Tuesday 1 October 2013

Illamasqua 'Emerge' Cream Pigment Review

Hello my little muffins!

Yes I lost my Illamasqua virginity. It was difficult at first to give in but wow it felt good afterwards. Enough with the innuendos Emma...just get on with the review...sorry.




I have moaned and complained numerous times about my horrific dark circles under my eyes and have been desperate to try an orange-toned concealer to cancel this out. (Remember colour wheels in school art classes?) I know MAC is supposed to do an amazing one but I decided to finally bite the Illamasqua bullet.




Firstly, packaging. I love the quirky little shape to this and the sleek black lid. For a potted concealer (as opposed to a tube) there is actually quite a lot of product in this and I love how the bottom is clear so I know exactly what I'm taking out the drawer.




The texture is quite hard but goes incredibly creamy once worked slightly. However, the pigmentation is insane on this so the tiniest amount goes a long way! 

I layer this underneath my usual Collection Lasting Perfection concealer (sometimes a tiny bit over the top aswell if things are looking incredibly bad under there) and set with a bit of powder. It lasts pretty much all day with no creases and counteracts all my gross bluey tones fantastically!

I know £17.50 is a bit of a steep price tag but I've been using this looooads and have barely made a dent so it will last a long time. Plus you are paying for a high quality, pretty specific product. Personally, it's a must.

You can find Emerge here.


Wednesday 25 September 2013

Wine? Check!

Hello my little muffins!

This week has been hectic. Moving back to uni, moving in with new people, freshers week blah blah. I have been out a lot this week so I thought I'd share my favourite outfit from my nights out.



Top - H&M £12.99
Skirt - H&M £14.99
Shoes - Topshop £40
Bag - Primark
Necklace - Primark £12

What do you guys think?

 

Friday 13 September 2013

Fear

Hello my little muffins!

I know I've already posted today, I was all organised and had it scheduled a few days ago but I've been in an odd mood the last few days. Rather than bottle it all up I decided to write about it...and post it on the Internet...like a normal person. Bloggers logic!

Today I'm going to talk about something that I've not really seen much on this here blogosphere we call home. Fear. I apologise how truly awfully cheesy this post will be.

I'm not talking about being squealy when a spider runs across the bathtub or (if you're me) passing out when someone cuts themselves. I'm talking about the sort of gut-wrenching, panic-inducing, heart-racing kind of fear that plagues us all at one time or another. Sometimes it's serious things that create this kind of fear, sometimes it's just a little thing that completely freaks you out.



For me, it's been something that has been building all summer and has just taken over the last few days. 
The fear I'm not doing the right thing with my life.

It almost makes me feel silly to think this way. I am so driven and passionate about the fashion industry and have been from a young age so why should this fear even cross my mind? I work hard, I get good grades on a course I love and I surround myself with the industry I couldn't live without. It's the future that terrifies me. I know I want to be a designer but at the same time I love doing this. Writing, photographing, blogging. Can I fit both into my life and be successful? I don't even know what sort of designer I want to be yet, I have a few more years to go of my degree but I have to do a work placement next year and I couldn't even begin to come up with a brand I want to work for. I feel like time is ticking away all too fast.

So what do I do with these fears? Am I not meant to admit to them? Do I learn from them or let them consume me? I have no clue! Sometimes we can 'grow some balls' and just push past them; but sometimes there are days when we just can't. And there's nothing wrong or abnormal about that. Fear is one of the most powerful emotions we have as human beings, it's what we do with it that counts.

OOTD - Leather and Jeans, Garage Glamorous

Hello my little muffins!

Despite the weird weather the North West is experiencing the last couple of days (rain one minute then sun the next? Just decide!) I did want to share with you my favourite outfit from this week.



This top is super cute, the leather sleeves and collar give it a bit of an edge (I'm loving the punky grungy influences in the upcoming seasons trends) and the wine colour makes it a little bit brighter. I have a longer body and short legs so finding tops which come to a nice length on me is really difficult but I really like the length on this and how it goes slightly longer at the back.

I just put this on with my gap skinny jeans and my favourite DM shoes! Comfy, girly grunge! Teamed with a smudgy eye and a sheer colour on the lip, I think this is my favourite look for the current weather.


Top - Primark £10
Jeans - Gap £30
Shoes - Dr Martens £85

What do you think?


Wednesday 11 September 2013

Sleek Face Form Kit Review

Hello my little muffins!

I have a very round face. And a big head. Problematic. I struggle to find contour bronzers to suit me because they're either really orange or muddy. I have lusted over Sleeks contour kit for aaages and finally decided to take the plunge.

What I didn't realise was that they do a Face Form Kit which includes their infamous Rose Gold blush (in the fair/light kits) and it works out cheaper to buy this than the contour kit and blush separately. Woo student logic!!



The packaging is usual Sleek: simple, sturdy and chic. It does tend to get a little dirty but I can forgive that for how sturdy and well-sized they are. You get a good sized mirror in there too so it is pretty much handbag perfect.



The kit includes a bronzer, highlight and blush. All 3 are so super soft and pigmented it is crazzzy. Their colour choices are really great too, the bronzer is a subtle matte brown which blends nicely so you don't get a weird stripey effect and actually looks good on my skin. The highlight is my least favourite of the 3; it is a little bit too subtle but if you layer it you start to just look sparkly. I like it but I do prefer my MUA highlight. The blush is so beautiful though, you need an incredibly light hand to apply the gold-flecked peachy pink colour and it just gives a healthy glow to the cheeks. 

This lasts all day easy and is amazing value for money. You can get it here for a steal at £9.99! 

Have you tried this product?


Friday 6 September 2013

Revlon Nail Enamel 'Seductive' Review

Hello my little muffins!

I have been harping on about berry tones for a while now, they are perfect for the A/W season and I just feel like they suit me really well. I've been sticking them on my eyes and lips so why not nails too?



In the bottle this looks so gorgeous, really vampy and dark. Now I'm not usually one for negativity but I always promise honesty. I love Revlon nail varnishes, I have TONS and I've never had a problem with them. However, this shade is so disappointing it brought me down from my mega purple high.


I found it really thin in formula, meaning it took a good 3 coats to get it opaque and even then I've been left with streaky nails. Sad sad Emma. Also, the brush seems so much thinner than normal so it took forever to paint my nails. Noone wants that Revlon!

Having said that, I do still love the colour itself I just maybe need to go on the hunt for a better one. Also, it actually lasted around 5 days without chipping. Nice one!

Have you tried Revlon polishes?

Loves xxx

Wednesday 4 September 2013

August Empties

Hello my little muffins!

There have only been a handful of products I've used up this month (other than toothpaste but who wants to see my empty toothpaste tube?) but I have really enjoyed using these products and I am sad to see them go.



1. Along Came Betty Clean Around the Clock (full review here)

This has taken me aages to use up, I've loved it so much I've been savouring it! It smells so invigorating and fresh it wakes me up of a morning....a tough task I must say. Plus it really hydrates my skin so I have baby soft skin mmm.

2. Toni & Guy Salt Spray

I have repurchased this a few times, I really like the smell and the hold it gives on the texture it gives. Not much more I can say really, it's a nice product but nothing exciting.

3. Crazy Colour Bleaching Kit

This has by far been the best bleaching kit I've used to create my ombre hair. It is really strong so I get a nice light blonde without the brassiness, plus it hasn't done as much damage to my hair as most kits I've tried. I will be using this for my next dye attempt!

4. Revlon Lip Butter in 'Tutti Fruitti'

Oh I'm so sad to see this go! I love the bright orange colour and lip butters are my fave!

5. Benefit Fake Up (full review here)

I have loved this, I found it really hydrating on my eye area and did brighten it but I think the price tag is a little steep for the actual product so I won't be repurchasing :(

Loves xxx


Tuesday 3 September 2013

August Beauty Favourites

Hello my little muffins!


August has been a lovely month, holidays and trips have happened plus I've been getting ready to go back to uni (woo!).  I haven't tried a huge amount of new products but the few products I have been using I have ADORED.



1. Bumble and Bumble thickening hairspray

This has been amazing! I got it free in this month's Elle magazine and have not stopped using this. It really thickens and boots volume as a pre-drying treatment and hold my curls great as a hairspray.



2. Jack Wills rollerball perfume

I love these rollerballs, they are sturdy and a great handbag size. This fragrance smells really floral and slightly musky but it lasts aaaages! It has been permanently in my bag this month.



3. MUA lip liner in 'Red Drama' with 1D Lipstick in Harry's shade 'Be Mine' (full review here)

I love this combo, it is really bright and such a beautiful red. The liner makes the lipstick last a little bit longer too! I'm loving red at the moment so this is a great cheap and cheerful colour I keep reaching for.



4. MUA pearl eyeshadow in shade 12

This reminds me of MACs 'Club' shadow, I really love the green smoky shimmer and how it blends out to a pretty brown colour. I've been using this a lot because there's no need for definition shades (in the crease etc) because it blends out to different colours. 



5. Always Infinity Pads

Apologies if there are any guys reading buuut periods are vile. They are uncomfortable and painful blah blah blah. Anything that makes it slightly more comfortable is just amazing for us girlies! These pads are weird but they are so comfortable I barely feel them! I am converted.

What are your August favourites?

Loves xxx

Friday 30 August 2013

One Direction 'Kiss You' Collection Review

Hello my little muffins!

Yes I admit, I gave into the hype. Anything with those specimens of male perfection just makes me all giddy. Boys if you've gone mad and decided to read a beauty blog, I'm single!

I only bought Harry's and Zayn's shades...for the moment anyway. They are £3 from Superdrug in the MUA sections.

I must admit I have been loving these lipsticks, I didn't think they'd be that great of a product I just thought they'd be a gimmick. Despite the less-than-average plastic packaging (although the signed bullets are cool) that is blatantly aimed at their younger fanbase, the product has exceeded all expectations.





Let's start with my favourite of the two, Harry's shade 'Be Mine'. It is a deep blue-toned red which almost has a slight bluey sheen to it. I have found that this really suits my skin tone and does wonders to make my teeth look SUPER white. The formula is incredibly creamy so it glides on lovely, however I did find there is a lot of transfer...well...everywhere so don't wear white! It has amazing pigmentation, a lot more than I expected and it lasts around 3-4 hours. Acceptable no? Lovely jubbly.





I love Zayn's shade 'I Wish' so much too but just haven't worn it as much. It is a bright blue-toned pink which glides on so buttery and smooth. The lasting time isn't as good as Harry's shade but the pigmentation is amazing and the colour is lovely. 

Have you tried these products?

Loves xxx

Tuesday 27 August 2013

OOTD | Nautical Frills and Spills



I love this dress. This is officially the biggest bargain ever! The Liverpool branch of Republic was having a closing down sale so I picked this pretty baby up for £5. I was so excited I bought it in blue too. It's quite thick so it'll do me right through Autumn.

I love this slightly smocky shape too, it's super flattering on my bottom-heavy shape and makes me feel like I should be skipping around like a fairy. (I'm normal I swear.)

My brother thinks my frilly ankle socks make me look like an overgrown child but I could not care less! I think they're so pretty over my tough studded boots. 

Dress - Republic £5
Frilly ankle socks - Primark £1.50
Studded chelsea boots - Boohoo £15

What do you think?

Loves xxx

Friday 23 August 2013

Liebster Blog Award

Hello my little muffins! I have been nominated for 2 Liebster awards in the last couple of weeks! :O So rather than do more than 1 post, I've decided to combine the 2. Hope that's okay ladies! So this will be a bit of a wordy post, read on if you're ready. 

Thank you so much to both Nicola and Nikki for acknowledging my little ramblings, I love this award it's a real boost from one blogger to another and sometimes we just need this.

The rules:
Name 10 facts about yourself
Answer your 10 questions set by your tagger
Set 10 questions for your nominees
Nominate 10 bloggers with 200 followers or less

10 facts about myself:


1. I am about to enter my second year of my fashion design degree at UCLan.

2. I've actually been at uni 2 years already due to studying my art foundation at uni (something I highly recommend).

3. My favourite colour is orange.

4. I am addicted to red lipstick.

5. I am addicted to anything with a collar.

6. My bum has it's own name...Nicki (as in Minaj, yeh I have normal friends).

7. I get ill so easy, I think I have no immune system. 

8. I'm allergic to PPD in hair dye.

9. I hate having poker straight hair, I ALWAYS have to have something messy or textured if not curly.

10. I have really disproportionately short legs.


Nicola's Questions:



1. What made you want to start blogging?
It sounds cheesy but I'm so incredibly passionate about fashion and beauty that I just wanted a little space of my own to talk about and share this with like-minded people. 

2. What's your number 1 beauty product? 
My Bourjois Healthy Mix foundation, nothing will stop me using this bad boy.

4. Favourite make-up brand?
I'm really loving Sleek at the moment.

5. What's the weirdest or most unusual beauty tip you know?
The old toothpaste on the spots is so weird...it's never actually worked for me but I understand the concept.

6. Do you have anything natural or DIY in your beauty routine? If so, what? Coconut oil is my current favourite.
Nope not at the moment. Bad beauty blogger.

7. What's your favourite book? 
Oh dear I have so many! Little Women is one I read as a child and have reread so many times and enjoyed it just as much throughout my teens. Harry Potter is also a firm favourite (duh).

8. If you were on Come Dine With Me, what would you cook? 
Chilli. Hands down.

9. How many pairs of shoes do you own? 
Around 20? 30 maybe at a push? I've never counted!

10. Dream job (again, could be anything)?
Having my own label.

11. If you could go anywhere in the world on holiday, where would you go and why?
The Maldives, it is literally magical. 


Nikki's Questions:


1. Do you sleep with a teddy or a blanky? If so, what is its name?
I don't sleep with them anymore but they are still in my room; I have a destroyed Teddy called Duffy and a rabbit called Hippy.

2. Favorite hot beverage?

Tea, so easily pleased.

3. Your favorite thing about yourself?

My hair? 

4. How do you stay inspired? 

I am so focused on being as successful as I can be, my dreams keep me motivated. If not, just being in a creative atmosphere (uni studios usually) helps inspire me.

5. Mac or Windows?

Mac.

6. Favorite color?

Orange.

7. Pinterest or Tumblr?

Pinterest.

8. If you could meet one person (dead or alive) who would it be?

Lady Gaga of course!

9. Favorite blog?

The Sunday Girl or Tales of a Pale Face.

10. Most embarrassing story from your childhood?

I have lots, I was always naked apparently.


My Questions:

1. Why did you start blogging?
2. What are your main goals in life?
3. What is the one beauty product you cannot live without?
4. Do you have a religious beauty regime or are you (like me) quite lazy?
5. What is the one beauty product you wish you'd never bought?
6. What is your favourite beauty brand?
7. Are you someone who follows the trends or do you have your own style (both in fashion and beauty)?
8. Name your fashion staple. (For me, it's a good fitting flattering pair of jeans.)
9. What is your biggest fashion disaster?
10. What is your fashion bargain this season? 

My nominations:


Thursday 22 August 2013

How Much Does Your Face Cost Tag

I've seen this tag floating around on numerous blogs and it got me thinking, I am a student and should really prioritise food over my face but somehow my face always wins. 

I do tend to stick to drugstore products for everyday though so hopefully this won't go too bad?

Face:
Nivea Mattifying Moisturiser - £3.99
Bourjois Healthy Mix foundation - £9.99
Rimmel Stay Matte Powder - £3.99
Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer - £4.19
Natural Collection Bronzer - £1.99
Bourjois Cream Blush - £7.99
MUA Undress Your Skin Highlighter - £3

Eyes:
MUA Pro-Base Eye Primer - £2.50
MUA Glamour Days Palette - £4
Maybelline Colour Tattoo (Pomegranate) - £4.99
Maybelline Gel Eyeliner - £7.99
Collection Mascara - £4.99

Lips:
Balmi Mint Lip Balm - £4.99
Topshop Lipstick 'Whimsical' - £8

Brushes:
Real Techniques Core Collection - £21.99
Barry M blending brush - £2
Superdrug eyeshadow brush - £2
Barry M eyeliner brush - £2

Total: £100.59 

Ohhhhh dear. I am a bad person. I'm going to curl up in a ball and reassess my life.

I tag everyone to do the same! It's such an eye-opener!
Plus I didn't realise how many products I use on a daily basis until I wrote them all down.

Loves xxx

Sunday 18 August 2013

My Beauty Hates

Hello my little muffins! 

Today I'm just in one of those ranty moods. When there isn't actually anything wrong but everything is irritating me to the point of turning hulk-like. So what better way to harness this energy than to share it with you! (Plus list-making is a bit of an obsession of mine.)

10 things I hate about beauty products. Or application. Or beauty in general. I got a bit carried away.

10. Products that cause breakouts. You've got all excited, handed over the cash and skipped merrily home with your new moisturiser or mask or whatever. So lets try it.....oh wait it HATES your skin and you wake up with an influx of sexy spots. Goodbye money!

9. Moisturiser that takes forever to sink in. Now I know companies are always trying to combat this but not many really crack it. I love putting body cream on in the morning and most of the time I end up having to stand around attempting to dry before putting on my clothes. Grr.

8. Fake nails. I don't get why people even bother! They just destroy your real nails underneath! Someone make me understand :(

7. Eyeshadow fallout. This doesn't happen with every brand but quite a lot of the time you spend ages doing your face all pretty and then realise half your eyeshadows down your perfectly powdered cheek. Good look that one Em.

6. Eyebrows that are never symmetrical. This irritates me no end. I know noone can ever have perfectly symmetrical eyebrows but come on! They're both on the same face why is it so hard to get them the same!

5. Eyeliner wings that are never symmetrical. I seem to spend most of my mornings trying to get my eyeliner wings the same. It. Never. Happens. Ever. 

4. Gloopy nail varnish. Sometimes they're bought that way, sometimes they just change. Either way it makes application SO hard. Sort it out beauty companies!

3. Squishing your favourite lipstick. I know this has happened to all of us at some point. You take your lippie out in your bag and it gets so warm it melts and smushes. OR you are an idiot like me and miss when trying to put the lid back on...goodbye half a bullet.

2. Fake tan. Just in general. It either does absolutely NADA orrrrr you look like a wotsit. Even if you get a nice colour theres always that one patch you've missed or streaked. Yummy. 

1. Sneezing just after mascara application. Why does this happen?! Particularly if the mascara you've handed over your hard-earned money for is a stupidly wet formula anyway so you just end up looking like you've smushed spiders over your face.

Anyway, I hope you had a bit of a giggle. Let me know if you agree/disagree! 

What are YOUR beauty pet hates?

Loves xxx

Wednesday 14 August 2013

Holiday Beauty Favourites


Along Came Betty Prime of Your Life
See full review here. I am so in love with this primer! It works like a charm and makes my face all glowy. Hit methinks.

Garnier BB Cream
I have tried sooooo many BB creams and this is the only one I've got on with. It's light, creamy and hydrating and gives just enough coverage to hide any redness but lets my tan shine through.

Superdrug Face Masks
I took a few different ones away with me, for 99p you can't exactly moan. I chose refreshing and deep cleaning ones to attempt to combat the oil build up I suffer from in the sun.

Maybelline Colour Tattoo in Pomegranate

This is my new love! Noone can be bothered with full make up on holiday but a sweep of this with a flick of mascara and I was good to go. Plus it stays put in the heat. This colour makes my brown eyes pop and looked great with a tan.

Toni & Guy Salt Spray
I have repurchased this a couple of times, I love the ease of it and the smell. It gives me texture without the frizz so I can attempt to look somewhat normal.

Guerlain Aqua Allegoria Herba Fresca
This smells like lime and mint and freshness and holidays and um amazing. I love this! So light and refreshing and it does stay on for hours even in the heat.

What are your holiday favourites?

Loves xxx

Tuesday 13 August 2013

Wear More Colour on Facebook!

Yaaaaayyyy! If you follow me on twitter you will know I've been hinting at a new way to keep updated on my mad ramblings. And here it is! Wear More Colour facebook page has now arrived!

Go to facebook.com/wearmorecolour to join in the fun.



I'd also love for people to send me their links (facebook, twitter, blog etc) on there and comment if you've tried any of the products I've reviewed on here!

Loves xxx

Monday 12 August 2013

Lilac Aztec Nails Tutorial | NOTD

Today I'm doing something a little different for you guys, I've been messing around with my mum's nail art bits and pieces and thought I'd share with you a super easy aztec nail art tutorial. This took all of 20 mins, I'd never sit for longer than that anyway I get faaarr too fidgety so I wanted something really quick and easy.

I am using Sally Hansen's Dual Base and Top Coat, Barry M Gelly Nail Paint in 'Prickly Pear' and some nail art pens/brush tools. Barry M's nail art pens are also amazing for this if you want something even easier to have a go at. 


I always start with a base coat, it helps strengthen your nails and stop staining. Also, I feel like it makes my polish stay on longer but I've got no clue if this is a load of rubbish or not! I always swear by Sally Hansen for all treatments, base/top coats and strengthening polishes!

Then I applied 2 coats of my prickly pear varnish. I love these more than life itself. They go on a dream, last for ages due to the gel consistency and are so shiny. Plus the £3.99 price tag makes my bank account breathe a sigh of relief.


I decided to just stick to my ring fingers as I feel like maybe the black could look a little too much, plus I couldn't sit still long enough to concentrate on doing each nail perfectly! I started with 2 white stripes (on thin and one thick) using the striping brush part of my nail art pens. I found moving my nail aswell as the brush helped with getting a much smoother line.


Then I took the black striping brush and added a few details, again moving both hands around to get the smoothest lines. I also found that only picking up a tiny amount of polish each time, even if it meant going over the lines a couple of times helped me get straighter lines. 


I finished off by cleaning up my fingers with a cotton bud dipped in nail varnish remover and a nice top coat. (A small tip from my mummy: when doing your topcoat, finish each nail by doing a last sweep of polish over the tips as if you are doing a french tip. This seals the ends and helps with chipping.)


Unless you are amazing, nothing is going to be perfect! I really like the way it turned out and was surprised how easy it was. I have shaky hands so if I can do it, literally ANYBODY can.

Have you tried nail art? If you have, send me links or tweet me pictures! @WearMoreColour

Loves xxx

Friday 2 August 2013

The Difference Our Slap Makes

Now I have no clue where I stumbled on a picture of someone baring a half naked face (if anyone can enlighten me please let me know!!) but I was so shocked at the difference our make up makes I wanted to see for myself.

When I'm doing my make up, I'm concentrating so much on what I want it to end up like that I don't actually pay attention to what I look like 'before and after' so to speak.

So today...just for you guys...I am going face naked on the Internet. Well half anyway. So you can see how weird the contrast is. I used my usual, everyday neutral make up.



This has also made me see which products I like more than others haha! Plus I really need my eyebrows plucking, the sun just makes them grow like cavemens brows. Also, the sun has made my foundation a touch too light, something I haven't seen as much until this photo.




So after that ordeal, I challenge ALL OF YOU to do the same! Link your posts down below! It really is shocking how much we change ourselves just in the space of 10/15 minutes every morning. (Mainly my black circles and non-descript face shape.) 

Loves xxx

Thursday 25 July 2013

Mid-Year Life Assessment

Now I know this isn't exactly halfway through the year but I was inspired by reading Zoella's latest post and, considering my already reflective mood, decided to follow suit.

The name of this blog doesn't just symbolise my need to inject colour into my wardrobe, it symbolises my need to inject colour into my entire life. To push myself to do new things and strive to be the happiest and best person I can be. 

Over the last 6/7 months I feel like I have done just that. Grabbing life by the balls and not giving a crap about what other people might say. 

This has been a slow process though, over the last couple of years really I have been trying to be a better judge of character in an attempt to surround myself with good, caring people. I found myself surrounded by people who didn't have as much time for me as I did for them, they made me desperately unhappy and putting a stop to that made me feel like I was taking back some of the control I felt I'd lost.

This year, these feelings started to creep back again so these past few months I have started this process all over again. I give a lot to my friendships and relationships; having people around you that at least give a rats arse about you is something I think everyone deserves. It may surprise you that you actually can CHOOSE your friends, you aren't obliged to do anything. 

This has resulted in (now I'm home from uni and all my friends are scattered across the country) me being alone a lot of the time. However, it makes me appreciate my true friends all the more and makes me appreciate all the time I get to spend with them.

I have pushed myself to do new things this year, I have been travelling for one! It scared the living daylights out of me but I managed to do it, and I met some incredible people. You can see my post here. I have driven long distance, joined a gym, dyed my hair wonderous colours and generally just smiled more.

As for actually wearing more colour, I think you guys can judge that! All my hauls and lookbooks and OOTD posts seem to be getting brighter and crazier by the minute! Maybe its how happy I'm feeling right now that is coming out in my personal style, or maybe I am just going round the bend.

You can check out my new years resolutions post here.

Loves xxx