An outfit post is somewhat of a rarity on This Is Miss Laura. This is partly due to my severe lack of camera skills (and lack of a tripod) but more honestly, because I'm completely camera shy! Well, yesterday I met up with a good friend who I haven't seen in a while and he's taken up photography so alas, I (begrudgingly) allowed him to take some pics.
And here are the results.
Isn't the YSL ring just a beaut??
It would be great to know what you think of the pics and look :)
Last weekend I attended the Eyeko event and I have to say that I've been enjoying testing out the various products that we were very kindly given. For me personally, I think that the star of the goody bag show has to be the new Limited Edition Eyeko Cream Extra Glow.
I'll get the superficial stuff out the way - first and foremost the packaging is just gorgeous; very girly, pretty and kitsch. Perhaps not to everyone's taste, but I like it.
Now to the product itself. Well, it claims to be a 3 in 1 cream - a highlighter, a moisturiser and an eye cream. I have to admit I wouldn't use it solely as a moisturiser or an eye cream though the jojoba and vitamin E contained within the product does mean that it is gentle on the skin and it does have a 'moisturising' quality texture-wise. The main reason I would only use it for highlighting effect is that it is super duper glowy and to slather it on in the way I would my moisturiser would mean that I'd look like something from another galaxy. However, I regard that as a positive point as in terms of its effect as a highlighter, this is probably the best product I've used, and trust me, a little goes a long way.
The formula is incredibly iridescent and leaves a beautiful, radiant sheen to the skin. The way in which I've been using the cream is either mixed in with my foundation to create a more natural dewy look, or on top of make-up to highlight the cheekbones, the brow bones and cupids bow. If you don't need/want to use a foundation, when used on its own, it's also a nice way of providing the skin with a bit of natural looking 'pzazz' - though I recommend you go light on the application.
The Eyeko cream is priced at £8 which I think is fantastic for such a useable product that definitely provides you with that 'lit from within' look that we all so desire.
P.S If you use my Ambassador code E11297 at the checkout, you will receive a free Eyeko gift.
I recently decided that my skincare regime required a bit of an overhaul. My skin hasn’t been bad - I just feel it needs a bit of tlc, and as I’m now in my ‘late twenties’ (sad face), I should probably invest a bit more time taking care of my skin as opposed to my usual slap dash approach which currently consists of a very bland routine of Simple cleanser and moisturiser. I actually really do rate Simple skincare; it’s great for sensitive skin, is cheap as chips and keeps your skin looking nice. I just feel that a little more effort is now required.
So who do you turn to when you’re faced with a gazillion skincare brands tempting you with promises of amazingly glowy, hydrated and youthful looking skin? Whose whopping price tag does your bank balance suffer for? Well, in my case I have opted for the brand who everyone raves about (no, this isn’t an original blog post by any means), isn’t too damaging to the credit card and promises great results. Yes, Liz Earle strikes again.
Yesterday I caved and purchased the Liz Earle Mini 'Try Me' Kit for dry/sensitive skin which includes the legendary Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser (30 ml), the Instant Boost Skin Tonic (50ml), the Skin Repair Moisturiser (15ml), the Gentle Face Exfoliator (15ml) and 1 muslin cloth. After two uses my first impression is definitely positive – my skin feels slightly plumper, very refreshed and smooth. However, before I can give an honest review, I’ll give the set a try for a month or so and see how I go but so far so good! The kit cost a very reasonable £21 from John Lewis.
Whilst I was there, I thought it would be a travesty not to try out the Liz Earle shampoo and conditioner too (I went for the dry and damaged conditioner option) and I’m definitely expecting great things from these.
Another random bandwagon I’ve jumped on is drinking coconut water.
After hearing missglamorazzi rave about it on a recent video and reading about it on t’interweb, the benefits seem to be incredible (hugely improves your skin, is super hydrating, gives you energy, great for digestion etc...). If that isn’t enough to entice you, check out the blurb on the website-:
“Vita Coco’s all natural-super-hydrating, fat-free, cholesterol-free, nutrient-packed, potassium-stacked, mega-electrolyte coconut super water!”
Wow!
I picked up three cartons of the plain Vita Cocos to try out from Holland & Barrett at £1.69 each though of course, I’m aware I’ll need a few more to probably notice any tangible results, but I just wanted to make sure it wasn’t too grim tasting! It’s actually fine – not amazing but definitely drinkable and with promises of those benefits, hell, who cares!
Last night I was one of the lucky bloggers invited to the Eyeko 10th birthday bash which was held in a super snazzy function room at the Wenlock & Essex in Angel. First and foremost, I have to say that this was probably one of the most enjoyable events I have ever been to – we were looked after so well and each member of the Eyeko team took the time to talk to everyone which I think is a lovely touch and makes you feel involved; like the brand genuinely respects and values your opinion on the products.
We were treated to an array of gorgeous canapés, Lola’s Cupcakes, some fab tunes and a selection of cocktails which I have to admit, went down very well! We also got to take a look at some of the new Eyeko products and there was a manicurist on site to snazz up our nails (I took advantage and opted for the Chi Chi Polish), and even a tarot card reader - though I chickened out on this!
I was also very lucky to meet some lovely bloggers and YouTubers including Lucy from .lucy duckett. (who I stealthily stalked before the event in Starbucks), Guilia, Gemma from Gem's Maquillage, Nicola from Nicola VC86 and Eyeko's Ling whose goes under the name of moonbeamstarlight on YouTube. Everyone was so friendly and it’s great to meet everyone ‘in person’ after spending so much time reading their blogs and/or watching their YouTube channels online.
The goodie bag was also full of some great products to try out. I’m so excited to give the new Military Polish and Punk Polish a whirl as well as the Graffiti eyeliners pens. I’ve heard fab reviews on the mascara (the packaging is so pretty!) and the new lip glosses also come in a selection of gorgeous and wearble shades and are named after places in London such as Soho, Portobello and Shoreditch. Lots of testing will be carried out this week methinks so look out for some reviews......
I’m a big fan of nail polishes with a shiny finish – particularly if the tone of the polish is creamy, pink, lilac or mauve as I feel if gives a lovely groomed and well..'polished' finish! However, some nail polishes do somewhat lack the shine factor but I have now found a product that when applied onto any nail polish, gives a nice shiny finish and also prevents chipping.
The product in question is Sally Hansen Mega Shine and is available in Boots in the UK for around £6.45. The nail polish that I am wearing is Maybelline’s Express Finish Pearl in shade Violet Doux and with the Sally Hansen Mega Shine used as a topcoat. I love the effect and the pop of shine isn’t too OTT but enhances the colour of the Maybelline polish.
I’m also on the hunt for the perfect metallic gold and silver nail polish. Any suggestions of some good ones to try?
I have to say, I’ve been hugely impressed with Next over recent months. Sounds harsh but I always seem to remember it as a bit 'drab' and as my dad can never forget, the sales racks filled with stock that was kept out the back and wheeled out especially for sales time. I digress but that always makes me smile :)
So anyway, times have changed and the past few occasions I have perused the Next rails, I’ve struggled to come out empty handed – the Mulberry Alexa-a-like was a purchase I made a few weeks ago and last week I ventured in only to leave with a bag full of cosy winter goodies.
So let’s have a look at my recent Next indulgences. We all know that leather is big news this autumn winter and whilst I love the thought of slinking about in an oh-so-chic mini, I just don’t think I could pull that look off, so I opted for a more demure brown faux leather button down pencil skirt which I picked up for a very reasonable £30.
Everything seems to be adorned in fur and fluff this season and hell, I am embracing that as I love a bit of cosyness and it helps when you find these types of pieces that don’t make you look like either a 5 year old or a granny! I spied a gorgeous cropped jumper which is a cool toned blue/mauve and is so soft that it feels luxuriously indulgent against your skin and not at all rough or itchy.
This blue fur lined cardigan was also a must-have and I love the 'ice princess' colour tone of this piece.
I am very tempted to head back as there is so much choice and some amazing key items for autumn/winter.
You can take a look at the latest Next collections online here.
This is definitely a must see/do for all beauty lovers and I for one am very excited!
In conjunction with Fashion Week, Marie Claire has teamed up with beauty brand Maybelline whereby make-up addicts can indulge at a unique pop-up store which will be open for 10 days during London Fashion Week from 16th – 26th September.
The space will be dedicated to backstage beauty, a chance to feast your eyes on the exclusive Maybelline shades and products, and demos on how to achieve this season’s must-have catwalk looks direct from New York Fashion Week. Marie Claire will also be presenting a number of events across the 10 day period from model scouting sessions to a day with a Marie Claire stylist.
Friday 17th September is the date for your diary ladies as marks New York Day! Get yourselves involved as you will be immersed in a luxurious day of complimentary treatments and refreshments including yummy cakes and cocktails and an in-store DJ – all of course, replicating the cool, stylish and laid-back essence of New York.
As if that wasn’t enough to entice you, you can also be in with the chance of winning some amazing NY-inspired fashion goodies from brands such as Ralph Lauren, DKNY, Banana Republic, BCBG Maxazria, Gap, Ray Ban and Guess with a number of Maybelline Get the Look kits also up for grabs. You'll have the chance to win a fabulous overnight stay for two at the loft style Shoreditch hotel The Boundary and enjoy an evening of fun New York inspired cocktails and if your other half has failed to keep you whisk you away this year, there is also a chance to unleash your inner Carrie Bradshaw and win a weekend for two at the Plaza Athénée in New York.
To be in with a chance of winning these goodies throughout the week, make sure you’re following Marie Claire on Twitter at http://twitter.com/marieclaireuk and look out for the clues which will guide you to the New York inspired hampers which will be located all around the Covent Garden area in London. If you find a ‘Marie Claire fashionista’ or a ‘Maybelline Make-up Maven’ you stand a chance of bagging yourself a Marie Claire and Maybelline dollar which you will be able to use to redeem one of the New York inspired prizes.
Now, this is uber important bit - followers MUST come along with a copy of the new October issue of Marie Claire with Blake Lively on the cover (see picture below) in order to win.
Even if you don’t win any of the prizes, fear not as if you head down to the pop-up store throughout the week, you can still enjoy pampering nail treatments and manicures from the in-store manicurist and complimentary threading, plus to get your fashion fix, the opportunity to buy a Limited Edition copy of Marie Claire.
The pop-up store is located at 18 Shorts Gardens Seven Dials, Covent Garden. Open from the 16th-26th September.
Apologies for the serious lack of blog posts of late. Work has been pretty manic and well, you know the drill!
In other news, it was my birthday on Saturday and I was incredibly excited to receive an amazing gift in the form of a new camera. It's is the Panasonic Lumix DMC-F2 so I'm really looking forward to finally getting some half decent shots on the blog!
I thought I would do a post about some of my favourite cosmetic products that I'm enjoying using at the moment. As we're moving into autumn, I'm shifting away from the golden bronzed look (well, I'm never really bronzed but I try and fake it at least) and am going for more autumnal inspired plum and berry toned colours. The first thing that has worked its way into my daily makeup routine is the NARS Multiple Tint in shade Cadaques. Despite it's shocking pink appearance, when swept over the cheeks, it gives a gorgeous fresh-faced and youthful glow and is also lovely when applied to the lips, creating a subtle stain effect. This gives you a translucent pop of colour that you can easily build up to create a more dramatic effect and is perfect to compliment my pale skin.
There was nothing more exciting as a little girl than when our Avon lady delivered all kinds of goodies to the door and my mum would have always ordered a few cute things for me such as bath products and nail polishes. Now we have this little thing called the internet, sadly I don't get the lady personally delivering my purchases to my door, but I still love the products. My current favourite lipstick in my collection (and I have a fair few!) is from the Ultra Colour Rich 24K range in shade Golden Rose which is a beautiful plummy pink, is incredibly moisturising and with a hint of sparkle. This lipstick is wonderfully versatile as you can build it up for a super dramatic finish or go a bit more neutral with just a slick of colour. This is one of the highest quality lipsticks I have ever used and at just £8 a pop (I think they are now on sale for £4) these are a brilliant investment.
Barry M has wooed me again and this time it is with the limited edition 030 nail polish which doesn't seem to have a name but can be described as a dark lilac with a strong hint of pink. In typical Barry M style, the product applies evenly and 2 coats leaves you with a perfect colour finish that will stay chip-free for a good few days. The 030 is priced at a regular £2.95 separately or is free when you spend £6 or more on any other Barry M products. I also love the gold lid as it makes the product look far more expensive! Maybe Barry M should incorporate this into all their nail polishes?
Finally, my new favourite scent of the season has to be Ghost the Fragrance. Yes, it's an oldie but it's definitely a goodie. I love the sweet floral and jasmine scent that isn't too overpowering and I think I'm particularly drawn to this because it reminds me of my childhood holidays when my mum probably wore it. I recently acquired this product again as a birthday gift and I am hooked. At around £23 for 30ml, it's also easier to justify a re-purchase!
So they are my favourite products of the season - so far. I do like to try and keep a good combination of budget products alongside some more luxurious and higher end ones to keep a reasonable balance!
In typical UK style, the weather seems to have turned somewhat dreary which only leaves me craving autumn even more. I love summer, but autumn is definitely my favourite season, especially when it comes to fashion - have you seen the InStyle A/W 2010 looks?? Thick tights, over the knee socks, faux fur, capes, red lips and loads of layers - I can't wait!
I'm also loving the 60's vibe that looks set to be big this autumn/winter. This Ponti Shift Dress from Topshop is perfect and with thick black tights and sky high shoe boots, would look incredible. The mustard colour is also a gorgeous shade to be rocking for autumn.
Alas though, autumn is not yet here and this cream Double Ruffle Tunic Dress (again from Topshop) is definitely more summer appropriate but also has a hint of 60's inspiration and I think could successfully transition through to autumn paired with dark tights?
What's your favourite fashion season and your must-have for autumn?
Shoes that tone your bum and thighs......I’m in! I am aware of course, that there are a number of footwear products on the market which claim to do this, and although I’m a sucker for anything that promises a quick fix at minimum effort, you do have to take a somewhat objective approach.
However, I’m always game to at least give things a go and was recently sent a pair of FitFlops to try out. If you haven’t come across these shoes before, the theory behind how FitFlops work is as follows-:
“FitFlop footwear is biomechanically engineered to help tone and tighten your leg muscles while you walk in them”.
According to the spiel, wearing a pair of FitFlops can increase the leg and calf muscle activity, improve muscle tone, improve posture and basically feel like you are walking bare foot but with more muscle load – which is why when walking in these, they feel super comfy, but your legs, buttocks and thighs are working harder.
After a few times of wearing the FitFlops, I have to admit that my legs definitely feel more ‘worked out’ and the shoes are indeed comfortable and don't tear my feet to shreds. I’m not the sort of person to take actual measurements to see if my legs have firmed up, but one thing I found very appealing was that they do force you to stand straighter and encourage you to 'walk properly'.
The other bonus is that FitFlops are available in a nice array of designs and trend inspired colours. I opted for a pair of the gold Walkstar 3’s and have received many compliments about the aesthetic appearance. They are not as flimsy or light weight as normal flip flops but because of the extra bulk, they also give you a nice lift and are super comfy with your feet feeling cushioned and well supported against the microfiber lining.
At around £44.99 for a pair, I wouldn’t say FitFlops are necessarily cheap, and don’t be fooled in thinking that they are a substitute for your normal workout - though they will certainly help to maximise it outside of the gym. The best advantage I have found is that I walk properly in them and definitely feel like my legs are working harder than normal. They are also durable and I'm positive will last longer than a pair of cheapo flip flops, so I think you’ll get your money’s worth.
You can check out the whole range of FitFlops here which also includes some styles for winter.
Have any of you tried FitFlops? Let me know what you think!
Hell, if there’s one thing I love, it’s a bargain. Therefore I often enjoy a good snoop around TK Maxx because let's face it, if there is any shop with a bargain to be had, it's TK Maxx! Last night I was invited with some fellow bloggers to take a peek at the brand new TK Maxx store which has opened today on 120 Charing Cross Road which I imagine will get super busy due to it being the only one in central London - just take a look at this picture to see the queue first thing this morning!
Champagne bubbles were in full flow and we also enjoyed DJs and dancers all kitted out in the latest TK Maxx threads and giving it large on podiums in the main windows for all of Charing Cross Road to see and enjoy. One of the new brands that TK Maxx are launching in conjunction with the store opening is ModBox which is highly trend focused; representing fast paced fashion, and aims to bring out key looks on a month by month basis with themes including Varsity geek chic, upper East side glamour, Military looks and grungy Neo Rocker. Embellished tees, mini kilts and logos were very much a current focal point and although some of these weren’t quite to my taste and would more appeal to the teen market, many of the future ModBox pieces due for launch later in the year are right up my street, including faux fur leopard coats and bomber jackets and Nordic style jumper dresses.
The Gold label is also one that had many of us swooning and includes sought after designer labels such as Stella McCartney, Valentino and even Pucci (with a dress reduced down to £200 from £2000!). The shoe department had some fantastic bargains but I already have my eye on a pair of faux fur ankle boots due for launch soon and are like, totally essential for autumn.
I am also characteristically late on picking up on the satchel trend so looking forward to snapping up one these beauts.
I'm having a bit of an obsession for watches lately - don't you agree that a fabulous watch can really add the perfect finishing touch to your look? The brand of watches that have recently hit my radar are Marc by Marc Jacob watches as I love the creative fusion of sophisticated but fun style that the collection has to offer.
All of these designs below can be purchased at Asos.
I adore the diamante embellished bezel on this style and think it would look amazing stacked with a couple of smaller watches. At £200, it is rather pricey but definitely a worthy investment if you are looking for a super elegant designer watch that you can wear to compliment a range of looks.
This black polycarbonate watch is perfect for a casual but statement look and I love the vibrant hot pink accents! This style is £175.
How cute is this daisy pendant watch! Plus, the added bonus is that for £150 you essentially get 2 Marc by Marc Jacobs accessories in 1 - the ideal and economical way to combine fashion and function!
In my never ending quest to find the perfect hair products that will make my repeatedly highlighted hair look and feel at its optimum potential (a difficult task, believe me), I was recently sent the Sheer Blonde Go Blonder shampoo and conditioner by John Frieda.
Any of you fake blondies out there will know how awful it is when you highlights or colour begins to turn a nasty shade of yellow, brass or bronze and these products are supposed to help combat that and claim to ‘gently lighten natural, colour-treated and highlighted blonde hair’ with the shampoo working to lighten the colour and the conditioner replenishing moisture and providing nourishment. They also claim to make your blonde hair ‘sparkle like sunshine’. So, without further ado, off I went to shower in hot pursuit of sparkling locks!
After using these two products together, I have to say I was very pleased with the results and one thing I noticed aside from colour was the volume it gave my hair. The colour did ‘lift’ and this is especially noticeable after a few uses. My hair is soft and manageable and the smell of the products is also rather pleasant without that harsh chemical scent that blonde enhancing shampoos sometimes have, leaving you wary about what’s actually in them. The Go Blonder products contain citrus extract and chamomile which definitely feels like a little injection of ‘health’ for your hair!
I would certainly recommend the Go Blonder range to anyone with highlighted or bleached hair as these are perfect for when your colour needs a bit of a boost and also make your hair look and feel healthy – which is what we all want, right??
The John Frieda Go Blonder shampoo and conditioner is available to buy in most supermarkets, Boots, Superdrug etc. and is priced around £5.49.
For more info, go to www.goblonder.co.uk where you can also win the chance to become a Go Blonder model for the day.
Whilst recently browsing my local Space NK, I have come across a star product that is definitely worth a good rave about. Probably something I would have normally overlooked, I actually stumbled across this product when overhearing the MUA speaking to someone about the powers it possessed and like the sucker for make-up that I am, I had to give it ago. Plus I needed a primer. Well, that's what I told myself.
The product in question is the Shu Uemura UV Underbase Mousse which acts as a primer/make-up base and very importantly includes SPF 30 which for fair skinned ladies such as myself (well, for all skin types actually), is definitely a strong selling point. It is actually an improved and re-formulated version of a previous Shu Uemura mousse base though as I didn’t try that, I can’t compare the two but I thought it would be worth mentioning....
The mousse has a light and sheer tint so that in the summer especially, it can easily be worn on its own and nicely evens out the skin tone, adding a subtle sheen and brightening up the skin. The colour is very neutral and also leaves the skin incredibly soft and not at all oily when applied. As a mousse (and boasting a very lightweight) formula, it absorbs easily and my powder or foundation clings to it all day without budging. You can easily control how much product you dispense from the nozzle and am happy to report that it doesn’t dry out my skin at all. I only tend to require a small amount for maximum effect meaning that this product will last and so makes the somewhat expensive price tag of £28 a little more justified. My makeup remains fresh looking without the need of re-application and most importantly, stays put!
I have to admit, I’m not a huge fan of investing in make-up that you can’t necessarily see if that makes sense but having found this, I now understand the concept and benefits of a really great primer and this one is a delight to use!
The Shu Uemura UV Underbase Mousse is available in Space NK stores (in the UK) and can also be purchased online from Beauty Expert.
