Stila Lip Glaze Collection

All is Bright Lip Glaze Set 
Stila
£18.50 down to £12.95

At Christmas (I know crazy to still be talking about it in February but I've got lots of beauty bits to be getting through) Stila had a few different gift sets and a lip glaze set was one of them

They're still available on the Stila website at the discounted rate, such a good bargain considering each full size glaze alone is around £16!

Out of the eight colours above only two are permanent al though I can only see Black Cherry on the website at the moment.

From what I can gather from other online swatches the lip glazes are consistently well pigmented and glossy 

I like how in the gift set there was a good range of different colours included ranging from subtle, sheer pinks right up to deep berry.

The darker colours look gorgeous on the lips

I personally can't really pull off a matte, dark, vampy lip but the glossy finish makes it so much more wearable

They do slightly stain the lips once the gloss has worn off but in a flattering way 

Plus the gloss lasts really well, which to me is quite surprising as I tend to find it disappears off my lips within half an hour

I still felt  the gloss at least 2 hours after application

I would definitely recommend looking into these, especially the gift sets they do as they're such good value!

Love

Belle

xoxo

Benefit 'Hoola' Bronzer



Hoola Bronzer

Benefit

£23.50

I've been contemplating buying the Benefit Hoola Bronzer for so long. It's perfect for a shimmer free, subtle bronzed look.

But I always seemed to put off purchasing.

I've had Nars Laguna in my collection for a while now but find it makes me look very orange and a bit oompa loompa ish

Maybe I have quite a heavy hand when it comes to application!

As usual the Benefit packaging is lovely

Al though the fact it's in a cardboard casing is slightly ngative as this takes a beating in my make up bag and ends up looking tatty very quickly

A fate that most of my Benefit boxes have met.

Hoola is one of benefits top selling products and I cans ee why.

It's a universally flattering shade which works well on almost everyone.

As someone that doesn't tan it gives me just the right amount of colour to look sunkissed but not tangoed.

As you can see from the above swatch it's pigmented well and has a great colour

also no shimmer which is good if your using it all over as no one wants to look like a disco ball...

I recently heard from my local Benefit MUA that Benefit are releasing cream blushers in the new year...how exciting!

Have you purchased the infamous Hoola?

Merry Christmas!

Love

Belle

xoxo

Benefit High Flying Lip Gloss Set

High Flying Glosses Set

Benefit

£19.50 

Every year Benefit bring out various make up gift sets for Christmas

Each set comes in gorgeous packaging as you would expect from Benefit

Recently Benefit released a range of lip glosses to compliment their boxes of blushers

I'd love to give them a go but not being a lover of lip glosses means I'm hesitant to spend money on them

I picked up this lip gloss set for a friend for Christmas, there are six different shades in the pack to correspond with the blushers; Coralista: Sheer Coral, Dallas: Dusty Rose, Bella Bamba: Sheer Bright Watermelon, Hoola: Shimmering Golden Nude, Sugarbomb: Shimmering Pinky Nude and Dandelion: Soft Pearly Pink.

The glosses aren't full sized but aren't teeny tiny mini. Their the perfect size to chuck in your bag on a night out.

At £19.50 it works out at only £3.25 each which is a bargain to be able to try all six different colours. 

Have you tried the new glosses from Benefit?

Love

Belle

xoxo

Christmas List

Christmas is my favourite time of year

I'm just like my Mum, we are the most festive people in our family

Last year we didn't celebrate as usual because my Grandad was in hospital

This year we're going to do him proud and have a great Christmas for him

I love spending time with my family and the festive period is all about family for us

Every weekend is full of various get togethers

I like to plan Christmas shopping very early and most people just laughed in my face when I asked what they wanted, back in September.

But now I have a super organised list for everyone and am about 80% done

I can't wait to sit down with a cheesy Christmas film, candles lit and a glass of wine to wrap them all up 

As a lover of lists I've made a 'visual guide' as my boyfriend always says he won't buy me anything off of a list... 

1. Philosophy Sugar Plum Fairy Gift Set ~ Boots

I actually bought this for a friend for Christmas and have fallen for the cute little set myself. The smell of the shower gel is amazing and it comes with a lovely little lipgloss, both a stunning deep purple colour. When I go to NYC I want to purchase a few Philosophy bits so I see this as a sampler to the goods ;)

2. Converse Sequin Trainers ~ Schuh

I saw these in a magazine a little while ago and thought they were gorgeous!

I've always been a converse girl at heart, at one point I had around 8 pairs...back in my emo/skater days...

I really like how these have a bit of glam factor about them

On the site I even read a review of a bride planning to wear these laced with ribbon on her wedding day...such a cute idea for a heel-phobe (I'm not phobic of course just can't walk in them to save my life!)

3. Stila Into The Light Eyeshadow Palette ~ Boots

This has appeared on countless blogs recently

Of course I've been lemming it, a neutral eyeshadow palette, it has my name all over it

Considering it's had such great reviews I'd love to add it to my little collection

It seems a bit smaller than the Urban Decay palette but mainly in length so it should fit in my smaller make up bag for on the go/travelling, perfect

4. Ted Baker Twinkee Glitter Bow Large Washbag ~ Ted Baker

Girly. Nude. Sparkly. Bow

Every girl needs a pretty washbag, self explanatory

5. Marc by Marc Jacobs Amy Gold Watch ~ Goldsmiths Jewellers

I've been drooling over gold, chunky watches for a while now but haven't quite found the one. It was close between this one and a Michael Kors watch, seeing as I got one for my 21st I figured I'd branch out into a different brand.

I kind of know for a fact that I won't be getting this simply because we aren't doing big presents this year but a girl can dream.

6. Too Faced Sweet Indulgence Make Up Set ~ Boots

I've never tried any Too Faced make up before but again seen plenty about it on blogs.

This limited edition kit looks like the perfect introduction to the brand. 

A good mixture of eyeshadows, blushers, primer etc. 

What's on your Christmas list this year?

Any traditions your family have?

Love

Belle

xoxo

Now that it's all over....

Well after the months of anticipation (on my part :P) Christmas is all over 

I had a fantastic few days spent with mine and Gavin's families

Got lots of lovely presents and enjoyed some gorgeous food....

Here's a few photos of the festivities :)

I got bored on the 23rd and cut my fringe....hopefully it suits me but who cares if it doesn't!

Mum, Honey and I on our version of Christmas Eve (23rd Dec.)

Mum cooked my favourite Shepherds Pie, and we watched Predators and Eclipse before going off to read in bed...perfect 

The Christmas Tree before Santa visited

Unfortunately Mum's got the photo of it after 

Honey and I being awesome 

My Christmas Eve outfit

White Tunic: Jack Wills, this has some lovely embroidery on it 

Brown Cardigan: American Eagle Outfitters

Necklace: Ebay

Worn with black New Look leggings and burgundy, thick, knee high socks from Topshop

Finished off with my brown boots from Journeys

This photo sort of shows the new Accessorize blushes and the Maxfactor lip tint pen

Both lovely products :)

My main present from Mummy, the Amazon Kindle

Honey attacking her pile of presents

Christmas day at my Dad's

Me with his Staff Alfie

I decided not to wear the pink blouse with this skirt, instead I opted for my favourite Topshop jumper

My dad's wife, Helen, and I with presents 

New panda hat from Winter Wonderland market in London

Love it :) 

Gavin and I on Boxing Day

Unfortunately I woke up feeling like death on Christmas day and still feel pretty crap now so as you can see in this picture I'm looking quite ill :(

I've had a lovely couple of days and hope everyone else had a fantastic Christmas 

Love 

Belle 

xxx

Christmas!!!!!!!

I love love love Christmas :)

It's my favourite time of year and this is our first one in the flat together.

Because of all the Christmas shopping I've been doing I haven't been buying anything for myself so no hauls for the minute but soon my friends :)

I happen to know there's some lovely clothes coming my way in exactly two weeks

I've also been up to my eyeballs in uni work aswell, it's deadline week next week and I've had four essays and a project to get done...PANIC!

Got a cocktail party next week so photos of my outfit to come :)

Our beautiful tree, it's real and pretty :)

Me and my gorgeous cousin at our family Christmas meal the other day

She's the most amazingest cousin I could ask for and is always there for me, I love you Kayla :)

(I know your reading this :P)

Look at the size of that yorkshire pud/roast potato! NOM NOM NOM!

Me, Granddad, and my cousins Kayla and Andy

Outfit:

Top: Topshop

Jeans: Torrid

Boots: Primark

My Mummy and one of her beautiful sisters

Need to get one of all three girlys!

And a silly picture of me in my silly hat :)

I love it, Mummy bought it for me when we went out for coffee the other day

Belle x

Christmas

I love, love, love Christmas!

It's definitely my favourite time of year.

It's not just about the presents, as the boy seems to think...

The smells, foods, seeing family ahhh I adore it!!

My family don't get together as much as we used to so around Christmas extra effort is made which makes it really special for me :)

All though I do have an rather long Christmas list consisting of lots of books and goodies....

Tiffany Bead Bracelet :)

So so pretty, shame Gavin doesn't see the point in Tiffany jewellery...

Tiffany Bead Earrings

Got to get the matching earrings of course!!

Mulberry Alexa....Never going to happen but I can dream!!!

What is everyone else hoping Santa's going to bring them ;)?

Belle x

Packing, Work and the general joys of being young...

It seems I have been neglecting my poor blog this week :(

To be quite honest it feels like once again I have no time to do anything!

I want to get some nail varnish and other make up reviews up soon especially with all my new eyeshadows, OPI varnishes and my newly established love for lipstick.

Since my birthday I've been basically doing the same old with work, gym and seeing my boyfriend. But it's been awkward to do the last thing as his parents are away for two weeks so he has to stay home, fair enough a free house but he only has a single bed and we tried an air bed....bad sleep!

I've been trying to get in as much gym time as possible at the moment with the holiday getting closer (yay!) but still feel a bit like I'm getting no where....I think it might be my diet and vow to improve it and stick with it for the next couple of weeks before we go. I have however managed to run for 10mins solid which is a huge achievement for me as I couldn't even do 1min without wanting to die 2 months ago :)

Oh that reminds me, anyone have any tips for sticking with healthy eating on a budget and when u work long, stressful shifts right next door to a MacDonalds (the devils!!)???

I started packing this week, I'm one of those people who love to pack about a month in advance! I do have a reason this time though as I'm moving out soon so there's no point in packing to unpack to then pack it again....it's so exciting to get all the pretty dresses and summery clothes out, especially with the rain at the moment...bleurgh! I'm so excited for our holiday, been writing out shopping lists and plans of attack for the malls, I'm just too awesome!

Should be hopefully moving out next week if all goes well. We bought some paint for the flat on Saturday and decided on wallpaper etc. for the living room. I managed to weedle some pink into the bedroom woop :) happy bunny!

Oooh I actually went out on Saturday night for my birthday, I'm not much of a drinker/partier so very rarely go out drinking with the friends. I prefer to stay in with the bf and chill with a film. I had an amazing time though and really enjoyed seeing some friends I haven't seen in a while :) I've also promised myself to go out more often!! Means more excuses to buy shoes :P

As from today I have roughly 6 days off from work so should be hopefully doing some reviews and posts of more interest than these 'What I've been up to...' posts :)

Just a quick OOTD from the other day

I think I was just shopping, looking for new bikinis. Was just meant to be popping into Tesco's and came out with too much! The clothes were in the sale though, the shoes weren't :/ my bad! I have a bit of a problem!

Top: New Look

Cardigan: Topshop

Skirt: Primark

Leggings: New Look

I changed the skirt a bit later to a denim one when I popped into town to nose the new additions to the Topshop sale, didn't find much just a cardi, waistcoat and strapless top. Still got £40 of vouchers left which I plan to keep until I find the right navy coat for winter in there.

I wore this then to the cinema with my Mum to see Cats and Dogs 2 :) and Inception after. I love seeing kiddie films with my Mum we're both such big kids!

I got some more MAC Pigment pots through the post and tried something a bit more adventurous for me, some colour! I think it looked alright, not too bright and in your face...

And here are some pictures from my birthday night out:

Me and my two best mates Sophie and Kat

I'm rather drunk here (the pictures aren't in order!) doing the Macarena

Me and Parijat, an old school mate I recently got back in contact with

With the besties again

A loooovely close up courtesy of the bf

Annnnd me and my boyfriend Gavin (of course pulling a funny face!)

Is anyone else already getting excited for Christmas? No? Just me then! I love it :D