Review: Benefit Fake Up Hydrating Concealer

|| Benefit –Fake Up Hydrating  Concealer – £18.50 ||

Right, I have to be completely honest here I have never been that much of a fan of any of the Benefit concealers. None of them have every wowed me the way that NARS ‘Radiant Creamy Concealer’ and Bobbi Brown ‘Creamy Corrector Kit’ have. However, when I began to read such great reviews from other bloggers about the Benefit ‘Fake Up Hydrating Concealer’ I had to see if it really did live up to all the hype.

One thing that makes the Benefit ‘Fake Up Hydrating concealer’ unlike any others that I have seen is that it is a two in one concealer. On the shell it has a hydrating moisturising balm, which includes skin smoothing and anti-ageing ingredients such as Vitamin E. While right in the centre there is the concealing pigment used to hide any flaws.

So how did this two in one concealer measure up?

Coverage:
Coverage wise the ‘Fake Up Concealer’ is more for covering up minimal flaws rather than any larger blemishes. Although it did conceal the dark circles around the eyes, I wouldn’t say it was able to provide the full coverage look that I normally go for. So if you want a more ‘heavy duty’ cover then I wouldn’t recommend this one for you. However, if you want  light weight cover, then ‘Fake Up’ is ideal!

Stay Power:
One of the most important aspects for me in a concealer has to be its stay on power. Even if a concealer can make you look utterly flawless it is useless if it has melted off by the time you have walked out of the door! Personally, I found over a few weeks of using the product that I would have to reapply it several times during the day. The lack of staying power is probably due to the hydrating balm in the shell of the product, but it can be easily fixed by using translucent powder around the eye area after usage. However, if you do use a translucent powder it takes away from the dewy, hydrating effect that the product gives you under the eyes…thus proving it a tad pointless.

Shades:
Similar to the rest of Benefits concealers there isn’t a huge selection in regards to shades. The ‘Fake Up’ concealer range only contains three shades; light, medium and deep. I decided on the ‘medium’ shade as it was the closest to my skin colouring, however I would have preferred to have a larger selection of shades!

Overall, although I do really like the concept of having a two in one product, (well who wouldn’t? ) I found that it proved to be more work in the end and not measuring up to what I thought it would be! Maybe I was asking for too much at only £18.50?

Did the Benefit ‘Fake Up Hydrating concealer’ live up to your expectations?

OOTD || Be My Valentine…

|| River Island –  White Sleeveless Cami Top – £20.00 //  Topshop – Ultimate Faux Leather Biker Jacket – £45.00 // Topshop – MOTO Black Coated Joni Jeans – £40.00 //  Miss Selfridge – Tres Chic Clutch -£16.00 // Kurt Geiger – Black EMERALD Heels – £99.00 ||

Happy Valentine’s Day you beautiful people! Whether you are spending the evening with that special someone or with the people you love most you should always do it with effortless style.

For my Valentine look I wanted to keep it quite simple. Personally I don’t think that you have to necessarily go OTT on Valentine’s Day even if you are going out on a hot date! That is why decided to go for the monochrome combination with a spark of red on my lips to give the outfit a hint of that loving Valentine’s Day feeling.

These black coated joni jeans from Topshop not only are they extremely flattering on the majority of shapes, but they can also be dressed up really easily with some heels. For this outfit I decided to pair them up with a classic white sleeveless cami from River Island. It has a slightly open back feature that adds a sensual essence to the outfit. Accessory wise I wore these beautiful heels from Kurt Geiger, which I treated myself to in the January sales and a clutch bag from Miss Selfridge.

What are your thoughts on my simple Valentine’s Day look?

Valentine Day Outfit Inspiration – Date Night

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, so I thought I would put together a style guide for any of you who may be having a cheeky ‘Date Night’ on this love-filled holiday. If you are spending a romantic evening with someone you love this Valentine’s Day it is essential to have the perfect outfit for the occasion!

Here is some outfit inspiration if you are celebrating this romantic holiday:

Jump For My Love

|| Rare London – Black Strap Back Plunge Jumpsuit – £49.00 //New Look – Black Caged Strappy High Vamp Heels – £34.99 // River Island – White Celfie Box Clutch Bag – £30.00 // Accessorize – Cut Out Heart Ring – £10.00 // MAC Cosmetics – Russian Red Lipstick – £15.50  ||

Perfect Pink

 

 

|| Oh My Love London – Cross The Line Pink Open Back Midi Dress – £35.00 // Missguided – Barely There Strappy Heeled Sandals White Croc – £25.00 // ASOS – Dogeared Gold Plated Make A Wish Elephant Bracelet – £45.00 //Debenhams – Faith White Ridged Clutch Bag – £29.00 // Bourjois – Rouge Edition Lipstick ‘Beige Shooting’ Shade – £7.99 ||

What will you be wearing for your ‘Date Night’ this Valentine’s Day?

Valentine Day Outfit Inspiration – Girls Night

Traditionally Valentine’s Day was saved only for those loved up couples. Well, since THAT ‘Park and Recreation’ episode (you all know the one I mean) this “couples only” ideal has become so passé! Instead why not celebrate Galentine’s Day ? Yes, you read it right, Galentine’s Day, a day normally celebrated on the 13th of February where you grab your favourite girlies and just enjoy yourselves!

So if you are celebrating Galentine’s Day this year here is a little outfit inspiration!

Party Time:

|| Pretty Little Thing – Bailey Red Lace Mini Dress – £28.00 // Kurt Geiger – HALO Heels – £79.00 // ASOS – Floral Laser Clutch Bag – £10.00 // Essie – Topless and Barefoot – £7.99 ||

Cocktail O’Clock:

|| In The Style by Lauren Pope –  ‘Valentine’ Slogan Jumper – £18.99 // River Island – Black Platform Barely There -£50.00 // Missguided – Sergia Rose Gold Metallic Mini Skirt – £4.00 // Mango – Croc – Effect Bag – £12.45  ||

What will you be wearing this Galentine’s Day?

OOTD || Furry Nice

|| Miss Selfridge – Faux Fur Coat – £99.00  // Bank Fashion – Pink Soda Jumpsuit – £15.00 //  Zara  – Embossed Leather Court Shoes – £69.99 // Charity Shop – Grey Glitter Clutch – £12.00 ||

Now it’s getting colder, well it has been snowing this week around the majority of England, winter coats are very much a necessity for any woman. And what better way to stay cosy and stylish this freezing winter season than with a fluffy faux fur coat!

This little beauty faux fur coat I found in one of my favourite high street stores at the moment, Miss Selfridge. Everything about this coat oozes style; from its long line shape to its big lapels. I always find with faux fur the texture of the fur after a while can become coarse, however this is not the case with this little beauty it has perfect soft touch fur.  This coat can be worn to simply top off a glamorous evening outfit or to add a flare of chic to a casual ensemble.

For my look I decided to go for a ‘glamorous’ look. I decided wear this gorgeous gem of a navy blue ‘Pink Soda’ jumpsuit’, I discovered it in the sales at Bank fashion for only £15.00. And what an absolute bargain it was! To complete the look I wore a pair of embossed leather court heels from Zara and a grey glitter clutch bag that I found in a charity shop. Et violà…you are ready for a glittering evening out!

Will you be snuggled in faux fur this winter?

Valentine’s Day Gift Guide – For Him

Now lets move on to the man in your life…well finding the ideal gift for a man is always difficult. Given that there is such an abundance of Valentine’s Day gifts for women, finding something for ‘him’ can prove tricky with hours of surfing the world wide web. Although the majority of men appreciate anything / everything they get given, you just want to be able to surprise him with something special!

Not to fear though as I have spent hours scouring the web for you and found some great little gems that you can shower the man you love with this Valentine’s Day.

|| ASOS – Paul Smith Pebble Emboss Washbag – £199.00 //John Lewis – Taylor of Old Bond Street Shaving Kit – £32.00 // Boots – Paco Rabanne 1 Million Eau de Toilette – £50.50  // Not On The High Street – Framed Personalized Changeable Message Print – £27.50 //  Foot Asylum – Puma Suede Classic Trainers – £54.99  // Hugo Boss – ‘T-ARTHUR’ Cuff links –  £115.00 // Ted Baker – Heart Print Socks and Boxers Set – £28.00 ||

What will you be buying that special man in your life this Valentine’s Day?

Valentine’s Day Gift Guide – For Her

February…the time of the year that you are meant to show that special someone how much you adore them; whether it is your partner, that guy / girl that you have been looking at all year in the office or even a bit of self-loving. Although personally I believe that romance should not be saved to one day a year, well, why should a calendar tell us when we should make big gestures of romance?! But come on… lets face it who does not love a little bit of romance on Valentine’s Day!

Valentine’s Day for both women and men can be a bit of a minefield, so if you are simply in need of a little direction or looking to give your loved one a nudge  here is a few gift ideas for her which may help!

 || ASOS – ASOS Ladybird Applique Triangle Bra and Thong – £16.00 and £8.00 // ASOS  – A Pug’s Guide to Dating Valentines Book – £9.99 // Lulu Guinness – Lip Bolt Zip Pouch – £65.00 // Topshop – PERFECTION Premium Sandals – £98.00 //  Kate Spade – GRAMERCY Drive Cass – £285.00 // Olivia Burton – Big Dial Mink and Rose – £75.00 // The Perfume Shop – HUGO BOSS Ma Vie – £44.99 ||

What are you buying your loved one this year?

Wish List – January 2015

As the first month of 2015 comes to a close I thought I would select a few of my favourite key pieces that I have been lusting over this January!

Missguided:

|| Missguided – Khloe Premium Waterfall Coat Grey – £70.00 ||

|| Missguided – Sapphire Roll Neck Cable Jumper Dress – £25.00 ||

Pretty Little Thing:

|| Pretty Little Thing – Gisele Cobalt Plunge Dress – £15.00 ||

|| Pretty Little Thing – Jemima Powder Blue Blazer Dress – £25.00 ||

ASOS:

|| ASOS – Whistles Faux Stringray Skin Rivington Bag in White – £80.00||

|| ASOS – ASOS Ridley Skinny Ankle Grazer Jeans – £35.00 ||

Zara:

|| Zara – Cut- Out Leather Ankle Sandals – £69.99 ||

|| Zara – Smile is the Best Sweatshirt – £19.99 ||

What items have you been lusting over this January?

OOTD || Give Me My Camel Back

|| Missguided – Khloe Premium Waterfall Coat Camel – £70.00 // Topshop –  Strappy V-Neck Cami – £16.00 // Topshop – Moto Black Joni Jeans – £36.00 // H and M – Snake Print Scarf – £5.99 // Miss Selfridge – Tres Chic Clutch -£16.00 // New Look – Black Suedette Ankle Strap Open Toe Heels – £24.99 ||

The only elegant way to stay warm this winter? Grabbing yourself a statement camel coat of course!

This stunning premium waterfall style camel coat I found  at one of my favourite online stores; Missguided. It has been one of their most lusted over coats, well each time that I have attempted to get my hands on it I have always found it has sold out. When I first saw this perfect long beauty I could not believe it was not a statement piece from a catwalk designer. Yes, it really is as high quality as it looks! It has gorgeous oversized lapels which add an extra luxurious vibe to the coat. Ok, it is a tad expensive for Missguided; priced at £70.00, however, I can say hand on heart that it is worth every single penny.

For my look, I wanted to keep it quite simple so I decided to team it with these black skinny jeans and v-neck cami from Topshop. Accessory wise I wore this snake print H and M scarf, a ‘Tres Chic’ clutch bag from Miss Selfridge and a pair of ankle strap open toe heels from New Look. A straightforward yet chic look for any evening out!

What are your thoughts on this gorgeous camel coloured beauty?

OOTD || Leather Weather

|| Topshop – Ultimate Faux Leather Biker Jacket – £45.00 // Primark – Black Skinny Jeans – £11.00 // River Island – White Swing Tank – £22.00 // New Look – Black Double Ankle Strap Open Back Boots – £12.00 ||

As the days are becoming cooler it has become obvious that there is a definite need to invest in a warm jacket to keep away the winters chill. And what better way to keep stylishly warm this winter  than to get your hands on one of this season’s best leather biker jackets!

I think, if I am being completely honest here, I tried on this gorgeous leathery number on 15 different occasions! However, when I saw that it had entered the sales, it was reduced to only £45.00, I knew then that it was fate and that I had to have it. Ok, yes,  it is faux leather, which  I have never been keen on, but Topshop have really out done themselves as this jacket is really good thick quality. I adore the detachable faux fur collar; it gives this biker jacket a certain amount of edginess which others often lack. As with any other jacket I would advise buying the size up from what you normally are, especially if you are thinking of wearing any type of knitwear underneath.

I wanted my look to reflect how this biker jacket can add glamour and edginess to even the most casual outfit. Therefore I teamed it with these black skinny jeans from Primark, which I ripped myself at home and a white tank top from River Island. Accessory wise I decided to wear these black open back ankle boots from New Look, which I brought for only £12.00, what a bargain!

What are your thoughts on this leather biker jacket?