10 Little Beauty Secrets Tag

Ooo my first tag! Spotted this the other day and thought this is quite an easy one to do! So, here's my top 10 little beauty secrets.....

  What product makes you feel a million dollars?

Red lipstick all the way! I just don't feel ready to leave my house with out it on. I also love the way it totally transforms any outfit... before the lipstick goes on I feel a bit 'plain jane', but as soon as that lipstick hits my face I'm like POW lets go save the world!

What’s your skin care secret/a passed down tip?

My Mum always taught me to take my makeup off before bed, I always feel so much fresher in the mornings! I keep my routine very simple and just moisturize daily but then once a week will have a pampering evening which will include cleansing, toning, exfoliating, face mask's etc. the works! 

What’s your hair care secret?

I feel like I'm not really looking after my hair that much at the moment so need to reassess my hair care routine but I swear by TIGI Bed Head Head Rush which is a shine spray, it always gives my hair a beautiful healthy shine!!

What’s your biggest diet rule?

Gosh I don't believe in diets! The more I concentrate on food and what I am not allowing myself to eat, the more I crave and end up eating the food I have banned! I let myself eat what ever I fancy at the time and my body usually works it out for me, if I eat nothing but chocolate for 2 days I get sick of it and really fancy smoothies and fruit for the next week!

Any workout tips?

Unfortunately I am not one of those people who rolls out of bed at 6am and thinks 'yes, exercise time!'. I prefer exercise that isn't exercise, I will take a friends dog for a really long walk, go crazy on the dance floor for a solid 4 hours with my girls or do star jumps while I am waiting for my toast to pop! 

What’s your perfume secret weapon?

At the moment I seem to be wearing Paco Robanne One Million an awful lot. I feel like I smell the same as every other boy as it is so popular but it just smells so good!

Which item of clothing always turns heads?

For me personally a 1950's circle skirt with a petticoat, I always class 50's as the 'casual' side of my wardrobe but I find more people notice what I'm wearing as it's rare to see someone in the cinema with a big poofy skirt on. 

What’s your most treasured piece of jewellery?

I have 3 pieces that never come off; my step-mums engagement ring, my Tiffany thumb ring from my Aunty Nellie and my Tiffany key necklace from my Pa.

Who’s your style crush?

I don't really follow any celebrity styles but at the moment it will have to be Lady Gaga.. please don't judge me!!!!! She just wears the most ridiculous outfits and has managed to pull it off so that it is almost acceptable and normal. I would also say Grace Kelly for her elegance. 

Tell us something we don’t know about you.

I want to shave my hair off for charity but worry if I do my Mum's heart would break, therefore am in the process of thinking up something as daring but that won't make my Mum cry in the process!! 

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I'm Feeling Christmassy!

Now I know Christmas is still 43 days away but I am unfortunately one of those annoying people that start rabbiting on about it at least 2 months too early..... and I am putting my Christmas tree up tomorrow!!! No I am not loosing the plot and suffering from Christmas fever! I have many good reasons! Firstly being that I have lots of rather beautiful/very cool Christmas decorations!!!!! My flat also is rather bare. I have enough things in it but I like a busy home with too much stuff in it...it gives me that cosy feeling. Therefore I feel a Christmas tree will take up quite a bit of space and it will be all cosy and wintery!! The plan is that all my lovely girls are coming round to help me, we are putting on Christmas music and having a big dinner cooked (my lovely friend Jen is a chef, I'm not adventurous enough in the kitchen to cook for myself let alone numerous other people). Anyway as we all work evenings and the Christmas period means less time off, this is probably one of the few times leading up to Christmas we will all have an evening off together!!! AND I am going away on boxing day to go skiing; I won't be back until after New Year, therefore my Christmas tree needs to come down before I go as I get rather superstitious about bad luck, soooo I thought as it is going down early it can go up early. Anyway enough excuses, I want to put it up so its going up, lets get christmassy!

This post isn't here to ramble on about my Christmas tree (although do expect lots of lovely pictures of it!) I am actually doing my Christmas wish list! 

Top of my wish list is the Pearl coat from Collectif which has just been released today, I'M IN LOVE! I have been on a wintery coat hunt for at least a month now, and although I rarely wear brown I was given the most beautiful brown vintage handbag for my birthday from my Grandma and have since gone a little nutty for the colour, with brown shoes, hats etc. being purchased. I just need a fabulous winter coat to match! 

Secondly is Black Orchid by Tom Ford. It is a mans perfume (I'm not sure men cal it perfume, but I don't know what else to call it) and I am completely head over heels in love with it! I much prefer wearing men's scents, although it probably means I am only attracting women it is something I am willing to contend with if it means smelling like a god. I'm considering buying it for my boy and hoping he will leave it at mine! Devious plans!

I am in LOVE with Nichole De Carle!! There isn't one specific thing I would like, I pretty much want the whole collection for Christmas! The picture I have used is showing the classics carry forward last testament brief with braces and the classics carry forward last testament bra, both of which are probably my favorite but only by a pinch. Unfortunately I seem to have a small thing for items with a large price tag, anything from here won't come cheap but a girl can dream right?

I hate to say it but where would Christmas be if there was no such thing as Christmassy knitted jumpers? I'm taking it a step up this year and would like a full on, in your face Christmassy knitted onesie!

This one isn't exactly on my Christmas list but more of a 'New Year shopping list'. I have decided in the new year I am going to save up my pennies and spoil myself with a 50's freestanding kitchen unit. This is just one I found on eBay as unit-inspiration!! I think they are incredibly cool, a little bit different and would suit my flat perfectly! I would also quite like a 50's diner booth but unfortunately money doesn't grow on tree's so I am going to tackle this one sexy piece of furniture at a time!! 

Best be off, going to go get my Christmas decorations out in preparation for tomorrow! Woooo! 

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Shall We Dance?

Good evening beautiful people!

I have had the most fabulous weekend and thought it would be rude not to share what I have been up too... My lovely friend Jo is a dancer, an incredibly good one if I may say so, and I have just spent last Sunday watching her compete! I've never been before and it was amazing!!! The atmosphere, the beautiful dresses, the incredible dancing, gosh I can't even begin to explain it! Unfortunately I got incredibly swept up in the moment and was too busy watching to get many good photos, didn't even think to pick up my camera and snap away at the really cute 8 year old's ballroom dancing in their little suits and dresses! They also all move rather quickly so getting a good photo was pretty much impossible!

So.. there were two types of dancing (Jo competes in 12 different types, this was just on this particular day) which were ballroom and latin. The two most different types of dancing ever! I can't really explain much about them, I'm rather clueless but it was rather awe inspiring just watching. And the dresses I have fallen in love with and made myself a promise to make one! 

Unfortunately my outfit wasn't as eye catching or glittery as those on the dance floor but I have included a little outfit post! I really struggled with what is 'normal' to wear to these things. You obviously have all the dancers glammed up to the 9's (is that the right saying?), the pushy glamourous mothers of the cute little kids who dressed as though they were about to hit a very posh bar, and then the extreme of people in their comfy clothes and hoodys. Therefore I went for my 'go-to' casual day outfit....

Dress - Lindy Bop

Late 1950's Bag - eBay

Seamed Stockings - Present from my Grandma 

Shoes - Charity Shop

I also had my navy blue thick wool coat from Zara but didn't get any snaps of it, so I will therefore save it for another day!

Apologies for all the photo's, my blog is becoming more and more photo orientated rather than much content, but I doubt anyone would like to read me moaning on about old lady's clothes etc!!!!

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A Few Photo's

Hello lovely people, long time no speak!

I recently took part in a photo shoot for the most loveliest of photographers Stephen Keighley, and had the most fabulous time. Other than messing about with friends, or taking photos for my blog I haven't actually modeled for anyone before, with the exception of a friend for a project, therefore I was incredibly nervous about what to expect! But all went incredibly smoothly!!

He is located in Launceston, the small town where my Mummykins lives so it was all organised for my visit down there. The photo shoot itself was SO easy, I quite fancy being the next Kate Moss if this is the norm! I made sure I had 3 hours spare, I have no clue what for but it is always better to be prepared yet it was over and done with in 45 minutes! There was no rushing and without being big headed I would like to say I personally think the photos are amazing for such little time and effort. I even had a little tour of the town so all in all I am a happy girl! 

I am very happy with the photos! I'm one of those girls who can pick faults in all pictures ever taken of me but I love these! There was a little hair issue in the fact the my dearest Mummsy stole the hairspray therefore my curls lasted a total of 9 minutes, but despite the argument I had with my hair all is good! I wore my Stop Staring dress, the coat is from Topshop, my ever trusty handbag from my Mum, seamed stockings and simple black heels. I hope you like it!

Stephen's twitter

Stephen's Facebook

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Ready Steady Bake

Hello!

I am currently having some time off work and have come down to Cornwall to visit my family and catch up with friends so I will have loads of photos to share over the next week and a half! As of yet I haven't got up to anything too exciting, but instead have spent the time being lovely and lazy! I even spent the afternoon cooking with my two brothers which was an adventure in itself! One brother had taken control of the camera, the other was on 'mess making' duties!! I haven't got too many photos to share that are in focus but I will do my best!

I am really enjoying spending quality time with my family as I don't see them too often. It is also so beautiful down here, something I didn't appreciate when I lived here myself! Although I have had a super lazy day today I am making this a small outfit post, just to give a feel of my 'chilling' outfits. 

Knitted blouse - charity shop

Skirt - Vivien of Holloway

Heels - charity shop

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Hey Doll Face

'I love glamour and artificial beauty. I love the idea of artifice and dressing up and makeup and hair' - Dita Von Teese

Ok.. I really am planning on making this more of a vintagey style blog rather than a beauty and makeup blog but then I thought, hey!! makeup is part of my era and the glamour in which I love comes from being able to create that! Unfortunately I wasn't born with satin smooth picture perfect skin, I have blonde eyelashes and eyebrows which means I am able to pass very convincingly as an albino who has died their hair and I also suffer from the worst under eye bags which have ever existed, even after 12 hours beauty sleep! 

What I love about the era in which I dress is that beauty and glamour can be created. I am amazed at the women who can leap out of bed, put their hair up and look stunning, I am also incredibly envious! But on the other hand I love my makeup. I enjoy doing my face everyday, I like having the patience to slowly build up what ever I am trying to achieve, to learn different methods of applying and see improvements. Many will disagree with me but I genuinely feel like make up is art and I am the little old painter with his palette trying to create what ever tickles his fancy today! Dear lord I sound like a crazy old bat but it is just how I feel!

I was thinking of doing a before and after photo but the before photos were so shocking and not something I wish the world and his dog to view! Therefore I have just included my whole makeup case, what I use in 'everyday' makeup and then plan to do separate posts reviewing single items of my makeup over time! 

My makeup box

Things I slap on my face -

Soap & Glory - Feel Good Factor SPF25

MAC - Prep + Prime

Benefit - Boing concealer

MAC - Studio Fix Fluid in NW10

MAC - Studio Fix Powder

Bourjois - Blusher in Frosted Rose

MAC - makeup brushes no. 187 (foundation brush), 150 (blusher brush) & 195 (concealer brush)

QVS - compact powder brush 

My go to lippy things -

Aloe Vera Vaseline (20 minutes before putting lipstick on)

MaxFactor - Colour Elixir Lip Liner in 10 Red Rush

MAC - Matte Ruby Woo

Soap & Glory - Sexy Mother Pucker in Yummy Plum

As I have already done a post on my eyemakeup I won't bore you with the details again but I will mention I have invested in a new eyeliner which I am getting on much better with!!

Rimmel London - Glam'Eyes

The finished product!!! Please ignore my stroke face lips and ever so attractive hair rollers! The last photo is of a different day and therefore different lipstick. I prefer the photo more but I think that is due to the quality being poor and I love a little blur around the edges to make everything seem peachy! 

Reviews on individual products to come in due course!

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Hollywood Glamour Bedroom Inspiration

Good morning! Or even afternoon now I guess! 

I was planning on doing a makeup blog today and I have spent the morning rummaging through my draws looking for some nice lacy material to photograph my makeup against (attempting to be artistic now that I have a fancy camera to use!!) During my rummaging and mess creating I became a little sidetracked and came across a lovely little surprise! Long long ago I purchased beautiful dress/top/pretty thing, which after buying I decided it didn't suit me or whatever look I was planning to achieve at the time and therefore it got shoved into a bottom draw. But fortunately it is making a comeback!

How ever I have tried to photograph this, it looks incredibly unflattering at every angle, maybe it is very unflattering but I am not sure I really care! I have been craving pretty loungewear for a long while now, as my wardrobe only really consists of dresses and skirts and nothing that I can slob about my flat in without actually looking like a slob! But I think I have found the answer! It is made with lace and chiffon, is quite loose and flowing and I could probably do yoga in it if I really feel the need... that is how comfortable it is! Yet it is far more pretty than any hoody or onesie or any other comfy lazy day clothing I have come across! 

Anyway enough verbal caressing of my new comfy clothes... after finding this item I have spent most of my afternoon researching vintage nightwear and pyjamas, without much luck. The genuine everyday sleepwear for everyday people usually consists of neck to toes nightys that look like tents and just no! I then wondered into Hollywood Glamour sleepy time clothes and oh my gosh I am in love. But I fell more in love with the bedrooms! The late 50's to 60's is an era I don't really spend much time on as I prefer the clothes of earlier years but when it comes to their decorating I love it!

I have created a little folder of images as inspiration for redecorating my bedroom and thought I would share it with you! I hope you enjoy! 

xxx