My week in pretty pictures

+ My names is Louise and I have an addiction to charm braceletes. I just can't help but buy another. +A snap of my oufit today + I was gifted some lovely NARS products this week from the gorgous Tash :) + A gorgeous new ruffle and sparkle top from Monsoon - they are starting to become my fave shop + Spent a lovely day with Suzi, Zara and Sabrina thanks to Elizanbeth Arden for a fab day + I learnt my skin really isn't in good condition right now - but my spots can tell you that + Another charm bracelet added to my ever growing collection, this purple one if from Primark for a bargain £2.00 + My style has been a little more biker chic this week thanks to my new leather jacket I'm in love + Another snap of the beautiful breakfast spread Elizabeth Arden

I am really enjoying sharing my week in pictures atm, are you guys enjoying them? Do let me know, I have done a vlog but I'm nervous to pop it up on youtube as I've been gone for a while.

FOTD & Some Phyto/FISH

I did ask if anyone was actually interested in seeing my FOTD from my morning makeup post, and a couple of you said yes so here it is. Taken in the glamourous location of the office bathroom!

All the products are shown in the previous post so if you want to know do check that out.

Since I was snapping away I thought I would also talk about my hair, it isn't often I will wear my hair down without my trusty Halo from Halo Hair Extensions but today I was too sleepy to faff about. Instead I opted for some volume and a workable hold.

I used these fab products:

FISH Revitalising Dry Shampoo and Phyto Workable Holding spray.

I will do a separate review on these gems as they really do deserve a post just for them!

My Morning Face Makeup

This past week I have been getting a little lazy with my makeup routine, but I seem to be getting more compliments so maybe less really is more? So what exactly have been using, well as you can see not much.

EcoTools

I was surprised by the quality of their brushes, soft, sturdy and minimal fall out. The Kabuki and concealer brushes are defimitely the star brushes for me, they have so many uses, the concealer brush may be my fave though as it is amazing for buffing conealer or applying cream eye shadow like I have done today.

Prestige Cosmetics Skin Loving Mineral Foundation & Blush - Natural

Right now I am trying to get my skin in better condition so have swapped my normal heavy coverage liquid foundation for this mineral one. I have to admit (Sorry EL Double Wear) but I do prefer how my skin looks and feels when I wear this. Flawless coverage, glowy and it does stay on during a whole working day - no touch required. Plus its a bargain price.

The mineral blush is gorgeous too the perfect peachy pink colour that will make your skin light up, again I was surprised just how good the pigmentation and qaulity was. I need to learn high end doesn't always mean better.

Estee Lauder Double Wear Cream Eye Shadow - Antique Gold

My HG eye shadow. Simple. Looks amazing everything, doesn't crease and doesn't fade. Honestly girls you need to look at these eye shadows, in my opinion they are the best cream shadows.

Urban Decay Skyscraper Mascara

Holy cow is this mascara good! My lashes have hands down never looked as good as they do when I use this mascara, it keeps my lashes long, curled and looking generally great all day. Another one to take note of if you like big false lash looking lashes.

Chanel Glossimer - 25

I repurchased this colour for about 3 years now and can safely say as long as they make it I will buy it. It isn't sticky or gloopy, gives a gorgeous pink colour to my lips and leaves them feeling rather moisturised. Not bad.

Shall I upload a FOTD? Let me know...

Last week I...

+ I'm quite enjoying the Max Factor lipstick challenge. I will be updating my journey tomorrow will photos from each day with each shade! + Made a sneaky buy from one of my fave places, Thomas Sabo + Bought some new necklace over the week whilst at London Fashion Week, I have gone from not wearing any necklaces to layering a few at a time + Press Passes for London Fashion Weekend + Spent Friday at Somerset House with Zara, Sabrina, Suzi and the Juicy Boys :) + Fell in love with clothes at the catwalk (pictures to follow) + Watched the amazing Joseph from Elizabeth Arden Work his magic ( He is one of the funniest people I have met in a while) + Received another Juicy Couture ring, I love these bad boys.

Dionne Bromfield was amazing at the Look Fashion Show, tiny person with a powerful voice, she sent shivers down everyone. Her god mother would have been so proud to see her doing so well!

Beep Beep! Lets drive..

Todays post is a little different, you may see a few driving posts popping up and I thought I would share my story. It is 2 years and 1 week since I passed my driving test, one of the scariest things I have ever done in my life. You all know the feeling, dreading that you may fail because you want to pass, you want the freedom to just get up and go. I wanted that so badly, so when I failed the first time round I was so upset, it made me feel on the edge taking more driving lessons then two weeks after failing I took that plunge again. I passed. It was a great feeling, I cried, I hugged the tester for a little longer than appropriate and couldn't stop saying thank you to him and my instructor. 

Images from weheartit.com

The thing I noticed the most was how you get on with your driving instructor as well as the tester, if you don't click it wont work! Simple. I went through 4 instructors before I found the perfect guy, through RED Driving School. The same went for my second tester, the first one was apparently the worst and notoriously hard to pass with but the second was so funny. He actually came from the same town in Scotland so we had a lot to chat about, it put me at ease.


RED Driving School asked us all to share a few key pieces of information on road safety, a vital part of driving I think you will agree.  RED are committed to working with other organisations that have the same standards and belief in  road safety. One of those is charity called Brake, who look to educate young people (17-24) who are statistically more likely to be involved in road traffic accidents, a sad but very true fact. One that hit home personally 2 weeks ago when I lost someone I went to school with because of a careless driver. 

Images from weheartit.com

Accidents happen and I think main point I am trying to stress here is to be comfortable when your learning, be happy with the person (people) teaching you, the last thing you want is to rush or be stressed. Take it all the valuable information that places like RED Driving School and Brake can give you. 

Be safe when learning, be safe when you have passed - none of us are invincible. It just takes on silly mistake and I hope that never happens to any of you wonderful people. I'll leave you with this from Brake's ‘Pledge2DriveSafely’ supported fully by RED and by me.. 

 It has six golden rules :

Slow – within speed limits

Sober – free from alcohol and drugs

Sharp – not tired, ill or with poor sight

Silent – phone off and out of reach

Secure – belted up in a safe vehicle

Sustainable – only when you have to

Tell me your driving stories, are you learning or did you pass?  

This post is sponsored by Handpicked Media on behalf of RED Driving School 

Decleor - Aroma Night

This shouldve been up while I was on holiday however clearly that didn't work. So next up in my little skin care series comes from the wonderful brand Decleor, the Aroma Night Ylang Ylang Purifying Night Balm. I was a little apprehensive about using a balm on my typically combination skin, the last thing I need is more oil. However I found that after my first few uses of this product that I actually began to use more as theway my skin feels after is simply divine. 

The 100% natural and preservative free balm, has been a pleasure to use, the lovely melting texture, the soft feel and the benefits all suited for my combination/oily skin. I like the the fact it aids in cleansing the skin from any impurities, helping your skin to repair and re-balance itself. 

If you suffer from breakouts, I think you will find this a useful products as it will help to reduce any imperfections and inflammations. Any time I've suffered from terrible breakouts I've gone straight to this at night, knowing my skin will be healthier and radiant in the morning. What more does a girl need?!

With the active ingredients that are similar to how our own skin behaves, Melaleuca, Ylang Ylang, Basil Essential Oils and Tonka Bean Resinöid, Plant Oils and Waxes of Hazelnut, Jojoba and Corn are all jammed in this little pot to provide a nourishing and luxurious feeling balm.

Despite my initial expectations the balm doesn't leave my skin feeling greasy after I apply it. Instead my skin feels silky smooth and more than moisturised, it does feel divine. 

One of the best points has to be the soothing and relaxing scent, it really does help to

 unwind just that little bit more before you go to bed, it definitely relaxes the senses offering added sensorial benefits.

RRP £31.50 for a 15ml Jar - HERE

Liz Earle Botanical Aftersun Gel - LOVE

Liz Earle's Botanical Aftersun Gel has been a big source of comfort and refreshment for me during the very few days of hot weather we have had. I have rather weird skin when it comes to tanning naturally, if my skin is well hydrated I got browner than brown BUT if my skin is dry then I burn. Strange no?

Since I have been suffering with terrible dry skin on my body recently it was clear I was going to burn at some point over summer. This was the first thing I was reaching for when I could feel/see the heat in my skin, lathering it all on.

The light, lavender smelling gel dehydrates my skin in a flash. With some lovely sounding ingredients like organic aloe vera, organic cucumber and premium high-altitude lavender all help to keep your skin calm, whilst soothing the skin from any nasty sun burn. All coming together to nourish the skin and give you cool refreshing relief. 

I. Love. It.

Basically: Feels nice, smells amazing and does the job of counteracting the damaging effects the sun can do in your skin (thanks to the vitamin E)

OOTD - Look Magazine Fashion Show

Hello everyone, remember my face?! Yeah I know it has been a while but I've been so busy this past two weeks and blogging has slipped again. So I thought I would make it up to you all by showing you my OOTD for the Look Magazine Fashion Row.

I had no clue what to wear, this outfit was pulled together at 8am this morning so a tad rushed not much thought in it but something I know I feel comfortable in and looks smart but trendy.

Right now I'm having a bit of a phase injecting splashes of colour into my clothes, today I've gone for the blue blodycon skirt. My other fave is my bright pink skinny jeans, or my orange chiffon dress. Summer may be over but I'm determined to keep some summer colours in my wardrobe. 

Sorry the lighting is a little dark, it was rather early when I papped these.

Oversized black shirt: New Look

Blue Bodycon skirt: New Look

Tiny Cross Necklace: Ebay

Bracelets: Thomas Sabo, Swarovski and Tiffany & Co

I kept my hair and makeup rather simple, opting for my go to beachy/bed hair look, most of which is thanks to halo hair extensions they really are the bees knees when it comes to hair extensions. Up to tutorial coming soon btw - stay tuned!

Makeup wise I used, New CID i-prime, YSL Touch Eclat, Max Factor Creme Puff, NARS Laguna, Benefit Coralista, Clinique High Lengths mascara and MAC Snob lipstick.

More on the actual Look Fashion Show tomorrow! It was amazing.. Thanks to Jennifer for coming with me it made all the stress worth it :)

Origins GinZing Eye Cream ♥

For at least two years I stuck true to my Clinique eye cream, but recently I have been searching to see if I could find something I liked more. Enter Origins GinZing, an eye cream aimed at brightening and depuffing your peepers to keep you looking bright eyed and breezy.

Whether you have had a late night, or spent the day traveling, or work has just knocked it out of you, chances are you still need to look your best. I have been loving this eye cream for giving my eyes some instant light. 

I apply this in the morning as you would, and then I mix a little with my Laura Mercier Secret Cover concealer to make it easier to blend and also to add some luminosity to an otherwise rather blah concealer.  Any help at brightening my eye area is fully welcomed. 

Origins have worked hard to produce an eye cream that helps to really reduce the look of dark circles under your eyes, and helping to get rid of bags/puffiness. Thanks to the caffeine, panax ginseng, magnolia extract and natural optic brighteners the formula helps to restore the balance to any tired feeling (and looking in my case) eyes.   

I tried to take a picture of brightening aspect, which I guess you can see, it is more of a pearly finish but brightens none the less. 

This is definitely my eye cream of the moment, and  will certainly repurchase this little gem. Eye creams are a big part of my skin care routine, next up will be an age defense cream to warn of any pesky wrinkles. 

RR £21.00 You can buy this from any Origins counter or HERE

PLUS right now Origins are offering customers the chance to

choose 3 samples from their top 10 product line up

with the purchase of any skincare item. You

can choose from a selection of essential skincare

needs from cleansing to exfoliating, as well as best

loved moisturisers serums and eye creams.

Go check out your local Origins

counter to choose your 3 free favourite products

from the selection above. That gives you

three good reasons to experience Origin! This offer

starts on the 9th September and will finish on the

30th September 2011.