Friday 14 August 2015

Urban Decay Naked Smoky: sharing is caring

Obviously I'm not the only one who is obsessed with Urban Decay's latest palette to hit the shelves, Naked Smoky, and I was ecstatic when it came back in stock on their website! So to test it out, one of my friends, Katie, came over to be my guinea pig so I could try out some of the fab colours on her. 




She told me she usually sticks to brown tones but hasn't really done a smoky eye with those hues before so I thought I'd give it a shot. 

Using the real techniques deluxe crease brush I used the shade thirteen and blended it onto the brow bone to create a highlight for the look. I then applied combust from the brow bone and into the crease as a transition shade for the smoky eye. To highlight the inner corner of the eye, I used the blending brush from the Naked palette with high, and blended dirtysweet into it and over the rest of the eyelid with the real techniques base shadow brush, blending out the edges. Next I applied radar onto the outer corner and into the crease, blending it out to create a softer edge with the deluxe crease brush, then using the blending brush in the palette, used whisky to deepen the colour in the crease and blended it outwards. I then added a touch of black from a Dior palette to the top lash line to define the eye slightly and my Diorshow mascara (which is the best mascara I've EVER used). 

And that was it, so by using thirteen, combust, high, dirtysweet, radar and whisky I created a look which could be worn day or night, depending on eyeliner etc.





These are the products I used to create the rest of the look: 

A rimmel bronzer to add contour using the real techniques contour brush, 

Urban Decay's Naked Illuminated to highlight above the cheekbones, bridge of the nose, cupids bow and forehead using the real techniques sculpting brush, 

MAC cremesheen lipstick in Creme cup with a Maybelline lipliner in Velvet Beige underneath (not photographed).

I hope you enjoyed this post,  thanks for reading!

Em

Wednesday 20 May 2015

Concept Magazine

Just a quick post, wanting to show off a 20 page magazine I made for a uni module last semester, pretty proud of it to be honest! With amazing modelling from my friend Mina, who I couldn't have got it done without!












Let me know what you think!
Em

Saturday 2 May 2015

Twenties Girl

I figured I'm twenty now, I should probably face my blog. Even though I've had shit loads of uni work bogging me down, I don't know why I haven't posted, because blogging is pretty good procrastination (hence me writing this post when I should be writing that research project that's due in two weeks). But hey ho, I need to start writing again, so I'm going to do my best! And what better time to start than after my twentieth birthday?

I'm not going to lie, getting older scares me half to death, I finish uni next year, will have to find a job, and I struggle to find the will to get out of bed in the morning. I dread 9am starts, and when I start working they'll be everyday *cries*. Basically, I just want to be a student forever. 

Speaking of which, I've just celebrated my first birthday away from home. It really sucked not being able to see my Mum, but we did Face time while I opened my presents so it was all good. But seriously, a uni birthday is pretty sick, especially when it's on a Friday when you have a lecture free day.

So the standard food of Sunderland is probably Revs, Nandos, Spoons or Frankies, but on your birthday you want something a little more special, right? So I spied this cute little Italian restaurant tucked away and thought it'd be worth a go. Three courses for about £13.95, you literally can't go wrong really. And it definitely didn't. I mean look...



Located on Norfolk Street in Sunderland, Angelo's looks adorable all tucked away
A starter of fresh mozzarella covered in breadcrumbs, deep-fried and served with a tomato sauce & pesto.
A main with thin ribbons of pasta with smoked bacon, cream, eggs and Parmesan cheese.
And a beautiful dessert of strawberry cheesecake served with fresh cream a chocolate powder.
Honestly, I thought I'd stepped into Master chef, I mean, look at that presentation! Got to love a pretty plate that's worth Instagramming, right? And I can absolutely guarantee you, it tastes as good as it looks. So if you're in the Sunderland area give it a shout!

In typical student style, we obviously all went out and got a little drunk, AKA smashed, but it is only your birthday once a year after all.


Thanks for reading, 
Em

Wednesday 29 April 2015

Tom Ford Eye Colour Quad Review

We all know Tom Ford is known for luxury, and when the makeup range came along I think every girl obsessed by cosmetics screamed a little in delight (unless that’s just me?). With New Year just around the corner it seemed the perfect time to try out the eye colour quad with its mix of shimmery and glitter filled shades perfect for the festive season. I chose the 02 Cognac Sable palette out of a choice of nine quads in pretty much every colour you can think of, pricing at a hefty £63 ready to see if the price matched the product.

First off, the packaging is stunning. The palette is protected by a chocolate brown suede dust bag; yes a dust bag for four eye shadows, fancy. Inside the matching mirrored case with a gold end and get this, the case is magnetic, no more faffing around wondering how to snap open a case. This bad boy opens in a smooth, fault-free movement to reveal the shades inside. The compact contains four different eye shadows; a highlighter, two colours and a pure glitter eye shadow as well as two applicators and a mirror.
The product feels so soft against the skin you can tell it’s pricy and just a small amount brings out the most pigmented colour, meaning if used wisely will last a long time – hopefully making that price tag seem a little less scary. Having just the one glitter colour seems to be popular with a lot of palettes because it makes them wearable for everyday as well as for a night out. Although the other colours aren’t matte, they still have a shimmer, if not applied too thickly they work well for a day time look. They all have a coppery tone to them, perfect for the a/w season and they have been chosen to blend well together. Also, after wearing the eye shadow all day it still looks as it did when applied so fading doesn’t need to be a worry either.


I think it’s obvious I’m a fan of the product, but at £63 it is definitely a luxury buy which some people just wouldn't want to fork out on. You’re definitely paying as much for the brand as you are the product, for me it’s worth it, but there’s definitely competitors out there like the Mac pigments which are similar products for half the price.







Thanks for reading,
Em

Thursday 15 January 2015

A Dramatic Start to 2015

While my New Year was absolutely fab; spent on a rooftop bar watching the fireworks over Nottingham with one one my bestest gals, I can't say the other fourteen days of 2015 have been all that great so far.


Rooftop bar fireworks welcoming in 2015

Me and Em (one of my bestest gals) came back to Sunderland on the Saturday after New Year so of course we had to go out that night to 'celebrate' being back (an excuse to get pissed, obvs) before uni started again. A good night until I got smacked one right in the face. I kid you not, some absolute wanker, a guy, not even a girl punched me in the face on a night out. I'd say I stuck it out pretty well. I mean, I managed not to fall over and didn't start crying until after I'd been directed off the dance floor, he wasn't getting that satisfaction, or maybe it was just the fact I was shocked... I just didn't think boys would even think about hitting a girl?! Especially in the face, the black eye was not fab, but I did manage to cover it up successfully. Thank God. But yeah, all I did was call him an arse hole for spilling my friend's drink all over her, I didn't realise boys were so touchy these days. Call me an arse hole back maybe, or tell me to piss off; DO NOT HIT A GIRL. I think it's disgusting. He did get his, mind. He's been arrested and I might have to go to court eep:( But he definitely needs to learn some manners. And he obviously can't punch for shit because I'm fine... I would be hibernating in my room if I'd got a broken nose or lost teeth. Oh, and did I mention I lost my ID too, it was such a great night! 


And on top of police interviews and having a black eye, I've had essays to hand in and exams to revise for, the joys. Next week they're all over though and I can get back to having a normal social life and hopefully blogging a lot more. 


Love, Em

Saturday 27 December 2014

Scribbles about Christmas

First off, Merry Christmas to everyone! I hope it's been fab and you all got what you wanted! This year was our first Christmas without my brother at home, so it was a little strange, opening presents on Christmas Day on my own (we usually have a sofa each full of presents) and only setting three places at the table although that meant more Turkey for us, and pigs in blankets; heaven. But him and his fiancée made it to the family do on Boxing Day which is always good fun.


Mum and me on Christmas Day (pre Turkey)
Dress & Boots, Asos; Jacket, River Island; Necklace, Topshop.

I've been absent on my blog since, well, summer (oops) and I think it's high time I got back into it. I don't know whether I lost motivation or just struggled fitting blogging in with uni life, but the new year is coming in and I'm determined to get off my backside and get back on the blogging train.


Speaking of New Year, I'm so excited, I actually have plans for once AKA miracle. My house mate and I (she's also called Em, different story) wanted to do something together and we thought Manchester because my brother lives there and it'd be better to already have somewhere to stay than pay the extortionate prices that new year brings with it, but that plan failed when Aaron said no, awks. We'd be too loud, apparently... Anyway, Em lives in Nottingham so we're going to go out there instead. Now I just have to figure out what to wear. I mean, I got a few bits for Christmas I could wear but it's deciding which, and I got some River Island metallic snakeskin heels which I adore, but for walking round Nottingham on new year? Maybe not.





My favourite present, my Olivia Burton watch.

Don't even get me started on Boxing Day sales either, there's no chance there. I'm a calm shopper, I like to walk around browsing, not having to worry that the fluffy clutch I just saw is going to get snatched away by some manic shopper. I don't get what comes over some people, it's just been Christmas and you're already shopping again? Who's got the money for that shit after Christmas anyway? And it's just a bit greedy if you ask me. Don't get me wrong, I understand if there's something you've been waiting to get in the sales if it was too expensive or whatever, but I'm sure shops just put the same tat out for every sale hoping some desperate shopper will think it's a bargain. But that might just be me. I'll give the sales shopping a browse online, but I could never handle physically shopping in the madness. Shopping is my favourite sport, but I'm not competitive about it, I just want pretty clothes.





Brigg, a town near me. 
Emooking very festive on Christmas Eve Eve.



Thanks for reading
Em

Friday 11 July 2014

White Stripes

First of all no mirror pictures in sight, wooo! It was Mums day off today, so I persuaded her to take some pictures for a change. Turns out, she loved it! 'Why don't you jump?' 'Look, go over to that tree!' 'Ooh sit there.' Watch out Demarchelier, Jo's coming for ya! 

This outfit defines summer to me. Especially with Wimbledon just finishing and white being my go-to colour this summer. The midi length on my A-line skirt is definitely out of my comfort zone - even though I'm more covered up than normal, I feel practically naked! Weird, I know. But when you get used to a certain length suiting you, it's difficult to branch out. However, I've loved these skirts since I first saw them featured in fashion week, just never thought it'd suit me, and here we are! I like the white paired with a stripy crop as it adds a splash of colour but keeps it fresh and casual, while my trusty red satchel keeps the outfit patriotic with red, white and blue.








Crop top; Zara. Skirt; Matalan. Necklace; Topshop. Shoes; Topshop. Bag; Topshop.

Love, Em

Friday 4 July 2014

Spring going on Summer


Summer is upon us, but I'm not quite ready to give up spring and all the chalky tones that came with it. Despite my hatred for wine, I love the ideal of sitting in the afternoon sun drinking Rose' with friends, laughing about anything and everything. And this is the style I'd want to do it in. I'm in love with the Zara coat on the left I NEED IT and I adore the Olivia Burton watches, they're just so elegant and beautiful! But as much as I love a bit of elegance, some ugly shoe needs to be put in the mix, however. These cleated sole sandals from River Island have been on my mind ever since I saw them in the Metrocentre in nude. Maybe one day they'll be in my life.. 

Basically I want to be Audrey Hepburn living in Downton Abbey in clumpy shoes - that'll happen; right??

Love, Em

Tuesday 1 July 2014

Style Divergent: Does our style change with age?

meangirls

With the recent popularity of Divergent, Emma Strawbridge gives Fashion North an insight into some of the reasons we wear what we wear and how our style changes.
So you’ve heard of Divergent. Veronica Roth’s book-come-film everyone’s dubbing the next Hunger Games. For those who aren’t aware of the hit (and if not, why not?), it’s the first in a trilogy of books by author Veronica Roth. Set in a dystopian Chicago, society is separated into five factions; Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent). Every year, all 16 year-olds have to decide which faction they want to belong to for the rest of their lives. The main character, Trish, has a bit of trouble deciding, discovering she’s what they call divergent. In other words, not good.
These factions, I thought, were much like the group pressures we face throughout our whole lives. When we’re born we can’t help what clothes are put on our back; that’s our parents’ decision. Then there’s secondary school, where most of us want to fit in so we don’t get bullied. This resulted in me spending my school years trying to straighten stubborn curly hair and forcing my natural centre parting into a horrendous comb-overesque fringe.
But at around the 16 mark, just like Trish, we leave school and start to develop who we want to be, and how we want other people to view us; whether that’s on the inside or out. Albeit, Trish has to endure treacherous tasks and put herself in constant danger to get to where she wants to be, but it is this notion that made me think.
How much does our style change as we get older, and why? I wouldn’t be caught dead with that side-parting now, middle parting all the way. And I’m no longer trying to tame my curls, but embracing them.
Whereas some people rely on their cliques in school for a particular style, it seems other friendship groups go further and actually dress the same. Beth Gallimore, 19, studying fashion journalism at University of Sunderland, to her embarrassment, was in one of these friend groups, “On a school trip once, me and my friends all wore the same Jane Norman cardigan in different colours; we must have looked ridiculous!” She said she would never dress the same as anyone else intentionally now, but sometimes with friends it does happen, picking up each-others styles is inevitable.
And then there’s sibling dressing. Look at the Olsen twins; in their pre-teen movies they were dressed identically, but now they’re millionaires with distinctive styles of their own. Mary-Kate has her boho look to a tee, whereas Ashley’s more clean cut and sophisticated.
divergent
Aaron Strawbridge, a 23 year-old Computing graduate from Manchester Metropolitan university, said that music is what has shaped his style since he was at least 16. However, whereas in school he was more into emo bands like My Chemical Romance and tried to copy their style, now his taste has matured with age and his style is more of his own, but the interest in music is still clear through the clothes he wears. “I want people to know the kind of music I listen to, but I wouldn’t go so extreme now I’m older because I want to be taken seriously now I’m out of uni and job hunting.”
Kelly Osbourne, trying to stand in her parents rock status foot-steps, went through a similar stage with her punky style. However, through time she’s become a bit more feminine, while sticking to her roots with her quirky lilac hair.
Molly McGuire, 19, studying Sociology and Criminology at Coventry University was the typical tom boy in school, playing on all of the sports teams, not bothering with makeup like other girls. She said: “I was never bothered about what clothes I wore because I was into football, so that’s what dictated my outfits most of the time.” But things change. She says she still loves sport, but dressing up for a girly night with friends is just as high on her list of favourites as football is.
“I was a clone in school,” said Emma Lumley, a 19 year-old studying magazine journalism at University of Sunderland, “I bought Mckenzie because everyone else did, not because I liked it.” Emma shows how at school people, especially girls, do what they can to fit in to be popular. I don’t think anyone will be sporting a Mckenzie tracksuit anytime soon though…
Overall, it seems there are a number of things that influence our style when we’re younger, whether we become carbon copies or divergents, just like the book. It could be peer pressure at school or a love for sports or music; there’s always something out there defining what group we belong to. Trish is born into one faction, but knows she doesn’t belong. Leaving means losing her family and possibly her life, I’m just glad we’re not going to be hunted down for wearing our hair a different way for school, although it may feel that way sometimes.

Friday 20 June 2014

YSL & a smidge of Illamasqua

I'm definitely not a beauty blogger. I don't know the ins and outs of make up like I do clothes, but I love beauty just as much as fashion. I, like any other girl, leave Boots covered in lipstick and eye shadow, I've just never written about it! But a trip to Hull last week led me to splurge on YSL, so I thought it was worth a mention..



I'd seen the new Kiss and Blush once before and loved the whole idea of being able to have a blush and lipstick in the same product (hello holidays), but couldn't decide on a shade. This time though, I told the sales assistant I liked pinky tones, but because it's summer I like the more coral/peachy shades, I just wasn't sure if they'd suit me. She then showed me this shade, 08, and I thought it'd be perfect! Definitely pink, but with warmer tones for summer. The product itself goes on the lips in a matte/velvet way, and I'm a fan of a matte finish anyway so it was perfect for me. To use the product for blush, apply in a semi-circle around the apple of the cheek and blend with a foundation brush. The colour is buildable and I wore it all day shopping and only had to top it up once or twice!


My favourite beauty product has always been eye shadow. In school I was known for my coloured eyeliner (those days are gone), but I've moved onto shadows, with liquid liner over the top. I've got the Urban Decay Naked 1 and 3 palettes, which I adore, but I thought a new, smaller palette could be added to the collection. This five colour palette is the YSL couture palette and I just love the way the shadows sparkle. I thought this palette was the most wearable, and will be perfect for holiday with the bronze and pink tones for that sun-kissed holiday vibe. 


The packaging's a dream too, it's always painful knowing you have to throw the boxes and put them in your make-up bag to get covered in remnants of other make-up..speaking of which, this lovely make-up bag came free with my purchases, I love a good freebie!

I also went to Meadowhall last week (shopaholic, I know) to finish off holiday shopping, eep! And I picked up the Illamasqua Masquara. It's my favourite mascara EVER. I've honestly never found a mascara so black. Obviously the brand are known for their products being so pigmented, and their mascara can't be faulted. 10/10 recommend for blackness. 

Em x