Outfit: On the move

Knitted top - Dorothy Perkins, Jeans - Primark, Handbag - Aldo, Necklace - H&M

Heels - Matalan

  My entry into the LG 6 Motion Give us a Spin Competition

I've really got into wearing jeans lately after hating them for far too many years. Been thinking about getting some pastel ones for the summer, really wanting a pink pair. Thought I'd enter Lily from Llymlrs' giveaway with LG. The brief was an outfit for on the move and the title was 'Give us a spin'. Seen a few entrys where bloggers have actually incorporated movement into their images, but I would just make a fool out of myself so decided to play it safe, as I would probably just fall over. I decided to do a photo from the front and photo from the back to show a better view and the outfit I am wearing can easily be changed form a day look to a night look with heels. So I tried to follow the brief with the thought of my outfit being for when I am on the move and travelling. Been loving my Aldo handbag again. Think it is all these pastels which are appearing on the high street which has made me stop wearing so many dark clothing and accessories.

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Interior: My dressing table

 I previously posted my cluttered dressing table, so I thought I'd show you what it looks like now it is tidy. I don't keep my makeup at my dressing table as I hate things looking cluttered. Although, I decided to store some of my mascaras in a pot, as I have so many on the go at the moment so need to use them up before opening/buying any others. Hopefully being at easy reach will help this. I also have my metallic basket on there. This stores all my everyday makeup, and makes it easy for me to switch things around. The draw stores skin care things. I do keep some in the bathroom but we don't have any storage in there at the moment so what doesn't fit goes here.
I really don't like how my perfumes look, but I have a perfume tray coming in the post. I will show you when it comes. Think I will then move my perfume elsewhere and only have a couple on my dressing table.
Now I'm going to get cuddled up in bed as I have the worse headache ever. Really need to sleep it off but I hate wasteing time where I can be doing things as work will come round quicker than ever.

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My skin routine

 

Thought I would write a post about the current skin care routine I am doing. I haven't really posted a lot about skin care before. I don't have the most interesting routine, but it works for me at the moment. I've just had a really bad week of bad skin, as I had a break out from the Healthy Mix Serum (gutted, as I loved it). After realising it was the foundation on Friday, my skin was completely clear by Sunday. So the products must being doing something right for my skin.

I used to use the original daily scrub from Neurogena which comes in the orange bottle but after seeing this realised I quickly changed as the smell and look of it is so much appealing. This is widely available in drug stores, which is probably another reason why it appeals to me. I hate liking a product and then it not be easily accessible. I often run out of a product, and not purchase one when I realise I am running low. As I have dry skin, this is perfect for using daily. It isn't too harsh but it exfoliates enough to remove any dead skin cells which I may have, resulting in making my skin appear much more smoother. I can't remember how many tubes of this I have been through, but a little goes a long way considering I use it everyday.

 

I first started using this moisturiser when i found so many good reviews on the Internet about it. I needed something which would transform my dry skin as well as not being too heavy to be applied under makeup. This is my third tube now and is definitely my favourite moisturiser. It sits perfectly under my foundation without making my makeup move around throughout the day, but it also keeps my skin looking dewy. It's easily brought from boots which makes me able to rely on something which actually works for my skin. I am looking for a night cream though, as I want something to apply which is thicker and takes longer to absorb into my skin.

I use to on my cheekbones to highlight along with my Oilatum moisturiser under my foundation. I find this makes my cheekbones reflect even with foundation over the top. I then emphasise with MAC Strobe cream once I have done my makeup base. It is really affordable and does what it says.

 This is a Superdrug cheap toner. I should probably invest in a decent toner as it is nothing special. I find it helps make my skin smooth and I apply this after exfoliating and cleansing and it makes my skin feel really clean. It is also fragrance free which keeps my mind at ease that it won't break me out.

This moisturiser is really thick but sinks into my skin perfectly. I use it at night. I find other thick moisturisers leave a greasyness on my skin in the morning, which I then have to wash off and they never feel like they have done anything. While, this in the morning it has completely sunk into my skin leaving it feeling really soft.

I spent ages looking for a facial brush which wasn't too soft. I haven't yet brought a clarasonic, although I know I should. This is my alternative for the time being. A lot of brands sell facial brushes where the bristles are really soft, but they don't do anything at exfoliating my skin. They just smooth it a little. This facial brush really helps my daily scrub to lather and leave my skin so so soft and smooth.

I have dozens of these muslin cloths. They come with the infamous Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish but were around much before the infamous product. They were stocked in baby stores, body shop and now I buy them in Boots. Really inexpensive and do the job perfectly. I use this with a cleanser to remove my makeup. Love that I am able to remove every last bit of makeup unlike when I use wipes.

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Giveaway: Truly Allure House lantern and Cut out tealight

Haven't done a giveaway before and thought why not, and I love entering them. I thought I'd do two prizes separately so you get double the chance at winning. The first is the cute house lantern and the second is the cut out heart tealight. They are both from my website Truly Allure. Thought they would be a little different.
I have also reached 300 followers which I think is really big for me. I have watched them go up one by one and it's lovely to have reached 300.

Rules:
Giveaway ends 5th March at 11:30pm (GMT)
Only open to UK readers (Will hold one for international viewers soon)
Winners will be chosen with random.org from comments
You must be a follower through GFC
 Leave a comment saying you would like to enter with either your email address or link so I can contact you

For extra entries
+1 Like the Truly Allure facebook page
+1 Tweet about the giveaway (tag me in the tweet so I can see it)
- Also let me know in the comments if you do any extra entries

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New in: Interior pieces

Plum lidded container & Buddha head - Dunelm Mill

Metallic weave baskets - Small £1.99 Large £2.99 Tkmaxx

I've been needing to look for a lot of storage lately, and while a trip to IKEA isn't quite near I've had to have a look around my local town. I've made a list of things I want and ideas where to find it. Usually I will lust after something for ages but then forget to look and most of the time it takes some searching. I'm planning to get a bookcase at the end of the month but I don't have many books. I wish I did. That in mind I'm looking for pretty things to go on it. I want to organise it with piles of books, ornaments and photo frames. Really want to mix it up a little. The plum lidded pot is something that I've been wanting for so long. I keep finding ones but they come in bright colours such as pink and purple. Although, I am looking to add some colour in my house (my boyfriends words) I didn't want it to be included in the Plum pot. I saw this one and knew it was perfect. Look's so much more expensive than what it was.

The weave baskets are something I have only been looking for since last week. I think I stumbled upon them on a interior website when looking for types of storage. I love the white weave baskets you can get but again (my boyfriends words) I have so many white things already. These fit perfectly in my living room, although I've decided to use the small one on my dressing table to store my every day makeup. I said in a previous post about my MUJI storage not being able to go on a shelf. So they are on top of the chest of drawers. Well now I can put my everyday makeup in this basket and then in the morning decide what I need to put in my makeup bag to carry in my handbag. This way I won't end up with a dressing table full of makeup. Although, many of you said that it was nice clutter. Storage is something I'm definitely lacking.

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Friday night: New comment system and layout changes

I'm literally cuddled up in bed with the dog. This week has been so long, even though I got Wednesday off. I thought it would help breaking the week up but made me more tired. Think I'll get some sleep soon after watching 90210. My living room painting has been finished so going to try and find some pretty wallpaper tomorrow. I'm going to start blogging some of my rooms in my house to do some interior posts. I keep thinking I should, so I might as well. Going to start with my living room and the process of everything. It wont be completely finished untill the end of the month when the furniture goes in it, but I can post all the little bits. Good idea?
I've added Disqus comment system to my blog as the blogger commenting is really un-reliable. But in the process all my comments have gone, but I have imported them back and it says it may take a while. So fingers crossed they re appear.
I've also added a menu which is fixed on the page, still going to make a few changes tomorrow but all the coding is hurting my tired head. Thank god it's the weekend eh?

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Review: Bourjois healthy mix serum

Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum in shade 51

Always on the look out to try a new foundation and after having the normal healthy mix and loving it, I had to try this. To be fair, my skin is going through a really bad phase at the moment. I've has so many dry patches and it seems to make anything that touches my face seem flakey. As the foundation is a light/medium coverage (depending how you apply), I think it has made my skin look so much better. It is a gel formulae and goes on the skin like a dream. It's so blendable making it so easy to apply. I have it in the lightest shade, and I've heard that other people struggle to get their correct shade as there isn't much on offer. Luckily, the shade is perfect. Think I may struggle when I fake tan though as the next shade up seems so much darker, even for fake tan.
At first I thought it was the reason my skin was drying out but then I remembered the week before it was so dry that was why I wanted a new foundation. So hopefully when my skin improves I will love it even more. Next on my list is Jemma Kidd light as air.
Think I'm going to source youtube/blogs tonight for products to revive my skin. I seem to have so many products but nothing seems to work. Usually I can get some moisture back in my skin in a couple of day but it has been over a week. Let me know if anyone knows of any products that might help, considering I feel like I've tried tons in the past already.

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Outfit: Dorothy perkins cream knit and H&M skirt

Knitted top - Dorothy Perkins, Jersey skirt - H&M, Tights - Primark, Quilted bag - Primark

I'm cringing at the faces I pull when taking outfit pictures. For some reason I make my chin look enormous. Anyways.. this is what I've worn today. Really love the versatility of the Dorothy Perkins knitted top. Love tucking the side of it into skirts. The skirt is from last summer but I never wore it. I thought it made me look like a blob, but after trying it on today I changed my mind.
Didn't fancy having on any jewellery today. Been going through a phase. Really wanting to go shopping to update my wardrobe and get some more jewellery to match. Another thing I need to do is get a hair cut! My hair is looking awful lately. I love the length but it's becoming so flat and lifeless. I wash it every other day and I find that on the day I wash it, it looks fine but the day after it looks awful. Really don't want to get into washing it everyday as it dries out so easily as it is. Debating whether to get a side fringe cut back in as well.
This is my first outfit post with my Canon 600D. It was so easy to take pics now that I can see myself and that I have a remote. Although, a few times I forgot the remote was in full view and I'm stood in the picture holding it. Fail. So easy to do now.
My boyfriend has just finished painting our living room. I started but thought I'd leave it to him as he thinks he is a pro. Although, he is like super quick. I'm excited looking online for wallpaper. Think I will go find some on Saturday as I want to wallpaper Sunday. Hate waiting in a mess. Even though, we won't be getting the furniture till pay day. Think I'll do some posts of decorating my living room. Reading comments I think some of you may like it.

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Interior: Cluttered dressing table

So this is what my dressing table currently looks like. Complete mess. I just seem to take makeup out my storage and spread it out over my table. My muji storage is on the chest of drawers a few meters away but I am too lazy to actually walk back to it and put stuff away. Originally the idea was to have another shelf next to the dressing table but it fell off. And that was before I put my makeup on it. So got to fill the holes up and re-think my idea.
Tomorrow I am re-decorating my living room. Change of colour scheme. My boyfriend isn't too pleased. I'm now searching the internet for some new wallpaper. Can't make my mind up, even though most of the wall around the fireplace is going to be covered with a TV.
I'll probably post some pictures of before and after decorating and maybe some of my bedroom if I get a chance.
Oh and Happy Valentines day everyone <3 We've spent the night in with chinese. Perfect.

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Trully Allure: Online Shop now Live

Truly Allure

Feels like it's been ages since I first decided to do this online shop. But finally it has gone live. Although, I don't have a lot of stock I thought I've got to start somewhere. I'm having a little problem with the quality of my graphic at the moment. Think the resolution is too high so going to have to spend the night on Photoshop getting it just right. I'm wanting to keep all the stock for myself, but so far I have been good.
I've made a facebook page here, would appreciate it if you liked it. May make a twitter one too. Let me know what you think of the shop. Obviously it is very open to improvements, I need to have a major sit down with codings to get it how I actually want it. It is still very basic.
A jewellery collection will be added to the website next week. So hopefully the products will build up.

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Review: Soap and Glory 'Thick & fast' Mascara

BOOTS: SOAP AND GLORY 'THICK & FAST' RRP £10.00

I briefly mentioned in a previous post about the Soap and Glory 'Thick and fast' mascara being free in March's edition of Elle. It wasn't the reason I actually brought Elle, but when I realised it came with it I would have brought it anyways. I've tried to stop myself buying so many magazines. I use to haul Heat magazines and every magazine similar for years. I didn't even read them. Was just habit. Now I like to keep to my Elle magazine, Glamour and Cosmo.
This mascara retails at £10.00 from Boots which is a reasonably priced mascara for the drug store. Nothing has made me want to buy a product from the makeup range of Soap and Glory so this has given me a chance to try and I was pleasantly suprised. It's definitely not my favourite mascara but it's not my worst. It does what it says basically. I compare it to Collection 2000's 'Big fake' mascara. I found the constituency very similar. The difference is the wand. I find a lot of mascaras from each other by the wand they have not the formulae. Usually big wands make my eye lashes look and feel all clumpy. But I find it grips at the roots of my eyelashes and as you apply it, it grips to the end of the lashes but pulls from the roots. This makes a very full effect which usually takes forever to achieve. The photo is of two coats. It's not the greatest at lengthening but it does a pretty good job of the voluming. Which is basically what it lets on that it does. I don't think that I have the shortest of eyelashes but the reason I am not in love with it, is that it doesn't lift them up, it just builds on top. So it may not be the best mascara for people with short lashes. Overall, I was really impressed with the formula and more so the brush. When applied evenly it creates a really pretty fluttered shape to the lashes without being overally harsh.
Definitely worth picking up with Elle magazine to try for yourself.

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News: Truly Allure Online Shop opening very soon

Just an update on my online shop. It's finally going live tomorrow. Here's a sneak peek at the homepage, very minimal. Although, I do really like it. I'm launching it with homeware and a few pieces of jewellery at first. I will then add more categories and collections as I go. Think I've spent most the day doing it. Now my plan for the evening is to paint my nails, have a shower, and eat pizza. Perfect. Oh and maybe watch some trashy TV and race my boyfriend on the PS3. Reckon I'll post an outfit tomorrow, with my new camera at the ready! Haven't even had time to fiddle about with it yet. Need to get the remote out the package!

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New in: John Freida, Bourjous, Revlon and Collection 2000

Just a few things that I picked up at the weekend. You know when you go into your local Superdrug/Boots and just pick up things for the point of it? I had one of them moments. Although, I can think of reasoning of each thing. Superdrug had their John Frieda on offer for 2 for £6 which is really good considering each product is around the £6. I often wait till brands have this offer on at Superdrug or Boots. A lot of times it is Aussie, Fat hair and Soap and Glory which I wait till their on offer. Always worth it. The Frizz ease range it something I use to buy years ago. Think I had one of the serums but don't think I ever used it correctly. After the weather in England at the moment I thought my hair needed some de-frizzing. I've already used both and was actually surprised. I use the serum in between hair washing and the Styling spray when my hairs damp. I find between hair washes my hair goes very dull and dry. Totally the opposite of people getting greasy hair. I have been really enjoying the products and can see a change in my hair already.
The Bourjous Healthy Mix Serum is something I have wanted to get for a while. I have read tons of reviews about it and after using the original foundation I thought it sounded perfect for me. I love the dewy finish on skin and applying this gives me just that. I wouldn't say it is full coverage, so If you are someone who likes a full base you may not like it. I like to just have a light/medium foundation and conceal any problem areas with some concealer.
The Revlon lipgloss is another thing I've seen a few reviews on. The packaging actually drew me to it more. It has very Chanelesque' quilted packaging. I find revlon products to have a high quality packaging, and it has to be my favourite packaging on a lipgloss so far. But the main thing is the lipgloss texture is perfect. It isn't too thin and runny but it's not sticky. Lipgloss originally put me off as I would hate my lips feeling so sticky. But the revlon lipgloss is perfect. I had it on at work today and I could still tell it was on my lips when I finish. Other liglosses I own don't tend to do that. Obviously, it needed topping up but still.
Lastly, I got the Collection 2000 Lasting perfection concealer. I think I must be on my 10th one now, and I also have it in two shades. One for concealing my eyes and the other for any problem areas. Definitely my favourite concealer.

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Mid week: Night in with Elle magazine

So I'm currently feeling exhausted and wondering why it is not Friday yet. But apart from that I'm spending the night ready from Elle's March issue. Really loving all the pastels. Making me want Spring more than anything, although snow is on the way again!!
Elle came with a free Soap and Glory mascara, which I will try out tomorrow if I remember. I'll let you know if it's any good. I haven't even tried anything from their makeup range yet. I think the packaging puts me off a little. May have to look next time I'm near a counter.
Looking forward to the weekend so I can properly snap some pictures up as I've got lots of things to blog about. Definately need to decorate my living room and get some more storage for my bedroom but that might have to wait as I have my website waiting to go live. My spare room actually consists of stock for my website so I need to get organising that. Hope everyone has had a lovely week so far.

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New camera: Canon EOS 600D

So after uming and ahhing, I finally got myself the Canon 600D! Kept looking at some on Ebay but I thought if I was going to get it, I better get it from a retail store where if something goes wrong I can go back and get it sorted. So after deciding that last night I made my boyfriend rush out and I got it! Literally decided in about 2 mins. I got the package with the extra battery and the remote. Think that will come in handy for my outfit posts, so the it will be able to focus. I know the photo isn't the greatest example of my DSLR, but you can see it. Looking forward to having a better play around with it at the weekend. Although, I'm really impressed with the quality with no lighting. The above picture was taken with a shakey hand, a small lamp on and no flash. So I can't wait to get taking some photos with daylight.

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