Review: Elizabeth Arden Visible Difference Skin Balancing Lotion

Ahoy there, my lovelies! I am segueing back into the world of blogging after returning from my adventures overseas in the West Coast of the U-S-A, bringing back some exciting news with me as well as my usual stash of crunchy Cheetos - but that's another story for another time... 

Today's post is shining the spotlight on one of my new skincare must-haves:

The Elizabeth Arden Visible Difference Skin Balancing Lotion - Ta Dah! 

I received this sample when I attended the House of Fraser Christmas Press day, and I started using it pretty much the moment I got it in hand as I had been finding the moisturiser  I was using too heavy for my temperamental skin. Well, it was love at first swatch - from the delicious smell (like clementines) to only having to use a teensy amount to get the job done - two big plusses for a girl who spends at least 90% of her day thinking about food, and living on a beauty budget!

However, what made this attraction more than just a short lived infatuation can be noted in three points:
1) It's an oil-free lotion, resulting in keeping my combination skin well hydrated and super soft without making my face extra oily - no easy feat I can tell you (along with about 20 half empty moisturiser bottles)!
2) I love how simple it is to apply - it just glides on, soaks in, and poof! You are ready to apply make-up, no waiting around for it to soak all the way in.
3) I've saved a bit of money by being able to use this moisturiser as a 2in1 primer - It has kept my make up in place all day with minimal shininess breaking through.

This was my first try with Elizabeth Arden products, and I am impressed, so impressed I have ordered the rest of the Visible Difference for Combination Skin Starter Kit (£15 on look fantastic.com). Let's see if the rest of the products can live up to the lotion...

Love,

Stephie x

In Summer - FOTD

Hello my lovelies - my golly it's hot, isn't it?! I literally melted whilst chilling in a park in London yesterday, very much an Olaf-in-Arendelle moment (it was not as attractive on me as it is on Olaf). However, I shouldn't complain really as it is either this or downpour and I much prefer the sunshine!

Anyway, today's post is on my make-up look for this sweltering day as I headed out with my two best girls. 

 Products: Boots No7 Illuminating Instant Concealer; No7 Pressed Powder in Translucent; MAC Studio Fix Concealer; Urban Decay Eyeshadow in 'Sin'; Benefit Creme Eyeshadow in 'Bikini'; Yves Saint Laurent Le Teint Touche Eclat Foundation; Benefit High Beam; Bobbi Brown Rose Shimmerbrick; Urban Decay Naked Palette; No7 Mascara; L'Oreal Eye Kohl in Brown; Real Techniques Core Collection Brushes; Benefit Dandelion Blush.

Lipgloss - Chanel Rouge

Generally in the summertime or on holiday, I will opt for this slightly softer look using a matte brown or slightly shimmery brown eyeliner pencil rather than my usual black liquid/gel liner as it tends to stay put more in the heat of the day and can be a softer framing of the eyes. I also experimented more with my blusher - mixing my standard light pink Dandelion with the Bobbi Brown Shimmer-brick to give my cheeks a gentle highlight. I love both of these products, but I really only use the Shimmer-brick when the sun is out as I find that sometimes in the winter (without the sun to bounce off of) the shimmery colours can emphasise some imperfections on my skin. What I really love about summertime and going more for this softer eyeliner look is the more adventurous I can be with my eyeshadow. Whilst opting for my usual black eyeliner cat flick I try to stick to more simple shades so as not to deflect from the eyeliner, but in summer I can try all sorts of combinations. Today's shade was 'Sin', one of my all time favourite shades by Urban Decay, I first fell in love with it when using my 'Naked' palette (all those years ago...) and have now stored up with an individual pot. It is just the perfect mix of a neutral shade with a shimmery touch which adds a bit of Hollywood Glamour, and a great base to blend more shades into to create a variety of day/evening looks. 

Do you have a summertime look or a favourite eyeshade? Comment below to let me know!

Love,

Stephie x

House of Fraser Christmas Press Day 2014

Hello my lovelies, I hope everyone is having the chance to enjoy the sunshine at some point this week rather than just suffer the consequences of said sunshine on the central line like I did yesterday...

Today's post is focusing on the House of Fraser Christmas Press Day which I was fortunate enough to attend this week at their Head Office (via an invitation by Dani) to have a snoop around what is being offered in their Christmas collections. Let me warn thee now, there are some seriously pretty Christmassy things ahead so avert your eyes if you are not prepared to begin to get into the Christmas spirit...

Even though I already have too many Christmas decorations, I know that I am going to be adding several of these pieces to my ever expanding collection this year - I mean, who says you can ever reaaaally have too many Christmas decorations - as long as you can still sort of see the tree, right?! The Christmas decor fell into five themes: Enchanted Forest; Black Magic; High Society; Frosty; Scandi Dining. I loved elements from all of the collections (especially the cute owl and Bambi-esque decorations) but there was one particular theme that I quickly became besotted with, suitably sharing the named with one of my favourite Grace Kelly films. Within the 'High Society' collection, by Linea, absolutely everything sparkled or glittered, from floating ballerinas who literally danced on air to a ruby slipper that the Wicked Witch of the West herself would want upon her Christmas tree. The entire collection just felt magical and elegant with a touch of whimsy.

But it wasn't just Christmas decorations that were on show...

Oh the pretty things! So many pretty things! Despite the fact that it is only mid-July, I have now already begun to compile my Christmas gift list... The dresses, skirts, make-up, and accessories were just too beautiful to turn away. The dresses were designed to appeal to a wide range of styles - from floor length sequin gowns to 60s style mini dresses by a range of designers, including some new ones to be announced in September - I particularly loved some of Therapy & Dickens and Jones pieces which had a 50s feel to them with lace or floral patterns. It wasn't just the dresses that caught my eyes (that's a first) I even found myself pawing through the suits thinking how they would suit the Boy. After dragging myself away from the clothes room, I moved onto cosmetics & accessories, drawn to the displays featuring Penhaligon's Gentleman's Collection and Artemisia Eau de Parfum - I just loved their presentation with the ornate and colourful tins. On a similar thread, I loved the 'Pretty Vintage' theme with Guerlain and Creme De La Mar which was mostly dominated by soft shell pink shades and shimmer, but it was the Bobbi Brown collection above some gorgeous dresses that caught my eye. I've always loved Bobbi Brown, especially their Long-Wear Gel Liner, so it was a nice surprise to see some shimmery shades coming out for the Christmas period. 

So after mooching my way around and making a mental of note of everything I need when these items are released in September, I reluctantly left a Christmas Wonderland but not before being handed a bag of goodies by the lovely women at House of Fraser's head office.

I can't wait to start trying these products out - especially the YSL Youth Liberator Eye Cream which I have been coveting for several months now...  

Thanks House of Fraser for a lovely afternoon, and bring on Christmas 2014! To check these items out for yourself, follow the link: House of Fraser

Love,

Stephie x