Hourglass Ambient Lighting palette

All about that GLOW

Helloooo all! It's been quite a while since my last post *insert excuse about hectic uni schedule here* but what better way to unwind than blogging eh?

I've recently been intrigued with highlighters/finishing powders and their glowy power of bringing out cheekbones and seeing as I need all I can get in the cheek department, decided to check out (more like let my cousin talk me into trying it haha) the Hourglass Ambient Lighting palette.

“The days may be getting darker and the nights colder, however we’ve found the perfect way to make skin look lit from within thanks to this multitasking skin highlighting palette from Hourglass. Radiance-enhancing and illuminating, the trio of light-manipulating shades makes for the ideal winter warmer for dull-looking weather-worn complexions. Either use in place of your setting powder for an all-over glow or on brow bones, cheekbones and high points of the face for the perfect selfie-ready finish. ” – Get The Gloss

Includes three shades; Incandescent Light: an opalescent pearl powder that brightens the complexion with a celestial glow

Dim Light: a neutral peach beige powder that blurs imperfections

Radiant Light: a sun-kissed golden beige powder that adds warmth

Dim light and Radiant light can be purchased in single compacts but Incandescent light is a limited addition shade made for the palette only. They are not full on highlighters, more like finishing powders to give a smoother natural looking complexion when the light hits it from different ways.

Can't wait to try out some looks using these!

MUA Luxe Velvet lip laquers

Hello everyone!

It's been quite a while since my last post and I recently just discovered the MUA Luxe Velvet collection whilst doing a little browsing in Superdrugs in Harrow. Now I don't know how long these have been out but I haven't seen them in my local branch however I snapped up 6 because hello? Matte loveliness for just £3? Why the hell not! (Also there was a 3 for 2 offer so essentially got two free haha).

There's 10 shades in the collection and I couldn't get them all as some had sold out :(

L-R: Reckless, Kooky, Funk, A Flush, Halcyon.

Excuse the hasty swatches I was using my sisters arm and she had to leave but these do dry matte. I wouldn't say the texture is amazing as it leaves your lips quite dry if you don't prime beforehand and it is VERY hard to remove. Realistically, for £3 you can't expect them to do all amazing things however the colour pay off is really good and they are quite bright compared to how they look in the packaging. I have also just realised that I'm missing a shade it seems to have disappeared! But hopefully you like what you see and want to try them they are well worth it with this price.

Also, I would have liked to do some lip swatches to properly show how they look on but I have a nasty cold sore so not appealing when trying lip products haha! For some reason or another there's always something wrong in the lip region when I'm reviewing lip products (just realised as this happened with my last post too lol). 

Sanah xx

Lipstick favourites 2014

The new season has brought new lipstick trends and I'm excited to say it's nudes!! I love my pinks and nudes they add that something extra on a daily basis. Now of course dark lips also classically symbolise Autumn so I have included them here as favourites. I've just recently gotten brave and picked up vampy shades as my lips are small so I never really latched on to the hype but let's just say the spender in me wanted to splurge on something new ;).

    Urban Decay: Fiend

 Fiend is my absolute favourite lipstick at the moment it just makes my lips look that little bit fuller and moisturised so it's obviously not matte but there isn't huge amounts of shimmer either it's nice and creamy and is quite long wearing for me as I tend to eat my lipsticks off haha.

Urban Decay: Lovelight

 Lovelight is less creamier and more shimmery than fiend but I still like it as a day to day lipstick. It's a pale pink and works like a chapstick giving some moisture and tint.

MUA: Shade 11

I thank MUA everyday for making something a pound haha! Sometimes you just can't justify a splurge when you're a student so I snapped a couple of these right up and it is one of the best nude shades I have! It just glides on. Obviously the price tag doesn't promise it to be long wearing but for a pound I'm willing to re apply now and again.

KIKO: 918

KIKO is a brand that I don't think is talked about enough. Like MUA they are cheap as it retails at £4 and is really moisturising (again, not matte). They have a wide range of products that I need to explore some more so I shall keep you posted!

Charlotte Tilbury: Love Liberty

As much as I love a bargain, every girl needs a dose of high end to satisfy spending needs (the guilt gets wiped away after you apply it I promise!). Charlotte Tilbury products are high end hence the £23 price tag. It's from her new Matte Revolution collection and it's safe to say I will be going back for another shade. They glide on smoothly so while I wouldn't say that they're glossy, they're just aren't overly matte and drying.

MAC: Mocha

It's an oldy but a goldy, mocha was one of the first nude shades I ever got given to me by my awesome cousin (big up the girls who started off their collection with MAC haha). It was at a time I stuck to lipgloss and never ventured into the overwhelming territory of lipsticks I was that much of an eye makeup lover. Now it's my go to with a bronze look for evenings.

MUA: Shade 1

Another MUA lipstick makes the list and it is one of the more vampy shades. It looks even better when you apply a couple of coats as it gets deeper in colour so you can change the intensity of the look. This also glides on but the downside of it is that it stains so you have to be careful when applying.

Sleek: Smother

And last but not least, Sleek has made it into my favourites. It's a beautiful plum colour that would look great paired with both fresh faced or bronze look so just adding this can instantly turn your overall makeup look into something suitable for a party etc. 

Left-right: Urban Decay Lovelight, MUA shade 11,  KIKO 918, Urban Decay Fiend, MAC Mocha, Charlotte Tilbury Love Liberty, MUA shade 1, Sleek Smother.

So there we have it! My all time favourite lipsticks this year and may just overlap into the next ;). To purchase these just click the heading above each image. I'm sorry I couldn't do swatches on my lips as I'm ill and dry flaky lips aren't the best way to advertise your favourites haha.

Sanah xx

A beautiful day

August was the time the barbecues came out, water fights ensued and most excitingly, wedding bells rang!

I was honoured when I got to shoot a wedding quite a while ago on the 28th of August so I want to share a little bit of the experience with you all. Now wedding photography is no joke. You capture a couples big day and don't get the 'reshoots' that most campaigns and adverts require. Kudos to you professional wedding photographers out there! I must admit I was panicking inside haha but it was so much fun and the couple have allowed their detail shots to be blogged.

The wedding was a nice intimate affair and the bride and groom both looked amazing! Can't show their pictures for privacy and religious reasons so you will have to take my word for it ;).

Sanah xx

LFWend Catwalk Part 2

Hi everyone!

Continued from my last post, here are the last two looks that came down the catwalk at London Fashion Weekend. I loved a lot more looks from these two trends and again they are wearable for different occasions.

JUNGLE FEVER

This trend- as expected- featured an array of dark greens and browns with splashes of bright colour here and there. I love the softness of the knitwear that has been given an edgy twist with some structured leather pieces. Perfect Jungle trek wear for the stylish haha.

FAIRY TALE ENDING

This trends was my absolute favourite! I love all things girly most of the time and this trend brought out a lot of the fairy tale vibe with the lace, volume, and a nod to red riding hood with the cape which is my favourite. The dresses were so pretty I really liked the little 'bounce' that the material gave.

That was my experience wrapped up in 3 different posts I hope you all enjoyed it! This was one of the best days I've ever had and I loved going over it to share it with you :)

Sanah xx

*These images may not be used or distributed without my permission*