Review of COLAB Dry Shampoo

Ruth Crilly from 'A Model Recommends' launched her set of COLAB dry shampoo's each named after iconic cities with a scent that describes them without any words spoken I felt it was somewhat just me getting the 'London' one and it's my favourite scent. The fragrance of deep musk with a slight floral scent underlaying had me sold I wanted my hair to smell this good along with the sleek packaging that would make for a great handbag essential for on the go hair emergencies. This dry shampoo claims a sheer invisible formula which interested my as all other dry shampoos I have tried have left a white or grey residue in my hair and I have found myself just not finding one that works well enough for me to continue using.

I had left my hair for two days without washing and decided to try this out to see if it could pass the test and parted my hair at the roots and sprayed 20cm away from my hair then rubbed it in with my fingers.

After leaving my hair for about 5 hours I can safely say that my hair feels clean, lightweight there was no residue left and the product added volume to my hair along with a wonderful scent that matches my perfume I think I may have found my perfect dry shampoo!

My Essie Nail Polish Collection

I love collecting Essie nail polishes they're my favourite brand and while slightly overpriced at £7.99 a nail polish you can't beat them on quality, colour range and slick packaging I hope to one day own the full stand (wishful thinking for a student over here). I thought I would share with you the range that I have collected so far I love treating myself to a new Essie polish as they have the most delightful colours and charming names to match.

 You know when you go in Boots for one thing then the offers catch you and into the beauty vortex you go this past week there was an offer that if you bought 2 Essie polishes you got this winter collection for free well I mean I was already buying one so another one wouldn't hurt. 

This set includes 'Tuck It In My Tux' which is a creamy white great for French manicure tips or a sheer wash over your nails for a classy 9-5 look wear with a chiffon shirt for added Parisienne. 

No photo will ever truly get across the gleaming gold of 'Jiggle Hi Jiggle Lo' which is your ultimate party trick wear on your ring finger for an indent of Friday night dancing throughout the week.

The incredibly seductive deep red of 'Jump In My Jumpsuit' combines classic glamour with late night tease this is the only accessory you'll need for date night or a weekly manicure for the brave.

My first Essie nail polish and all time classic is 'Sand Tropez' the everyday beige nude which works for all seasons if you're going to buy one Essie polish invest in this one it will carry you through day to night I like to put one sheer coat on for natural glossy nails.

'Urban Jungle' is a purple based nude with cool undertones that suit all skin tones a great polish for those 'in-between' seasons which leave us all in a tizzy. 

'Cocktail Bling' is a classic evening purple-grey that is a completely unique colour definitely going to get you noticed but don't give this secret away we couldn't have all your friends wearing 'your colour' of the season even the name gets you in the mood for Saturday night mojitos!

You've got your beach body ready, picked out the perfect bikini now what to paint your nails? Choose 'Bikini So Teeny' not just for the suitable name but the mermaid-esque purple-blue with slight silver shimmer will get you in beach mode faster than you can say 'sun'.

The perfect January colour the dark green with blue undertones of 'Mind Your Mittens' will show that you're ready for winter, wrap up with a scarf and you're good to go brave the cold.

'Merino Cool' provides you with a warm wash of purple with brown undertones now wouldn't this colour look great holding your hot chocolate I bet you feel warmer already!

Christmas sparkly nails are a must and 'A Stroke of Brilliance' makes sure that you're the only shining star in the room, use on a indent finger to show some festive spirit.

'Mint Candy Apple' is the perky colour for Spring the perfect pastel mint green looks great on all skin tones all the bloggers love it and for good reason.

Create the perfect French manicure with 'Mademoiselle' a delicate sheer pink that glosses over your nails adding a sheen of sophistication.

A warm feminine rose pink with red undertones to add warmth to your nails in the colder months 'Eternal Optimist' looks great with one sheer coat or build up to get those English Rose nails.

A stunning rose gold glitter which paints like a mosaic 'A Cut Above' will take your breath away even if just on one indent finger this shines bright under light making sure everyone in the room takes notice.

A hot pink with silver shimmer 'Madison Ave-hue' calls for those girls with young hearts wanting a fun polish to complete their outgoing personality.

My favourite summer colour is 'Sunday Funday' this is a bright orange with gold shimmer guaranteed to make others green with envy over your coral mani who's up for sunset drinks at the beach?!

I'd love to know your favourite Essie colours I can't wait to keep building my collection, let me know in the comments!

My MAC Palette - Swatches and Reviews

First of all an apology to my hiatus from blogging but the deadlines from university came and required my complete attention for two months and for paying £9k a year I would like to try and get a career in the fashion industry but alas my return features a blog post I have been itching to do ever since I saw MAC eyeshadows.

I would like to introduce you to one of my most prized possessions my MAC eyeshadow palette...

...she's a beauty isn't she?! 

I'm a huge make up lover and I do like to invest (yes it is an investment) my money in make up as I take joy in deciding which face of the day I would like to put on and it is my little sanctuary for 20 minutes (or an hour in some cases). I decided that I wanted to start my MAC palette in October 2013 as I felt my style had matured and I wanted a swanky new palette full of my favourite shadows to go with that and I had been drooling over the MAC shadows for long enough and made notes from bloggers recommendations of which shadows I would like in my palette. 

Top Row (L-R) - Blanc Type, Omega, Charcoal Brown, Woodwinked, Mystery

Middle Row (L-R) - Nylon, Coquette, Sumptuous Olive, Green Smoke, Concrete

Bottom Row (L-R) - Vanilla, Naked Lunch, All That Glitters, Print, Carbon

I knew that in my palette I wanted to have a range of shadows that could be used for brows as I change my hair colour often my brows need to match that so I have quite a lot of matte browns as it would be easier for me to have all my different brow colours in one palette for travelling and needn't carry lots of products around. The three main looks I wanted to have in my palette was a brown smokey eye, dark green neutrals and a classic grey smoked eye with highlighters, base, crease and corner shadows for each look and the brow colours also worked into these looks.

Top Row Swatches

Blanc Type - My first shadow bought is my perfect base neutraliser, great pigmentation and really brightens the  eyes up.

Omega - This create the perfect natural crease used with Blanc Type as a base one of my favourites for everyday use

Charcoal Brown - This is a great brow colour for me and to use in the corner for a matte brown eye.

Woodwinked - Adds a lovely warmth to the eyes I use this in the corner and crease blending in circle motion and bringing it under the eyes to make them more defined.

Mystery - If I had to pick one shadow from the palette it would be this as its my brow colour and a perfect brown smokey eye or even as a brown liner.

Middle Row Swatches

Nylon - This is a beautiful yellow toned shimmer I love using this on the inner corners to make eyes pop, highly recommended.

Coquette - This works great with Omega for a defined crease to make hazel eyes stand out.

Sumptuous Olive - A great shimmer shade for hazel eyes.

Green Smoke - Use with Sumptuous Olive in the corner for a shimmery look that makes hazel and brown eyes stop traffic.

Concrete - Great blending choice for matte browns works with many different looks.

Bottom Row Swatches

Vanilla - Slightly shimmery a great brow bone highlighter and base colour works well with pink toned shadows.

Naked Lunch - A light, feminine pink great for softening the eyes and works well with All that Glitters.

All That Glitters - Stunning shimmery pink with champagne highlights, highly pigmented.

Print - The 'do it all' smokey eye buildable colour and easy to blend, use with Vanilla as a base to create a smokey eye that will last all day and night.

Concrete - Matte black use carefully to deepen a smokey eye or as a liner adds high definition to the eyes.

This concludes my MAC palette I'm really happy with all the shadows I have and the ability to create so many different looks in one customised palette I can't wait to start the next one although maybe after I graduate and can afford one! 

What are your favourite MAC shadows, let me know in the comments?!

Throwback - LFW

I thought I'd do a throwback post about my time during September's London Fashion Week as I realised I hadn't blogged about it and share my experience at Somerset House and working backstage at a show and how to get work experience during fashion week. 

I hope you enjoy my stories and pictures I can't wait for February when I can do it all over again do any of you go to London Fashion Week? Let me know in the comments what your fashion week experience has been.

Dress - Zara

Knitted Vest - Zara

Hat - Topshop

Bag - Urban Outfitters

Boots - Zara

Socks - Topshop

Sunglasses - River Island

Fay (Centre) Wore:

Knitted Dress - H&M

Bag - New Look

Doc Martins

Cobi (Right) Wore:

Top - Asos

Trousers - Asos

I found that September's fashion week was a calmer atmosphere than the buzz and excitement in February maybe it was the remains of a laid-back summer attitude although the crowd at Somerset House were still impeccably dressed. 

My friend and housemate Fay pictured before is a Music Journalism student and me and my fellow fashion friends convinced her to try out fashion week and see what she thought of 'our world' and she said 'It's like a celebration of personal style.. different to what I thought it would be'. I always enjoy fashion week, the atmosphere that it brings, the new collections to feast my eyes on and to be surrounded by people who all have the same love of fashion is always inspirational.

I worked backstage as a dresser for Ashish for their Spring/Summer 2015 show which was a really exciting experience to be involved in the madness behind the walls of the catwalk and cameras even getting to meet the designer himself and chatting to the staff. Pictured above is the two looks that I dressed for the show I was lucky to have a lovely model to work with and the atmosphere backstage was really upbeat with it being the last day of fashion week everyone was enjoying the last day.

How did I get the experience?

I simply went on the London Fashion Week website and looked at all the shows that were scheduled and clicked on several designers and emailed the contact details given or went on the designers website and found a contact email on there to email my CV and cover letter to. Ashish was the only company to respond positively as I didn't have any direct contact details so I could only use general query contacts but if I hadn't of tried that I wouldn't have gotten anywhere, with determination and several emails you can get anywhere!

When I first arrived we met the team and head designer then while the team set up the rails us dressers where free to watch the Fashion East show that was on which was so great as I love the designers at Fashion East they always have such innovative designs. Unfortunately due to unsteady scaffolding a builder fell from the ceiling backstage and an ambulance was called to help the man it was an awful sight to see but the show kept going on and the man was took to hospital. Quickly the Ashish rails replaced Fashion East's as soon as their show finished and I set the shoes and accessories with my looks as the models were in hair and make up (think tinsel clip-ins and glittery eyes) then the show was in motion and it was over far too quickly. I didn't even consider it work as I was having too much fun being involved in it all and I definitely hope to work next Fashion Week I would definitely recommend it to anyone interested in fashion as you get to see the clothes before the audience.

If you have any more questions about my LFW experience ask me in the comments I'm happy to answer!

Happy Halloween!

I thought I'd share with you some photos of my Halloween celebrations I love getting all dressed up, having a fun night with friends fully embracing spook night and making the night last as long as possible, before going to a Halloween event in Greenwich me and my friends had pre drinks in my room which was decorated and served with some witches brew before the night began.

What did you do for Halloween?

It's fair to say I scared some people that night...

The witches brew I made was vimto, strawberry daiquiri, vodka, fresh orange juice, star-shaped ice and popping candy.

I also put some frozen Woo Woo cocktail into a brain mould as Cloe is modelling here!