Oscar De La Renta - The Legacy

When I heard of Oscar De La Renta's passing I was filled with a great sense of sadness as I have admired his designs from afar for many years.

Why was Oscar De La Renta so special? Oscar had to ability to make more than just fashion. He made dresses that filled women with confidence when worn, dresses that make you feel as though you can take on the world. His styles were classic and timeless and appealed to both young and old alike. This is the beauty and power of a Oscar De La Renta gown. Take a look back at some of his amazing designs on my Pinterest board.

His classic and elegant styles will without doubt provide a lasting legacy and continue to make women feel special and glamorous for years to come. As the man himself once said "Walk like you have three men walking behind you." Thanks for the frocks Oscar.

Sweater Weather // 10 Reasons to love Autumn

Image from Pinterest

Autumn is by far my favourite season. I write this post wrapped in a fluffy blanket, wearing super cosy socks and drinking a gingerbread latte - bliss. Some may call me crazy but I love the colder weather and the darker nights. If you are not yet on my wave-length I have compiled a list on why we should all be embracing this season. Get ready to fall in love with Autumn (see what I did there?).

• Layering - Scarves, chunky knits, tights, gloves, thick wooly socks. Cold weather is the perfect excuse to wear more clothes, wrap up and be cosy, what's not to like? If only it was socially acceptable to wear my duvet outside...

• Hot drinks - Mulled wine, gingerbread lattes, hot chocolates. They are warming, comforting and delicious. Why do all the best drinks appear in autumn?

• Boots - They are comfortable, practical, they go with everything and come in such a variety of shapes and sizes; knee high, ankle, wedge, stiletto, chelsea, furry, biker and of course not forgetting the classic welly!

• Candles - The warm glow of a candle on a cold dark autumn evening is so comforting and relaxing. There are some great scented options out there for autumn! I love Red Apple Wreath from Yankee Candle.

• Plum toned make-up - Plum lip colours and eyeshadows, pretty daunting throughout the rest of the year but as soon as it's late September out come the darker vampy shades. See the review of one of my favourite darker lip shades here.

• Hot water bottles - I feel that hot water bottles are underrated, they're an easy warming comfort this time of year. When you're cold, or simply just feeling a bit down and need of some comfort, a hot water bottle should be the first port of call! 

• Comfort food - There is nothing better than coming inside from the cold and wet and enjoying warm stodgy food that fills you up and makes you feel as though your being hugged from the inside. Stews, soups, cakes, pies and pastas are a few of my favourites.

• Scenery - Somehow even the rain looks beautiful in autumn. The changing colours of the leaves, bonfire night, fireworks, the christmas decorations and fairy-lights, for me autumn feels like a magical few months.

• Faux fur - Along with the layering of clothing, the contrast in textured fabrics pleases me no end. I adore faux fur and relish the excuse to wear my ridiculous furry hat, scarf, boots and gloves all at the same time. Yes, I may resemble a yeti, but the sheer warmth and comfort of faux fur makes looking like a furry beast acceptable. 

• Cinnamon - My favourite spice. You can put it in drinks, puddings, porridge, use it for decorations or to scent your home. For me this is the taste and scent of autumn.

Still not in the autumnal mood? Check out my Autumn Pinterest board here for ideas and inspiration! What are your favourite things about autumn? 

Nivea Pure & Natural Moisturising Day Cream // Review

I am always on the lookout for the perfect daily moisturiser. This is my latest contender, Nivea's Pure & Natural Moisturising Day Cream for Normal to Combination skin. I picked this up on a whim when I was abroad and had forgotten to bring a moisturiser with me. I gravitated towards this one as I had tried the Nivea Pure & Natural cleansing face wipes before (see my review here) and was drawn to the simplicity of this line. 

This day cream claims to give 24 hour intensive moisture, naturally soft and smooth skin and to enrich the skin's natural healthy glow. The product is 95% of natural origin and doesn't contain parabens, silicones, colourants or mineral oils (hoorah!). It does however contain organically grown Argan Oil and Aloe Vera which are sources of vitamin E and hydration, and claims to suitable for sensitive skin. 

Having combination/oily skin I look for a moisturiser that is light and non-greasy which makes the perfect base for make-up. Often I find moisturisers interfere with my make-up as they are overly sticky, but this one sunk into the skin fairly quickly without leaving an uncomfortable residue. My skin was left feeling clean and smooth and ready to apply make-up within five minutes of application. 

Although effective as a moisturiser, I found the scent of this product overwhelming and unnecessarily strong. It has a very fresh scent which in itself is quite pleasant, but for me the concentration of fragrance is far too powerful. When using the product I found that my skin tingled after application, which may be a reaction to the fragrance (I also found the cleansing wipes from this line irritating on my eyes). 

Overall I think that this is a good everyday moisturiser which would be suitable for most people, however if you are sensitive to fragrance I would avoid this product. It is nice to see a large cosmetic brand like Nivea introducing a natural range of products, and I hope that they explore fragrance free versions and look to expand the range.

Nivea Pure & Natural Moisturising Day Cream retails for £5.32 for 50ml and is available from the Boots website.

Do you have a favourite daily moisturiser? Let me know your recommendations in the comments!

Absence makes the heart grow fonder

I haven't blogged for many months. During this time I have graduated from university, dabbled with writing, work, travelling, and general pondering about the future. Being released into the big wide world after graduation is a daunting and scary time, especially when you are unsure of what you want to do next. Absence certainly makes the heart grow fonder and although I haven't blogged in a long time, I have missed it and have lots of plans in the pipe-line, so watch this space! 

Looking behind the labels // Cruelty free beauty

Image Source

I have mentioned before that I favour organic and natural based beauty products in my Looking behind the labels: Parabens post, but what about cruelty free products? 

I have always been an animal lover since I collected the Animal Ark book series as a child. Although my vet aspirations did not last long (weak stomach!), my love for animals has always stayed with me. Due to this I would never knowingly purchase a product that has been tested on animals, but like many beauty lovers I feel that the industry makes it difficult to find out the origins of the products we buy. Many consumers buy products based on their advertising or on a whim whilst out shopping - therefore skipping the research into the ingredients and whether or not they are tested on animals. This convenience shopping could mean that people are unknowingly purchasing products that they might otherwise avoid for ethical reasons.  

Fortunately there are many fantastic cruelty free brands on the market today which certainly makes it easier for those of us who want to avoid products that have been tested on animals. For an easy way to identify cruelty-free products look out for the Leaping Bunny logo which are 'certified cruelty free under the internationally-recognised Humane Cosmetics or Humane Household Products Standards.' Although the EU has now banned animal tested cosmetics, this is not applicable to cosmetics sold outside the EU. As Go Cruelty Free states, 'The Leaping Bunny is a global standard and applies to all of the operations and sales of companies, not just those for the EU. We only certify companies that have a policy not to test their products on animals for any market, including China where animal testing for imported products is currently required.' So definitely keep an eye out for the Leaping Bunny if you want to ensure you are buying cruelty-free products! 

Cruelty free brands:

Burt's Bees

Neals Yard

Liz Earle

Dermalogica

Lush

Marks and Spencer's own brand products 

Models Own

REN

Sainsbury's own brand products

Soap and Glory

Pai Skincare

The Body Shop

To name but a few! For more cruelty-free brands and shopping advice I highly recommend visiting the Go Cruelty Free website. How do you feel about cruelty-free products? Do you research cosmetics or companies before you make a purchase?

Book Review // Before I Go To Sleep by S J Watson

Before I Go To Sleep - S J Watson, published 2011

Before I Go To Sleep tells the story of a middle-aged woman named Christine who suffers from anterograde amnesia - she wakes up every morning with no recollection of who or where she is. The book is a psychological thriller that follows Christine as she attempts to reconstruct her memories and discover who she is. 

For a first novel I think that this book is very well written and well paced. As a reader you are kept in a sense of anticipation as to what will happen next throughout the book. I enjoy psychological thrillers and find stories that revolve around memory quite fascinating (Memento and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind happen to be a couple of my favourite films), so I was instantly drawn towards the premise of this novel. Although a little slow in parts, I think that this doesn't distract from the book rather acts to highlight the mundane suburban existence that Christine finds herself living. For me the ending was somewhat predictable and dry, but overall I enjoyed the story and felt that I connected with the character of Christine - a trait that I look for and associate with a good writer. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a thriller and I am looking forward to SJ Watson's next novel! Before I Go To Sleep is now being turned into a film adaption written and directed by Rowan Joffé, starring Nicole Kidman as Christine and Colin Firth as Ben. I will be intrigued to see how the film lives up to the novel and how the actors will portray the characters. I think Colin Firth has been cast well but remain unsure of Nicole Kidman as Christine.

Have you read Before I Go To Sleep? What do you think about the film adaption?

Scalp Saviour // E45 Shampoo Review

Sometimes products are not pretty or glamourous... this is one of those times. Over the past couple of years I have been struggling with my scalp. I have no idea what triggered it, but after one sunny holiday my poor head was never quite the same again. I am not sure if my issues are due to sun damage (always wear a hat folks!), but ever since I have had an extremely sensitive scalp. Oh so glamourous. 

Although I am fortunate not to suffer with any unsightly dandruff, I do get a very uncomfortable scalp. It often feels tight, itchy or sore and means that I have to wash my hair everyday in order to keep it comfortable. Over time I have tried many different shampoos and conditioners, but all have seemed to irritate my sensitive head - until now!

Feeling fed up with my poor head, I decided to try a few more specialist shampoos that are designed for either extreme sensitivity or dry conditions such as eczema and psoriasis. Having tried similar products in the past I wasn't too hopeful, but decided to try the E45 shampoo as I had seen some positive reviews. The shampoo is perfume free and hypoallergenic and claims to be a 'gentle, effective shampoo for dry, itchy scalps...'. Even after first use I could tell that my head was happier. It felt somehow soothed and not at all irritated. Once dry my hair also felt incredibly soft - a pleasant surprise to say the least! 

Although it is still early days for my scalp, I feel that this shampoo has really helped me and I could not help but share my thoughts. If you are suffering from similar sensitivity issues I would really recommend giving E45 a try! E45 dry scalp shampoo retails for £5.89 for 200ml and is available to buy from Boots.

Estèe Lauder Zodiac Powder Compact Review // Virgo

Happy new year! After a break over the christmas period, I'm back (a little heavier) and looking forward to the next year in beauty. I also wanted to say a big thank you to everyone who followed my blog during 2013! I really appreciate all your lovely comments and support, and stay tuned as there is lots more to come this year.

I was lucky enough to receive some lovely christmas presents this year, including this beautiful limited edition Estèe Lauder zodiac compact*. Estèe Lauder always make such beautiful and luxurious products, but this compact feels truly special. It is a small yet weighty, gold coloured compact with a zodiac design (mine is virgo) and crystal detail on the front. What drew me to this compact was the design - it is gloriously vintage inspired with an art deco style and seems reminiscent of old school Hollywood glamour. Each star sign is represented with an individual design (12 in total), all of which are equally beautiful! 

The compact arrives in a lovely box, and is accompanied by a little blue velvet pouch in order to protect your compact from wear and tear. The powder itself is translucent and very good at getting rid of unwanted shine. The powder refills are pricey at £15, but I know that I will get a lot of use out of this compact for the mirror as well as the powder. This is definitely a keepsake product and I am sure I will be using it for many years to come. 

I have nothing negative to say about this compact at all! It is a joy to use and I feel oh so glamorous every time I bring it out of my handbag. The limited edition zodiac compact retails for £38.50 and is available from the Estèe Lauder website. Did you get any beauty presents this year?

* Item was a gift.

Foodie Faves // Nákd raw fruit and nut bars Review

I thought I would share my new favourite healthy snacks on the blog today as I have been enjoying them immensely. The product in question is the raw fruit and nut bars from nákd. I had previously never heard or tried anything from this brand, but on a food shop I noticed these bars and thought I would give them a try - and I am so glad that I did.

Firstly I love that these bars are individually wrapped and portable, so they can be easily thrown into a handbag and taken to work or school - no more excuses for buying a chocolate bar come midday! I have a sweet tooth and am often tempted to snack on sweets or biscuits, but in an attempt to be more healthy, I was looking for an alternative to those naughty treats. I like these nákd bars because they satisfy my sweet tooth whilst containing good raw ingredients. The bars consist of dates, cashews and raisins as the base ingredients, then depending on the flavour either some natural flavourings or cocoa is added. There is no added sugar or syrups, they are 100% vegan and count as 1 of your 5 a day (woohoo!). They are also gluten, wheat and dairy free. I like all the flavours from the range, but my personal favourite is the cocoa orange. It tastes indulgent, but minus the guilty conscience! 

With other flavours such as Ginger Bread, Caffé Mocha, Cocoa Mint, Cashew Cookie and Pecan Pie available I am eager to try some more varieties from the range! Nákd also make a protein crunch bar that sounds equally as delicious.

Nákd bars are available from Natural Balance Foods, Holland and Barrett, Amazon, Waitrose, Tesco and Sainsbury's. Do you have a favourite healthy snack? Have you tried anything from nákd before? I would love to hear your thoughts!

Max Benjamin // Mimosa & Sweet Amber Natural Wax Candle Review

I am a fully-fledged candle lover. There is something lovely about lighting a candle in the evening and relaxing whilst the warm glow and scent fills the room. In winter I find myself using candles more regularly as they help to get me into the festive spirit. The latest addition to my candle collection is the Mimosa & Sweet Amber candle from Max Benjamin. Max Benjamin is an Irish company that creates hand-made candles in County Wicklow. They use a 'blend of pure natural waxes, essential oils and lead free wicks' meaning that their candles are made from 100% natural resources. The wax itself is created from Soy beans and other natural waxes, which means that it does not contain paraffin. This results in the candle burning cleanly without petrol-carbon soot. 

The Mimosa & Sweet Amber scent has the most incredible fresh yet sweet smell, and unlike some scented candles that I have tried in the past, this candle is strongly scented and fills the room with scent. Max Benjamin describe this scent as 'delicate top notes of green leaf, a gentle heart of mimosa, with soothing elements of sweet ambered sandal.' It is certainly a calm and relaxing scent, ideal for cold evenings in.

I have thoroughly enjoyed burning this candle and adore the Max Benjamin brand! I will definitely be exploring more of their scents in the future. I think that these candles would make a lovely gift as they feel very luxurious and are of such a high quality. Max Benjamin also have a fantastic selection of reed diffusers and skincare items - so there is something for everyone! 

The Max Benjamin candles retail for £19.95 and are available from the Max Benjamin website, House of Fraser and Ocado. Do you have a favourite candle?

How To: Make a Banana Loaf // Recipe

This is a recipe that I have been using for many years. When I have left-over bananas that need to be used, or I fancy making a quick and easy cake for friends or family, this is the recipe that I reach for! You can make a plain banana loaf, or you can easily jazz up this recipe by adding nuts, raisins, chocolate or even nutella! This recipe is incredibly versatile, so why not experiment and try adding your own extra ingredients? 

To make this yummy banana loaf...

Equipment:

• A mixing bowl
• A fork
• A spoon
• An Oven
• A loaf tin
• Loaf tin liner (optional)
• Scales

Ingredients: 

• Bananas (ripe) - 2 
• Self-raising flour - 8oz (227g)
• Margarine - 2oz (57g)
• Caster Sugar - 5oz (142g)
• Eggs - 2
• Nuts/Raisins/Chocolate/Nutella - optional

Step 1. In a mixing bowl, mash the bananas until soft with a fork.

Step 2. Measure out the sugar, margarine and add to the mixing bowl. Cream together with the eggs.

Step 3. Measure out and add the self-raising flour. Stir until the mixture has combined.

Step 4. Add any additional ingredients such as nuts, raisins, chocolate pieces or nutella. I chose to add a handful of chopped walnuts.

Step 5. Add the mixture to a greased or lined loaf tin. Bake at gas mark 5 (375°F/190°C) for 40 - 45 minutes, or until golden brown.

Step 6. Check that the loaf is baked by inserting a skewer and checking that it comes out clean. If it is, remove the loaf from the oven and allow it to cool on a cooling rack.

Step 7. Eat and enjoy your banana loaf! It makes the perfect accompaniment to a cup of tea.

This recipe is so quick and easy to recreate and makes a very tasty loaf. Let me know if you try this recipe! I would love to hear your thoughts.

Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula Natural Bronze Body Lotion // Review

I am naturally pale and sometimes find myself yearning for a warmer skin-tone. At these times I like to use a gradual tanner, nothing too obvious but something to add a hint of colour to my fair complexion. I have experimented with a few gradual tanners over the years - some too orangey, some too dark, some too light, but think that I have finally found my ideal gradual tan in the form of Palmer's Natural Bronze.

The Palmer's Natural Bronze Body Lotion appealed to me as I have loved the Palmer's Cocoa Butter Lotion for many years. The Natural Bronze lotion has the same delicious cocoa butter scent of the original, but with the added benefit of a gradual tan. I found that this product creates an easily build-able tan, and with one application over night I wake up with a noticeable hint of colour which lasts me a good 3 to 4 days before I have to reapply. If you prefer a darker tan you can easily build up the colour by applying the product more regularly. This lotion creates a natural looking colour and I have had no problems with patchiness or streaking as it is very easy to apply. I love the addition of a pump to the packaging. Not only can you control how much product you use, but it also results in clean mess-free applications.

The lotion itself is quite thick for a gradual tan, meaning that it is incredibly moisturising. Formulated with Vitamin E, I found that the lotion kept my skin feeling soft and supple. The Palmer's range is also against animal testing and is paraben free - hoorah!

The only downside to this product is that the smell does develop from the lovely cocoa butter scent, to the classic fake tan smell. For this reason I prefer to use the lotion over night so that I can wash of the scent in the morning. The scent however does not put me off using the product as the results are the best that I have encountered from a gradual tan. The cocoa butter formula also seems to make the fake tan smell less obnoxious than usual, which can only be a bonus. 

This product has definitely become my favourite gradual tan, and I will be repurchasing it as soon as I run out! The Palmer's Natural Bronze body lotion retails for £5.35 for 250ml, and is available from Boots and Superdrug. Do you have a go-to tanning product? 

Carmex Moisture Plus - Berry Tinted Lip Balm Review

There is nothing worse than chapped flaky lips. It can be both uncomfortable and unflattering, and as we approach the winter months the colder weather draws out more moisture from our skin. To tackle the issue of dry lips I always carry a lip balm with me. I have tried numerous brands over the years, but Carmex is one that I have always found  to be extremely effective.

Rather than repurchasing the standard Carmex in a pot, I thought that I would try the Moisture Plus Tinted version instead. These 'ultra hydrating' lip balms come in a handy tube and are available in four shades - Clear, Peach, Pink and Berry. I opted for the berry shade as I thought it sounded the most autumnal. I found the shade to be more red than berry, but nonetheless a lovely colour. The pigmentation is sheer so ideal for day-to-day wear and adds just a hint of colour to the lips. The finish is slightly glossy, but not as glossy as a lip gloss.

As for moisturisation, I found this product to be incredibly hydrating and tackled any stubbon dry patches. When using this lip balm, my lips were kept hydrated for a few hours before having to reapply. Pretty good going for a tinted lip balm! According to the packaging the balm is formulated with Vitamin E, Aloe, Shea Butter and SPF 15. The balm was easy to apply and is very convenient as you do not need a mirror. It has a pleasant scent - the traditional Carmex smell with a hint of vanilla. Noticeable, but nothing too overpowering.

Overall I have really been enjoying this lip balm and have been reaching for it whenever I feel that my lips are getting a bit dry. I think that this product will quickly become a winter handbag essential! The Carmex Moisture Plus Lip Balms retail for £4.49 and are available from Boots, Superdrug and Feel Unique.

Do you have a go-to lip balm for the colder months? Let me know your favourites!

Fudge Urban Iced Raspberry & Vanilla Hairspray Review

There is something that you should know about me, I'm fickle. I very rarely repurchase the same product as I am always eager to try new things. I am also a sucker for nice packaging, and appreciate well thought out graphics and designs (thanks GCSE Graphics!). On the search for a new hairspray, I came across this little beauty in the aisles of Superdrug. Fudge is a brand that I have a limited experience with. Before using this hairspray I had never used a Fudge product, and only knew of the brand as my boyfriend used to use a Fudge hair wax a few years ago. I really did not know what to expect from this purchase, but was enticed by the pretty packaging (well done Fudge design team).

The packaging, oh the packaging. A brightly coloured pink and orange affair, it should scream tacky but it doesn't. Somehow the packaging manages to retain a grown-up feel, perhaps due to the lovely brushed metal tube that adds a (literal) touch of class. All in all the packaging is eye-catching and fun, and makes a welcome addition to my dressing table.  

The product itself claims '...soft to touch hair and 24 hours of hold. Anti frizz properties smooth and seal loose ends leaving your hair feeling natural while keeping your style in place all day.' In terms of performance this hairspray is a strong hold. I tested the staying power by using this product on an up-do, and the results were fantastic! My hair stayed in place all day and with minimum frizz. The bottle claims that the hairspray is 'soft touch' which I do not necessarily agree with as I found that when applied liberally this hairspray does create the dreaded 'crispy hair' effect. However, this could be easily remedied as the product was incredibly easy to brush out, leaving my hair feeling soft.

The scent, Iced Raspberry and Vanilla, is pleasantly sweet, not too overpowering, and lingers in the hair throughout the day - a huge bonus! I usually avoid trying to use hairspray as I detest the smell, but this Fudge hairspray scent is so lovely that I find myself using the product for the scent alone.

I am very impressed with this Fudge Urban hairspray and will definitely be repurchasing it. I liked this product so much that will also be looking to purchase more products from the Fudge brand in the near future - I currently have my eye on the Raspberry and Vanilla styling mousse! The Fudge Urban Iced Raspberry & Vanilla hairspray retails for £4.99 is available from Superdrug.

Have you tried any Fudge products?

A Soap & Glory Love Affair

Last month it was birthday and I was lucky enough to receive some lovely presents from my family. Knowing that I have a great love for the Soap & Glory brand, they bought me some lovely goodies from the range. 

The Daily Smooth Body Butter - £9.00 for 250ml

This Daily Smooth body butter is fragranced with Bergamot, Blackcurrant, Magnolia, Freesia, Vanilla and Musk - which equates to a lovely feminine scent. The body butter itself is a reasonably thick cream that lives up to its promise of being an 'amazingly-effective dry skin formula'. I find this body butter incredibly moisturising and lovely to apply after a shower. The scent lingers throughout the day and my skin is left feeling soft and supple.

The Breakfast Scrub - £8.00 for 300ml

The Breakfast scrub is made from oat, shea butter and sugar with organic cupuacu bio scrubs, bananas, almond and honey extracts. With these ingredients you could assume that the scrub smells like honey or banana, but it does however smell like maple syrup. The scent is so deliciously sweet that I found myself sniffing this product non-stop. I have a personal preference to sweet smelling products, however I know that not everybody will want to smell like a walking pancake, so some people will find the scent of this scrub far too sickly. Scent aside, this is really lovely scrub to use and is very effective at smoothing the skin. I can also see this tub lasting me a long time as you only need to use a small amount of product per shower.

Clean On Me Shower Gel - £6.00 for 500ml

This shower gel has the 'classic' Soap & Glory signature scent - very reminiscent of Dior's Miss Dior Cherie. I found the gel to be a very creamy and luxurious consistency and lovely to use, especially in conjunction with the scrub gloves! It claims to also have the addition of a built-in body lotion, and I can certainly say that after using this product my skin felt soft and moisturised without having to use a separate lotion. As with all Soap & Glory products I adore the cute retro packaging, and the pump makes it easy and mess free to use in the shower.

Smoothie Star Body Milk - £10.00 for 500ml

A relatively new scent to the Soap & Glory range, the Smoothie Star Body Milk contains Almond, Cocoa, Yogurt, Oat and Honey and smells like Almonds, Brown Sugar and Oats. I adore anything sweet or edible smelling, so this is probably my favourite Soap & Glory scent. The lotion itself is incredibly moisturising and claims to feature a 'waterlock' moisture trapping matrix - although I'm not sure exactly how this technology works, this lotion certainly left my skin feeling super soft and moisturised all day long.

Scrub Gloves - £4.00 for one pair

These cute scrub gloves are a great way to exfoliate without the need to use a scrub. They are lovely to use in conjunction with the Clean On Me Shower Gel and they leave my skin feeling really cleansed and soft - fabulous for dry knees or elbows! 

Soap & Glory products are available to buy from Boots stores and online. I would recommend all of these Soap & Glory products, and they make lovely gifts! Do you have a favourite Soap & Glory product?

Autumnal make-up trends for 2013

The deep, berry lip

Deep berry shades were very popular last autumn, and they are back and in full-force for 2013. This look can be daunting for some, but berry shades needn't be scary. If you are not confident enough to pull off a full on dark lip, options such as tinted balms and stains can enable you to achieve this trend in a more subtle and wearable way. One of my favourite products for the berry trend is the Revlon Kissable Balm Stain in Crush. This product is a balm stain so is easily build-able from a lighter coverage to a more dramatic colour. The wonderful thing about using a stain is that they have fantastic longevity - I find the Revlon Balm Stain to last throughout the day, even when eating and drinking! Another favourite of mine is the Rimmel Kate Moss lipstick in 107 (reviewed here). This lipstick is more on the red side of berry, and has a matte finish which not only increases the longevity but is a key  textural trend for autumn 2013.

Revlon Kissable Balm Stain in Crush - applied lightly

Revlon Kissable Balm Stain in Crush - applied heavily

Rimmel Kate Moss Lipstick in 107

The neutral, nude eye

Simple eye makeup compliments a dark berry lip and is incredibly easy to create! You could simply apply mascara alone, or apply a light coloured eyeshadow across the lid first. For a sheer amount of colour and shimmer the Maybelline Color Tattoo cream eyeshadow in Pink Gold can be used to create an easy neutral look. To warm up a simple eye look, apply a light amount of bronzer through the eye crease with a blending brush, this ties the look together nicely and prevents a dark lip from washing out the complexion.

Neutral eye look using mascara alone

Nude eye using the Maybelline Color Tattoo in Pink Gold

Another upcoming trend for autumn 2013 is the berry coloured eye. Much like the dark lip, a berry eye can seem daunting and difficult to wear. I am currently experimenting with a few new products to create the perfect smokey berry eye look, so keep an eye out (excuse the pun) for an upcoming post on the berry eye trend! 

What are your favourite makeup trends or products for autumn 2013? 

Tutorial // A Brown Smokey Liner Look

Today I fancied changing up my makeup look and opted for a brown smokey cat-eye. I think that brown makes a nice alternative to black and can still add drama and a sultry quality to a look.

This look was easy to achieve with three products, and would be suitable for an everyday look or an evening out. To achieve this look I used two brown eyeshadows from an Esteé Lauder palette - one a medium brown which went all over the lid, and the other a dark chocolate brown which I blended into the crease. I then used a warm brown gel eyeliner from Collection (reviewed here) in a small flick along my top lash-line. I then blended some of the brown eyeliner along my lower lash-line and smudged it in with a pencil brush. To finish the look I used Esteé Lauder Sumptuous Volume mascara (reviewed here). To add extra drama you could add false lashes, but as I was wearing this during the day I chose to skip this step.

Do you prefer black or brown eyeliners?

BaByliss Glamour Waves Review

My ideal hair is volumised with some movement as you would get from a professional blow dry, but I find achieving this look at home quite difficult. One tool I use to try and achieve this look is the BaByliss Glamour Waves. I have been using this tool on and off for a few years now, but recently I have been gravitating towards it to create soft loose curls and added volume to my hair.

The tool itself is a large barrelled curling wand (38mm) with four heat settings - the highest being 200°C. I find that the tool heats up quickly and is incredibly easy to use. I just wrap my hair around the wand towards my head, hold for about 10 seconds, then release. After completing this action around my whole head, I run my fingers through the curls to separate and finish with hairspray. Et voilà - added volume and movement with minimal effort! 

For an extra boost, try tipping your head upside down and then spray with hairspray. The BaByliss Glamour Waves retails for around £20.00 and is available to buy from Boots, Argos and Amazon.

What products do you use to achieve a volumised look?

Looking behind the labels // Parabens

Many of us use cosmetics and health-care products without looking in detail at the ingredients. We trust that what we are using on our bodies is safe and has had the appropriate tests to ensure no nasty side effects - but do we really know what is in the products that we use? There has been a recent trend for products to include paraben-free and organic labels, but why is this? What are parabens, and should we be actively trying to avoid them?

What are Parabens?

Essentially parabens are chemical compounds that are used in cosmetics, health-care products and even some foods to preserve and prolong their life. They act to kill mould and fungi, thus helping the product to stay fresh and have a longer shelf life. Sounds pretty convenient for both companies and consumers, however parabens have received negative press due to their link to cancer.

Chemical structure of a paraben (a para-hydroxybenzoate) - what a mouthful!

Why are some people worried about Parabens?

Parabens have been linked to cancer, specifically breast cancer. Parabens have caused worry as they have an ability to mimic the hormone oestrogen - which is known to have a major role in the development of breast cancer. It is still not clear whether parabens contribute to the development of breast cancer, but they have been found in some breast cancer tumours. 

The chemical was found in 99% of samples from 40 women with breast cancer in a study by the University of Reading in 2004. Though this percentage seems worryingly high, this study did not compare the cancerous samples against women with healthy breast tissue - thus it does not prove that parabens are a cause of the cancer. It is important to note that the link between parabens and cancer has neither been proven or disproven. However, as a result of these studies those with a family history of breast cancer (myself included) may choose to opt for paraben-free alternatives to eliminate any possible cancer risks.

How do you look for Parabens?

Parabens are used in many different products as they are a cheap way to preserve goods. As they are so readily used, it can be difficult to find effective products that are paraben-free. If you are interested in using paraben-free products look out for labels and stickers stating that the product contains no parabens. Alternatively you can look at the ingredients. The most commonly used parabens are:

• methylparaben
• ethylparaben
• propylparaben
• butylparaben
• heptylparaben
• isobutylparaben

...though there are others.

How do you avoid Parabens?
There are many paraben-free brands available on the market and more companies are beginning to ditch parabens in favour of more natural preservatives. Some great paraben-free brands include: 

• Good Things
• Boots Botanics
• Badger
• Yes To
• Nivea's Pure & Natural range
• Pai Skincare
• Balance me
• Amie

Some paraben-free products replace parabens in favour of organic acids that act to preserve products without the need for parabens. Sodium benzoate, potassium sorbate and diazolidinyl urea are just three examples of these organic acids. If you are interested in paraben-free alternatives or organic products The Organic Pharmacy is a great resource for looking up and learning more about organic ingredients.

It is a personal choice whether or not to avoid parabens, but either way I think that it is important for consumers to be aware of what is in the products they use. Take a minute to look at the ingredients, if a product is packed full of unpronounceable chemicals maybe consider what you are putting onto your body. Personally my ethos is to try and avoid as many chemicals as I can as a precautionary measure, but it can be a bit of a hassle so it is not for everyone!

What are your thoughts on parabens? Do you worry about the chemicals that are in your health-care products? If you have any questions or comments please leave them below.

Sources: NHS UK, Wikipedia, Paraben.co.uk, breastcancerfund.org