Travel Diaries: Uzbekistan

Hey There! Howdy! Assalom Aleykum!

Now you all know I love a bit of travelling right? So when my university (UCLan) teamed up with Tashkent Institute of Textile and Light Industry in Uzbekistan, I jumped at the chance to see a completely different part of the world. All I can say is I experienced a stunning city, wonderful people and extremely talented students! 

I'd recommend Tashkent to anyone, I'd go back if I had the chance and I can't wait to see what work our universities collaborations produce in the future.

Love

Emma Rose xxx

Bourjois Delice de Poudre Bronzer

Hey there lovelies!

I know I'm late on the chocolate flavoured bandwagon but I only tend to buy bronzers when I run out of my other one so please don't hate me! On to the review!!

I find the packaging to be a little tacky and not very sturdy at all. However I do love the little chocolate square embossing on the product, super cute!!

The smell is a very sweet chocolatey smell but not so overpowering I'm put off or feel like there's any heavy perfume that would harm my skin.

The product itself isn't all that impressive, I'm not getting the hype (sorry!). It is lovely and soft and blends well but there's just no pigmentation and really not any staying power for me. I bought it in the shade Medium so maybe I just needed a darker shade but I have to really swirl my brush around to pick up a decent amount of product. I'd say it gives a nice healthy glow to the face but it is definitely not strong enough for me to contour, paler people would find this perfect due to the matt brown shade. It's an okay product and I will continue to use it but it won't become my go-to bronzer. So gutted because I love Bourjois so much! 

You can try it for yourself at Superdrug for £7.99

Have you tried this product?

What are your thoughts?

Love

Emma Rose xxx

OOTD - A Rainy Day Outfit

Hey there lovies! 

With all the gorgeous weather we've been having this past week, the unexpected pour down on Saturday left me in a fashion dilemma. It was still warm but miserable. Here's a little outfit I put together that day, photos courtesy of my lovely boyfriend! I went for a swing dress layered over a crop tee with a simple old leather jacket and boots, easy peasy.

Jacket - Warehouse (an old favourite)

Dress - Boohoo £10 (a new favourite)

Crop T-shirt - Topshop £8

Statement necklace - Primark £12

Shoes - Ebay £20

Satchel bag - Primark £8

Umbrella - Primark £2

What's your favourite rainy day outfit?

Love

Emma Rose xxx

Life Update 2014

Hello my lovelies!

Hey guys, long time no see. Ohh I'll skip all the mushy stuff for you and just get right on into the good stuff. Sooo what is the 411, what has everybody been talking about? 

Since we last talked a lot has changed surprisingly. I have finished 2nd year of uni (thank god, fashion I love you but you cause me physical pain), got an amazing boyfriend and somehow managed to get myself a work placement next year! I have come on leaps and bounds this academic year and I am determined to keep it up, and keep it documented on this home we call the Internet. 

I don't start work until August so I decided to set myself some goals:

1. Go away somewhere in the UK, I feel like I haven't seen enough of my own country

2. Blog at least twice a week (feel free to tell me off if I'm being naughty on this one, my twitters over on your right)

3. Make my own clothes

4. Open an Etsy shop

So how have you all been?

Do you have an Summer goals?

Love

Emma Rose xxx

Blogging Break

Hello my old blogging buddies!

It's been waaaay too long but just give me a minute to explain my absence. If any of you have followed me from day 1 (over a year now…what) you will know I am a fashion design student. For any fashion design students reading this, you will understand before I even begin so you guys can get on with your merry lives. Basically I have no time for, well, anything. Therefore my wonderful little blog which I love with all my heart has had to take a back seat. Until now. I am back and more excited than ever! I will be sharing my usual weirdo self, some beauty stuff and I will be including you on my little crafty journeys! I am a fashion student after all so stay tuned for some sew-alongs and patterns. 

I would just like to say a huge thank you to everyone who has continued to follow, read and comment despite it being months since I last updated. I promise I will make it up to you!

Thank you for your patience and I'm sorry for how long it has been!

Love

Emma Rose xxx

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.

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?

 

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?

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?

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

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

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

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

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

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:

Wear Me Out

Give The Blog A Bone

Treasure Every Moment

Beauty and the Budget

Ziegfeld Girl Beauty

Lipsticks and Heels

Glamour and Grace

Lisa Takes Pictures

Oh! Leona

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

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

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

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