sparkle in these top 4 beauty buys

Every girl goes through small obsessions, clothes, shoes, bags… mine is now make up.
Recently I have only focused on improving my makeup methods as very slowly I have expanded my collection and each new item I buy improves things even more. So through a lot of trial and error I have concluded the TOP 4 make up buys that you need to get this summer!

No one wants to be sat on a sun bed dripping in thick and sticky makeup but still wants to glisten as you work on your tan. These products will help you highlight and glow in the summer sun.

1/
TOPSHOP GLOW STICK
Circle this around your upper cheek bone after applying a light foundation, smudge with your fingers.

2/
MAC PREP + PRIME CONCEALER
Apply a little or a lot after foundation. Lighten under eye, the end of your nose to in-between your eyebrows and middle of chin.

3/
TOPSHOP BROW FIX
Use the white wax end to control eyebrow shape and draw in colour with the opposite end.

4/
SEVENTEEN SKIN TAN LIQUID GLOW
A small pump of this good stuff can go on both cheeks and your body in circular motions to highlight. It quickly sets so apply fast and lightly.

slow down sundays visiting The Canteen

With Sunday finally here and Summer showing its face for the first time, we are all feeling hopeful and happy about the current time.
Whether you're off on holiday or sticking around to earn some pennies this Summer, a Sunday is a day we all need time to relax, so book it off work, sneak out to the garden and put your feet up - Sundays are for sharing and sipping (champs or cider - whichever you prefer).

Last week I jet off to London to enjoy Graduate Fashion Week, where the students really pulled out all the stops for another year of showing what our fashion leaders of the future have to say.
Hannah Wallace of Manchester University won the George Gold Award with her menswear 'Pluto Close' collection. A mix of space meets snow holiday. Think bubble wrap jackets and balaclavas - in total it was amazing. She was featured on Vogue, cheered on by social star, Susie Bubble and pictured on the day with Gok Wan.
See it in on her Instagram - @hwallae.hunte

Most of this week I have been slowly rolling back into work, catching up with all things Kardashian - and getting horribly addicted to the new series The Affair (if you haven't seen it already, DO, its on catch up), and hitting the shops (of course).  

Today I visited a great place local to me named, The Canteen. 

A visit 5 years ago feels like a thousand by how far this 3 story boutique cafe has come. Like most cities now, the huge chains cast a shade on those smaller, with weekly deals that have us scratching at our desks to leave for a Buy One Get One Free pizza deal. The Canteen serves fresh wraps, salads and baguettes, alongside their interesting array of smoothies all made to order. 

You immediately feel comfortable by the friendly staff that greet you in the entrance, small wooden tables with egg-like chairs spacing the three floors. Green plants mask the walls and eccentric paintings are arranged along the walls. 

The rooms are light and airy when we arrive despite the intense Sunday heat, with huge windows reaching the ceiling from the floor. We have our order taken with a waitress who follows us up the winding staircase with our food as we sip on our refreshing smoothies. The atmosphere is relaxed, as we are allowed to sit in peace with no complications or bother with not an inch of hipster music in site. I loved this place and would recomend it to anyone. 

The cue was out the door so I guess the word is out but opening soon is the option to buy 'Canteen Favourites', so a local or not, the future of food is just a click away -

The Canteen, Canterbury - http://www.canteenfresh.co.uk

5 Instagrammers you need to follow

Instagram is the site to share all aspects of your life through one photo or 15 second vid. On top as number one social media site, beauty bloggers, fashion and film celebrities and even businesses are taking to Instagram to expand audiences, giving us a small insight into their world.

With Rihanna back online we get to see personally signed Dior handbags and short reveals from the new Dior campaign, to sneaky insights into a buyers meeting for the next Burberry collection. Although we may not ever be able to afford the iconic trench we get to see whose wearing it, what the brand is up to and whats to come.
For beauty lovers, 15 second videos are all we need to see how to perfectly apply liquid eyeliner or top tips for contouring (a task we still are trying to master) (See Kim K instagram...)

With over 300+ million users, Instagram is the site we all go to and here are my top 5 Insta addicts you need to follow:

1.1
@KimKardashian
- if you're not following her you're kind of crazy. Insights into backstage at the Kimye wedding, private parties and the life of the number 1 Kardashian.

2.2
@TashOakley
- ultimate girl crush. Beaches, bikinis, fitness and food.

3.3
@ReissFashion
- whether you're a fan of the store or not, five scrolls through this page and you will be obsessed. Smart and sophisticated, fashion lovers will swarm.

4.4
@Kristina_Bazan
- my favourite fashion blogger. Follow her as she jets around the world, shooting campaigns for numerous designers and attending the coolest parties. She's pretty cool.

5.5
@Olivier_Rousteing
- shots from the red carpet of best friends (to name only a few), Beyonce, Kendall Jenner, Justin Bieber and Jourdan Dunn, all wearing Balmain.
Prepare for lots of emojis, kisses and #BalmainArmy. - If you can't beat them, join them.

rise of the Balmaination

Olivier Rousteing, who graduated and established his career working for Roberto Cavalli as the head of the women's division, has 12 years on cultured and established one of the most unique couture houses of this generation. Every collection is the most memorable and star studded event of any fashion week.

Recognising the importance of Instagram for any successful fashion brand now, with 1.1 million followers, Rousteing's crazy devotion to social media allows us inside every private moment, from behind the scenes polaroids of Kim K's photo shoots, to his famous ladies in Balmain on the red carpet.

Announcing at the Billboard Awards on Sunday arm in arm with Jourdan Dunn and Kendall Jenner in head to toe Balmain, Rousteing follows friend, Alexander Wang in expanding his army for every consumer.

Now couture comes to high street, and we gain access to the military inspired, satin and sheen looks that we love.

Balmain comes to H&M.

 

Met Ball : most stylish ladies

Jewels, ball gowns and red lipstick. Another Met ball later we are left in awe.

This year our women truly pulled out all the stops for this years China inspired top fashion event of the year. 

A twitter led feud broke out concerning Kim K's 'obsession' with Beyonce, having worn a drop dead gorgeous gown that slightly reflected some of queen B's previous looks. Rihanna wore a dress carved by the gods, and I mean one lady that took two long years to construct - she really looked like the 'Belle' of the ball. J'Lo, Kim and Beyonce bared all in slinky mesh with luxury stone detailing.
And Lady Gaga, Sarah Jessica-Parker and Karen Elson adorned their heads with beautiful beyond words headpieces.

With a set dressed with elegant woodland and exquisite floral displays, a red carpet extending to the peak of the museum and an interior laden with crisp stone walls and entrance ways, the stage was set for a fabulous evening.

____________________________________________________________

Rihanna in Guo Pei / Kendall Jenner in Calven Klein / Jourdan Dunn in Burberry / 

Amal Clooney in Maison Margiela / Kim Kardasihian in Roberto Cavalli / 

Bee Shaffer in Alexander McQueen / Diane Kruger in Chanel / 

Alexa Chung in Erdem / Kate Hudson in Michael Kors 

/ Beyonce in Givenchy

catching up with coachella

I'm sorry for the delay! it now seems Coachella was so long ago, but the weeks since have flown by and I've been busy moving my life back up to uni in Newcastle to prepare for final deadlines that I haven't found any time! My best friend came to visit me and I've loved having her here to gossip, pamper and catch up. Originally a Geordie lass she settled right in so no introductions or guides were necessary. Also, with a laptop near to the ends of its life plus no charger, blogging has certainly been off the table!

But finally, charged up and ready, lets talk Coachella!

Coachella pulls off every year being America's best musical festival, seeing pretty much all our favourite celebrities, bloggers and even designers strutting their stuff in the cleanest field I have ever seen. MUCH different to English Glasto or LoveBox, everyone looks immaculate 98% of the time, has a top to toe 10/10 outfit and never have mud fights. Some may say mud fights are the epitome of any festival, marking it as a friendship finder or stand-out moment of the whole weekend, but personally... I'd rather be looking nice, sipping wine in a clean, sunny field. What would you prefer?

This year Rihanna was caught on camera and splashed out to the papers taking drugs (not like we didn't know) and we were richly entertained by Justin Bieber being kicked out of the festival trying to get into Drake's set, which consisted of Madonna slurping the face off poor Drake in another Madonna moment to be remembered. Drama kicked off as Twitter fued between Khloe Kardashian and Amber Rose broke out into reality when Kendall and friends got Amber kicked out of an exclusive event...eesh. But on a high, Kylie Jen looked her finest at Khloe's Coachella party, setting our summer up for braid mania, teaming hair with coloured extensions, fine braids and feathers! 

Above all we seriously missed Vanessa Hudgens! 

Every year she sets the bar higher as indie goddess but this year we missed out with her starring on broadway. However never fear, be sure to look to her Instagram for summer inspiration as its sure to be booming with style to die for! 

Kendall J, Millie Mackintosh and Jourdan Dunn went with 70s vibes. See Urban Outfitters for your perfect 70s summer wardrobe featuring cute dungarees, lace bralettes and fringed jackets.

Summer screams for colour as Kylie went blue, pink and black for the weekend and Miss Dunn oozed candy floss purple. Beach curls, loose plaits and easy middle partings are set for summers quick hair to go.

(Clockwise) Priya Kapoor, Zara Martin, Millie Mackintosh, Jourdan Dunn, 

Kendall Jenner, Kylie Kenner and Alessandra Ambrosio.

sunday style

The last couple of weeks have certainly been rich in emotion and a LOT of energy. I constantly feel exhausted at the end of every evening which leads to an amazing nights sleep - which obviously I can't explain. I'm used to lying awake until the early hours creating memory lists of everything I need to do, only to wake with a guilty lie-in the next morning and feel constantly behind.
Every day has started early, shower, porridge, washing/chores and sitting down to do uni work by 12. Then usually ending the day with an evening shift at my new workplace where I'm trying my hardest not to eat on every shift - Mexican food every day before summer is a no no... Unfortunately, I've been neglecting my fruit and veg and wearing make up most days my skin has been slowly disliking me.

So now, Sunday is here and with a new week ahead I have pampered myself silly and read a tonne of magazines, catching up on the latest Rihanna goss and Coachella catch-up. The weather's been gorgeous so I headed to town to treat myself with some MAC and not-so MAC goodies... a drink at a local wine bar and a huge curry I'm not even sorry for!

Feeling refreshed and my head re-screwed on I will treat my body like a temple, eating only what it should have e.g. no more easter eggs at 11pm and more smoothies, sun and fitness. A catch-up of politics is needed, I feel ridiculously left out with current events, as my friend constantly tells me off for not having the BBC app. I am in the process of renewing my CV for future employment, fingers crossed for the summer !! and feeling hopeful of all the things I have set to do on my list of 100 things to do!

On my next post which is set to go out Saturday, I'll be summing up the best of Coachella, 70s chic by Miss Kendall Jenner, why we seriously missed Vanessa Hudgens, as well as the hairstyles that will set us up for summer 2015!