Little shop favourites

There are two things I like in life, cocktails and affordable fashion, so you can imagine my surprise when I find a boutique that is not only affordable but sexy too.

Peak Boutique is a brand new company, inspired by on-trend fashion, established in 2014.
'We aim to bring you Great Quality Brands at Affordable Prices - without 'Breaking the Bank!' 

Wanting to seperate themselves from every other online fashion company, Peak Boutique offer for all customers who sign up to the website monthly competitions and a great loyalty scheme. For once the loyalty scheme isn't a petty free delivery when you consequently spend £500 in the next 5 years. With Peak Boutique, for every £1 you spend you get 10 points, after you reach a 1000 points you get £5 off your order - and with the amount of gorgeous items on the website, you'll be hard not to reach a 1000 points. 

Here are a few of my favourite items:

"Kiss the Sky" - £35

"Ginger Fizz" - £32

 "Big Metal" - £22

All contact details of the store can be found here:

Website

Twitter

Cosmetic queens.

It seems that every blog post I do these days is centred around ELF Cosmetics. (I promise i'm writing this off my own back, not being bribed with an abundance of samples).

However, this was something I couldn't just not talk about. 

Elf are giving girls will all face shapes, all complexions, all ages and all areas of Europe the chance to be the face of their next official photo shoot. This is a company thats constantly moving forward and one of the very few to recognise, we're not all 'perfectly airbrushed'. Having an unknown, 'everyday girl', especially for a cosmetics company is a big risk, one that I believe will pay off. 

In society today, young girls, including myself have been brought up with the rise of celebrities in the media. With more celebrities arising out of no where, more articles on "getting the perfect skin" and "how to lose a stone in a week" are being published. Despite companies criticising the media, nothing is being done to stop it, as these companies are still using "perfect" models. 

Elf are asking the public to share their selfies under the hashtag #elfForEveryone to find the next REAL girl. I implore everyone to take part, whether they want to be the next face or not because by doing this elf cosmetics are showing they really are trying to make a change, a change for the better. 

Elf Facebook

Elf Twitter

Elf Website

Contouring made easy

After taking elfs contouring master class yesterday, (see post here) I couldn't wait to try all my new goodies this morning.

Before I start applying any make up I usually prep my face with Nivea Visage reviving day cream. The moisturiser gives my skin a healthy looking glow and keeps it well hydrated - something thats very important to me as I suffer with dry skin. The product can be picked up in most supermarkets and drugstores.

Once the moisturiser has settled into my skin I go on to my usual foundation routine using Benefit "hello flawless" in Ivory with a flat head foundation brush. Once I have applied the foundation I use Loreal Paris "True match minerals" to create a matte look that leaves my skin looking airbrushes. 

From there I go on to apply my eyebrows. I use an eyebrow pencil from a previous Brows kit that I own. I also used Elfs eyebrow kit that includes the wax and power in a shade medium. Everyone who knows me knows that I am a huge eyebrow fan and will spend more time applying my eyebrows than any other make-up. I first of all use my pencil to define the shape of my brow and use as a guide line later on. I then take my angled brush and brush the wax over my eyebrow and later setting the wax with the power provided in the kit. 

I've been lusting after the contour look for months and finally got to take a class on perfecting this look. I was pleasantly surprised that the look can be achieved in 2 simple products using a figure of 8 motion. To create the look before to pick up Elf Concealer Stick and Elf Contouring Blush and Bronzer set. 

 Using the guide the class provided I recreated the look on myself using these products. To finish off the look I used my new elf glittered blusher; "Twinkle Pink" and Collection 2000 mascara. 

Elfs contouring masterclass #flushblush

Long go the days of thick foundation, gloopy mascara and overly priced drugstore cosmetics, elf are here. 

Boasting good quality make up for even better quality prices.

After spending Easter at home and wondering the streets of Cardiff, I was informed that the previously online based make-up brand elf, that is so popular within the beauty blogging world, had opened up their first shop. After spending my hard earned pennies I was informed of elf's first in-store based masterclass; contouring. Not wanting to miss out on all the dirty little secrets of the make-up industry I signed up. 

To say I enjoyed the master class would be an understatement. Not only did I learn some fantastic tips, I also got to meet some very lovely ladies and had a great laugh (hashtag galore). After being greeted with a glass of bucks fizz and a browse around the store, we were invited upstairs to begin the learning. With an extremely handy pamphlet we were taken from contouring for the daytime, night time and the glamour-puss iconic look. 

 With the help of the amazing elf girls and all their advice I couldn't leave the store without a few cheeky purchases:

Clockwise:

Contouring Bluch & Bronzing Power - St.Lucia £3.95

Blush - Twinkle Pink £3.95

Concealer stick - Ivory £3.95

I'd like to thank all the lovely ladies at Elf Cardiff as they really opened up my eyes to hundreds of new techniques from make-up brushes to the use of having a darker foundation. I cannot wait to try all of my new products out tomorrow!

Elf website

Elf Twitter

Elf Cardiff Twitter

Bonjour Paris!

In just a few short weeks time I will be heading to one of the fashion capitals of the world, Paris, to experience nothing other than French wine, fattening pastries and the wonder-us sites the "city of love" has to offer. However, arriving a week before fashion week puts a crazed amount of pressure on my wardrobe... and purse. Not one to throw on an old pair of jeans when I am visiting one of my favourite cities in the world, I decided I needed a chic, French inspired wardrobe for the occasion.

Freshers aren't so fresh.

So it's been well over a month since I last updated but thats due to packing up my life and moving 200 miles south to Southampton. I've also started university at Southampton Solent in the last 4 weeks and it's been a great experience so far. However, nothing is perfect and for the second time in 2 months ended up in hospital! This instance it was a severe case of glandular fever that left me hospitalised for 4 days.

BUT - i'm back and getting stronger each and every day. Unlike most teenagers my age I haven't gone crazy with money so i'm still holding my crown of Ebay Queen. Heres my 4 weeks in pictures.

This was my first night in Southampton so I used the opportunity for my first flat selfie.

Showing off my brand new Motel Rocks dress from Ebay for a purse clenching 99p.

As part of our welcome week we were thrown back 30 decades into the world of Punk Rock. We were asked to make an outfit that was totally recycled to construct a modern twist on our vision of punk. This was my groups outcome. - i'm slightly envious of the collar, I need something like that in my life.

To celebrate being released from hospital I decided to get a new 'fro. Going back to my love of dip-dye and fringe I decided this was a much needed change.

This summer has been an eventful one full of sun, sea and ... surgery? However, 6 weeks on and i've made a full recovery and back to outfit posts. As part of a "cheer me up" session, my mother took me outfit shopping ready for my first week of university, next week.

Clockwise

Coral shirt - Primark, £8

Navy blue, printed trousers - Primark, £7*

Denim shorts & Belt - River Island, £12*

Necklace - Topshop, £5*

Spotted blouse - Primark, £6

Apple Mac Book Pro - Apple store, £859

Mary-Jane shoes - Topshop, £28*

Jeans - Topshop, £38

Close up of items purchased.

Chain link necklace - gifted.

A more in depth post on individual items to come,