Out of hibernation

Okay so my blog has been literally dormant for a very long time and I have no reason for it except that I am in my 3rd year at uni and have work coming out of my ears. I dream about essays these days! Will be very glad/sad when it is all over and I have to join the adult world working full time. Oh the joys. On that very note, I have no idea what I want to do, which is giving me a few panic attacks. I am lucky enough to have a part time job at a well known retailer however so I will not be completely 'job-less' when I finish, so I should still be able to afford my shoe/clothes/make up obsession. (hopefully) although my mother does keep reminding me that I should save for the future..bla bla.

I am going to try my hardest to keep the posts coming regularly, that is until I run out of money and have nothing to post!

YSL Touche Eclat Foundation Review

Okay so haven't blogged in forever, but seeing as I have just purchased YSL's new Touche Eclat foundation, think it needed a review.

I already own the YSL Touche Eclat highlighter pen and I have always found it impressive so when I heard they were releasing the Touche Eclat foundation I was super excited to say the least.

Anyway straight down to business - this is what they say about the foundation:  'Using new technology, the magic of the legendary highlighter will transform into a foundation, and it will achieve the same illuminating result for the ENTIRE face. It will target shadowy areas, define contours, erase imperfections and enhance the face's natural features' - sounds perfect right!

I would recommend you go to a department store and get a 7 day tester like I did so you can really see what it looks like on in different lights and at different times of the day. If like me, I find foundation a lot harder to put on in the am yet find it glides on easier in the pm. Most likely this occurs as in the morning the face tends to be more dehydrated so I have had to purchase a hydrating cream and now it glides on beautifully.

After using my tester for around 2 days, I purchased it. Didn't even give it the whole 7 days as I fell in love with it.

Now I love make-up/skin care and have tried many a foundation. After being a Estee Lauder double wear fanatic I am so surprised I loved this foundation as much as I did. Double Wear has always been my staple and I won't be completely eradicating it from my make up bag but for the moment Touche Eclat is replacing it. Why is Touche Eclat so good? It is light- very light. I\t feels like you are wearing absolutely nothing on your face. It is also light in application and therefore very buildable so is great for those who like the no make up look, or those that prefer a bit more coverage. For someone like me who at the moment has quite a few scars on my face from old spots I needed a foundation that had good coverage yet didn't make me look 'caked' in it. This foundation glided on and covered pretty much every mark on my face. Where I needed more coverage I  built it up and it did not cake at all which I have found sometimes happens with Double Wear. Touche Eclat gives a lovely dewy finish to the face and made my face feel so soft. Straight after application your face does get a little shiny, but give it 2 mins and it will settle in to a lovely finish.

Regarding staying power, they say it is 'long lasting' so I tested it out from morning until night, and also added a boxing class in to the mix to see how it stayed when I was a sweaty mess! Turns out staying power is very good. I was worried as I have oily/combination skin and find some foundations have already glided off my face before I have left the house. This foundation still looked immaculate after my boxing class. However I did need a few touch ups during the day as you do with every foundation but apart from that it stayed put even over my imperfections. The finish really is a flawless one. For people like me with oily skin I would recommend a primer or a finishing powder just to set it but I would do that with every foundation really. It seems there are many shades as well so I think there will be a shade for everyone. I went with B50 Beige as I found this colour gave me a really healthy glow.

To show you the coverage I have used a before/after shot with it on. For this example I have used my moles as my imperfection (lol) to show you what the finish is like. I also must add it is a dream to put on. 

BEFORE

                                  












                       AFTER                                       

As you can see the moles are pretty much covered and you can see a slight dewiness to it.

Overall I would definitely recommend this foundation. It is a lovely light foundation and for those who like me have to have an SPF in their foundation, it does not disappoint with an SPF of 19. It is amazing value at £28 - when you consider the Touche Eclat highlighter pen is £25 alone! I also love the pump, with other foundations I can end up using too much and wasting it, whereas with the pump on the Touche Eclat foundation it gives just the right amount. Only negative - which is me being ridiculously picky is that once again it is a glass bottle so not the best for travelling. However if you get the 7 day tester I would keep the little bottle so you can take that out with you.



Ahoy there sailor

Love these shoes. Nautical at it's best mixed with a girly touch. These may not be everyone's cup of tea but I think they are the perfect statement shoe. Once again River Island are paving the way to get your little feet noticed. They are a fierce shoe but the addition of the bow allows for a playful side. I would wear with denim shorts and a plain tee with some chunky jewellery. Equally they would work well with jeans and a little summer dress but I think the pins should be out for these beauties.

Let River Island do the walking...

I must say I am impressed with River Island's shoe collection this season. Bang on with the colour blocking and floral trend. These shoes shout, no sorry they scream 'me me me' so best to pair with something minimalistic. I quite like the look of a white canvas so these shoes can really take the attention they need.

High waist Skinny waist

Love this look for summer. D&G have given a huge nod to the crop top and high waist this season and it is so easy to recreate. This look is from ASOS Fashion Finder and once again is my favourite girl 'Allyouneedisstyle'. Love the pattern on her peg trousers and am pretty sure she is wearing a bikini top..why not! Zara have some pretty patterned peg trousers this season and so do River Island so definitely worth checking them out. Crop tops are everywhere on the high street. Topshop and ASOS have some basic ones that are cheap and will look great teamed with a pair of high waisted trousers.

These trousers are from River Island and the print is perfect for summer. Let the trousers do the talking and team with a plain crop top from Misselfridge. Add some killer heels from Topshop and a pair of sunnies and you're set. Belt is an extra detail if deemed necessary...which I totally do!

Ellie Saab's Ice Cream Parlour

I am in love with Ellie Saab's Spring 2012 Couture collection. These aren't just dresses they are works of art. Fine works of art at that. These beautiful dresses are oozing with glamour and the ice cream pastel colours are good enough to eat. The delicate beading embroidered on to such sheer fabric is breathtaking. This may be an easy prediction, but I think we will be seeing a few of these on the red carpet very soon.

DIY Fashion

So the mother and I are all booked for a 3 hour beginners class on how to use a sewing machine. I am not a complete beginner...I did do textiles at school..not even sure that counts but I did make a dip dye skirt! Anyway I am really excited. I have been waiting to do this since forever. Making and customising clothes has always been something I have wanted to do so hopefully with the aid of this course I will be all set! So in preparation I have been searching the web for some ideas and I am going to show you a few of my fav DIY's.

This blog is a-m-a-z-i-n-g. 'A Pair & a Spare' - a girl called Geneva gives you the low down on absolutely everything DIY. I spent a few hours last night going through it and have got sooo many ideas for after my course. Her DIY projects are simple and easy to do...well she makes it look like this anyway. This is her 'How to DIY' step by step - as you can see it is so simple.

A plain midi skirt transformed in to a lovely cut-out summer dress.

And would you believe me if I said this dress was made out of some rugs? Defo check this blog out guys!

Another good blog is that of Jennifer Le's. Strapped for cash and need a clutch that no one else has? Jennifer is your girl. This clutch is so simple to do! Add some studs and wola. Unique one of a kind clutch in around 10 mins! Here's the tutorial.

Once you start looking for DIY jobs you don't stop but it is so much fun, and if you can save some cash why not?