would recommend this look to anyone who wants spice things up in the make-up department! 

I've put some pictures together of some of the looks that inspired me. 

I love that some of them have chosen just to focus on the lips but some have gone for matching smouldering eyes.

I think Sam shows that you don't need to be tanned to rock this look in fact I think she has purposefully made her skin lighter for a full on gothic-glam look. 

Rihanna shows that, paired with a glowing tan, dark lips can be worn all year round!

I've picked some of my favourite products for getting this look. 

For my look I chose Avon's lip liner in 'deep wine' paired with 'matte grape' lipstick again from Avon. Later on I added 'plum pretty' gloss to add a shine.

I think the lips alone are statement enough however I chose to go all the way and used Avon's 'deep wine' palette using the lighter shade as a base and the darker in my crease and took it all the way to the centre of my eye. To intensify further I used the number 4 from 'vibrant spice' palette which is from Avon's 'Glow' range. 

Other favourites of mine for achieving this look are 'Cyber', 'Darkside' and 'Rebel' from Mac. 

Rimmel offer a good range of dark shades. My friend Sasha looked great sporting 'Starry eyed- 128' the other evening for drinks! Shade '04' by Rimmel is also a fabulous rich purple shade. 

Alternatives at Avon are 'Bold Bordaux' and 'Deep Orchid'. 

For eyes I love this Topshop eyeshadow in 'Explorer' which is a deep bronzed wine colour.  

Below are some of my other favourite bold looks I have worn recently. 

I've been nominated for a Leibster Award!!

The gorgeous Zita from Twenty Four (www.zitajane.blogspot.co.uk) nominated me for a Liebster award! This is an award designed for bloggers to nominate fellow bloggers to help them connect and also gives thier readers a chance to get to know them better! I love Zitas blog and was so pleased she nominated me! if you havn't already checked out her blog I suggest you do! 

Here are the rules: 

- Mention/thank/tag the blogger who nominated you.

- Explain the rules for the next lucky nominees.- Answer the questions given to you.

- Nominate and link blogs with less than (200) followers.

- Post 11 questions of your own.

- Notify bloggers that they have been nominated.
- Also: you may want to display the award on your blog — by including it in your post and/or displaying it using a “widget” or a “gadget”.

Zita asked me: 

1. What is your favourite Fashion Brand? 

I love Balmain but unfortunately it's out of my price range so it would have to be Zara! They always manage to follow the designers and capture all the latest trends for affordable prices! 

2. What is your favourite Beauty Brand?

It has to be Chanel! 

3. Where is your favourite holiday destination?

I have so many places that I've been to that I love and so many more to discover! I think my favourite so far has to be Ibiza. There's always so much going on, beautiful scenery and such an eclectic mix of people! 

4. What do you like best about blogging?

I love sitting down, taking some time to myself and talking about what I love! It's like a diary for me.  

5. If you could have any job in the world, what would it be?

I always wanted to work with animals but don't cope well with death so apart from that it would be owning my own beauty brand! 

6. Who is your idol?

Katie Piper- she is just amazing! She's overcome so much and still is so positive. She makes you put things into perspective. Although I love beauty it really isn't that important! 

7. What's the last book you read?

It's been a while as I get halfway through a book and then get too busy to finish and don't want to have to start from the beginning again! The last whole book I read was the Katie Piper autobiography- Beautiful! 

8. What's your favourite flower?

I love birds of paradise/Crane flowers. My dad bought me my first ever bunch of flowers when I was younger- they were oranges and purples and really exotic- the birds of paradise instantly became my favourite. Unique, exotic and hard to come by. 

9. What's your 'go to' fragrance?

I love anything coconut based and my all time favourite is Bronze Goddess by Estée Lauder.. It's a holiday in a bottle! It cheers me up whenever I wear it! 

10. Who's your celebrity crush?

I have so many for so many reasons so this is tough! I love Leonardo Dicaprio he's an amazing actor, gorgeous and a lovely human being! I love men who love animals! 

11. Flats or heels?

Heels.. All day, everyday. Style over comfort unfortunately! 

My nominees are: 

My questions are open to anyone who wants to have a go! I will nominate as I discover new blogs! 

And I would like to know: 

1. What made you begin blogging? 

2. Who is your blog inspo? 

3. If you could invite 5 people to dinner dead or alive who would it be? 

4. What product could you not live without? 

5. Describe your style in one word?

6. What is your go to, everyday make up look? 

7. What do you do on pamper night? 

8. What is your most treasured possession? 

9. Are you a shoe or bag kind of girl? 

10. What is your favourite scented candle? 

11. If you could change one this about yourself what would it be? 

Dressing Room Tour

I was speaking to a friend this week and she was asking if I had any good tips or advice for make up/ beauty storage so I thought I'd put it in a post and give you a bit of a tour around my favourite room in my apartment. 

Like most women I have so many bits and peices that I've acquired over the years and I'm actually a hoarder and hate throwing things out so I find it hard to find solutions for storing. A great storage solution are these chest-type boxes. I picked mine up from Dunnes home. This chest keeps all my heated tools neat and out of the way. They have some really pretty vintage style boxes on sale online so check them out!

I've also used stackable hat boxes which again follow my french theme. Mine were from EBay and were so cheap! I use the small box for hair bobbles/ clips etc. The middle box is for costume jewellery and the biggest box is full of nail polishes! 

I recieved this box a few Christmases ago and I think it had a little mirror and some cheap lipglosses in it. I couldn't throw this box away I think it's so cute! In here I keep all my Velcro rollers as I was forever losing them! 

This Ted Baker bag was another Christmas present I think it was full of beauty products. When I used them I kept this for storing jewellery.

I keep them tucked behind my door with my gym bag and this cute carry-on case I picked up from work the other day. 

Next to these I have these cardboard boxes from Ikea stacked up. Link here: http://m.ikea.com/gb/en/catalog/products/art/50224272/

These store accessories such as scarves, hats and gloves. On top of these I have this old Kurt Geiger shoe box which I loved the print of. This keeps all my old or less used perfumes and fragrances. 

Next to this is this chest of drawers from Ikea's 'Malm' range. They were super inexpensive and just what I needed. 

Link here: 

http://m.ikea.com/gb/en/catalog/products/art/00214553/

On top of the drawers I have some acrylic drawers from Muji. These are great because they keep everything neat, organised and visible! I have two wide two-drawers stacked on top of each other but you can buy them in different sizes and stack as many as you like!

I think I have more lipsticks than any thing else I own so the best way for me to store them was in this clear serving bowl from Ikea. I like being able to see them all and keep them all together. 

Link here: http://m.ikea.com/gb/en/catalog/products/art/20132453/

My lip liners and stored in this little tea light holder, again it's from Ikea! 

http://m.ikea.com/gb/en/catalog/products/art/50248287/

My older/ back up brushes are stored in an old Chanel gift bag. I also have a few palettes stacked beside it.

In the top drawer I have separated my products into compartments using some draw dividers from Ikea. 

Link here: http://m.ikea.com/gb/en/catalog/functional/10366/10452/

The best part for me is my beautiful dressing table. This is the Hemnes from Ikea. Link here: http://m.ikea.com/gb/en/catalog/products/art/70302141/

This contains two small drawers and one larger drawer. One of the smaller drawers contains tons of false lashes and the other has cotton buds and my larger highlighters as I just don't have space anywhere else! 

The other 'larger' draw is slimmer and qwite impractical I separate into cleansing, face products and then everyday/ hair. 

On top of the dresser I make the most of the space by storing my perfumes on this glass tray. I think it looks beautiful! 

I also have a glass candle holder which I store my current jewellery favourites and my watch when I take it off at night. 

Link here http://m.ikea.com/gb/en/catalog/products/art/40214283/

I store my makeup brushes in this tumbler that I got from BHS. It's actually a toothbrush holder and the french translates to something like 'house of pearls' but I think it is great for keeping my my brushes at easy reach.

Have you got any storage ideas or advice? I'd love to know! 

Leigh x

Get Ready With Me

I went out last night to celebrate a friends birthday and thought it would be a nice idea to share how I like to get ready for a night out as for me and most girls I know it's one of the best parts of going out! I really like to take me time to get ready as it makes a change to in the week where I'm rushing to get ready to work.

Firstly I have a long shower and shave my legs etc. I love baths but I find that I get too relaxed and sleepy and want to stay in so a shower is great for waking me up and putting me in the party mood! 

When I get out I like to have a candle on and some music on in the background. Last night I used a new Yankee I received from a friend at Chistmas called 'Pink Sands' which is citrusy sweet and exotic. I put on Annie Mac from Friday on the iplayer and pour myself my first drink of the evening. 

I am looking pasty at the moment so I've been building up a gradual tan over the last few days using the Garnier Summer Body! I love that it's subtle as a dark tan would look unrealistic on me this time of the year. This has no nasty fake tan smell- it actually smells qwite nice and it doesn't stain your clothes! I covered myself in this and then put on my dressing gown. 

I use my normal Boots tea tree moisturiser which I have reveiwed in a previous post as I feel no matter how much dancing I do my face stays matte!  

I've been using Crest strips on and off for around a year only once a month but I noticed that they left my teeth sensitive so I just use them now as a treat for nights out. I apply the strips to the top and bottom and leave on for around half an hour. I really think they make a great difference and love how easy and cheap they are! 

I then paint my nails using a lovely Barry M varnish that I've been loving lately in the shade 'Almond' it's a greige colour that matches anything I wear so it means I don't have to change it too often! 

For make up I start on the base first. I use my trusty MAC studio sculpt foundation in NC40. I know MAC foundations have a bad rep but I've been using this foundation for about 5 years and always try new ones and end up going back to this! It's great for coverage and as it's gel based I find that a little goes a long way! I apply using a Real Techniques buffing brush to really buff all the product into the skin. For concealer I use MACs pro long wear concealer in NC20 (I always buy a lot lighter shade to provide a highlight). For contour I have been using and loving the LA Girl Pro concealer in Beautiful bronze I got this on eBay as recommended by thatpommiegirl who's contour is always on point! In order to blend I use a damp Real Technique Miracle Complextion sponge. Under the eyes down the nose and cupids bow I use YSL's touché éclat in number 1 which works by reflecting light to banish dark shadows and provide highlight. 

To powder I use my Maxfactor Creme Puff in Translucent. I've been using this for about 8 years and I love it! I apply to my T-zone and anywhere prone to oil. I go over my contour with my Bourjois bronzer! In my opinion this is the best bronzer and I have converted all of my friends! It suits all skin tones and just gives a gorgeous glow without being too shimmery! For blush I use MACs Peaches and for highlight MACs Soft and Gentle. 

Eyes are simple lashes and liner using Avon's black Glimmerstick in the waterline and the Benefit They're Real to create a cat flick. Mascara is Wonderfull by Maybelline. Lashes are Pixie Luxe by House of Lashes. I use the shade Virgin from my Naked palette by Urban Decay on the brow bone to highlight and the shade Naked to create a shadow and definition in the crease and blend using a fluffy brush I picked up in H n M to blend. Brows are a mixture of the Anastasia Dip Brow Promade in Ebony and MACs Dipdown gel which is lighter. I use the darker gel to get my shape and for the length of my brow. For the part of the brow nearest the nose I like it to be a shade lighter to give a gradual light to dark ombre effect so I use my Dipdown gel.

Lips are kept nude starting with an Avon pencil in the shade Simply Spice to line my lips and then Rimmel Kate in 03- the perfect matte nude! 

Hair is simple half up, half down. I start by applying my Matrix Oil Wonders to damp hair and then the Matrix Express Blow Out Créme which I use for heat protection and as a plus it reduces blow dry time! After blow drying I tong my hair with my Babyliss glamour waves wand for a loose curl an then simply split my hair into two sections, back comb the top section and tie up into a high pony and then spray with some Bed Head Masterpiece. 

For perfume I've been using YSL Black Opium which I am in love with! This is a sweet, vannila fragrance but also has a slightly spicy edge in my opion. I also have the handbag version so I ensured I took this with me. 

This was a picture from last week but I followed the same routine so this is the finished look.