Beauty

Once again I have another fellow blogger answering some questions about blogging and fashion! I hope you enjoy it, and if you want to hear anything from certain people, do let me know! Take it away Stephanie…

1.    What inspired you to start your Blog?: My friend started a blog a little while before & just the whole “online diary” really interested me.

2.    Why did you choose fashion?: I didn’t really at the start, it was very much a beauty blog and it still stands with beauty at the moment. I started my outfit post’s a little while after and they’ve just grown and grown. I enjoy reading them on other blogs, and have just felt they’ve improved through the years.

3. What are you top tips on starting a Blog?: Pick a good name that is universal and you will love even when you’re 50, you have to be proud and want to hate your blog. Basic layout’s and an interesting header will get you a good start, and remember to keep your images big!!

4. What are your Blogging Targets for this year?: Just to keep growing Stephanie Dreams, both with my readership and with what I can do with it and the people I work with.

5. Who are your favourite fellow bloggers?: Paige Joanna and Briar Rose are both stunning blogs (and friends) that I met and found in 2012. I love finding new blogs all the time & I think it’s important to read and comment on a lot. Both to get inspiration and also become a team member of the blogging world.

6. What’s was your favourite trend from 2012?: I love the mini bags and also the monochrome trend.

7. Where’s your favourite place to grab a bargain and why?: Primark is always good, but generally I’m not good at bagging a bargain. I think super markets are doing well for their fashion though, George at Asda is my favourite.

8. What’s your favourite piece of clothing, accessory etc that you have ever bought?: I think my “Whole lotta Rosie” headbands from Crown & Glory are. I adore them and think they look amazing.

9. Who is your favourite designer and why?: This is so hard. I’m not “High Fashion” in any way, and I find it hard to relate designers to real life style and clothing. I adore Matthew Willimason for his prints and gorgeous colours though, and I love the See by Chloe range also.

10. What’s your personal style and what do you do to work it?: I really HATE this question, I honestly don’t know what style I have. To describe it is the worst! I like being fun and laid back, I will be wearing tights 90% of the time and love to be creative with accessories.

So you can get a feel for Stephanie’s blog, here are some screenshots…

Stephanie has over 1,000 Blog Followers, 2,441 Twitter Followers and over 100 Facebook Fans, that means she has over 3,000 Followers combined! I am sure she is going to get much bigger!

Thanks so much Steph! Please feel free to leave a comment on which bloggers you would like to see here! Also, if you leave a question, I will add them to the questions list! Or Tweet me!

This is one of those posts, which many of you will think, ‘Oh, I know what to take’, or think, she’s 12, how does she know? Well, I know because I live around older people, and I read things, and I just have common sense right? How else do you think I do my blog??! (Well, you could say I was just generally clever and a genius, but that would not be true!) Revlon ColourBurst Lipstick £5.00 (Boots), Models Own Compact Mirror £6.50 (Boots), Collection 2000 Lasting Perfection Concealer £3.69 (Boots), Collection 2000 Fix Me Up £5.99 (Superdrug), Nivea Hand Nourishing Cream £1.49 (Superdrug) & Barry M Concealer Brush £2.99 (Superdrug).

1: These lipsticks are meant to have the most gorgeous finish and are supposed to last a very long time, so even if you have a favourite, get a long lasting one! And take it with you to touch up! 2: Having a sleek and small mirror in your make-up bag is key, because even if the bathroom where you work has one, sometimes you just need to look that little bit closer! 3: Again, this concealer is supposed to be amazing! Loads of people have been raving about it, and perhaps you should try it out! 4: Fixing Sprays are key, because they can be used through out the day, so if you’re touching up your make-up, it will stay put, and if you feel your make-up moving, stop it in it’s tracks! 5: Always bring a small moisturiser with you, sometimes you hands will need a little bit of love! Especially in these harsh conditions, make sure you always have something like this with you! 6: For hygiene and easy usage, bring a small brush. You don’t want your make-up everywhere, and you don’t want dirty fingers on your face, so bring a nice and compact concealer/blending brush along, if you know you’re going to need to touch up!

Please tell me if you need any outfit inspiration for work, just leave a comment or tweet me.

Bonjour again! I had a request to a post on the S/S 13 Hair Trends as some inspiration, also some of you maybe thinking of having a nice new cut for the start of a fresh year. I have also added some products on how to create the below looks… (Pictures from Pinterest)

Textured Waves are a big thing. See below for more info, on how to create this look…

Big Quiffs are also really hot! Back comb and add lots of spray for added height!

High Top Buns are one of my favourite looks! See below on how to create the look…

Side Swept Bangs are brilliant! If you have a fringe, make sure you sweep it across, for a clean and finished look!

Toni & Guy Casual Sea Salt Texturising Spray £7.19 (Toni & Guy), Large Doughnut Ring £5.09 Each (Superdrug), Babyliss Root Boost 2123U £29.99 (Superdrug), Elnett Hairspray Dry or Damaged Hair £6.39 (Superdrug) & Beauty Works Instant Side Swoop Fringe £15.99 (Paul’s Hair World).

First of all, the Toni & Guy Texture Spray, is apparently amazing. It has had loads of hype and talk about it, and for £7.19 I don’t see why you shouldn’t try it out! Next, for creating a big bun, use a doughnut, no not a sweet sugary cake, but a nice squidgy round thing that makes your hair look perfect! Then to hold that in place, add a load of hair spray! Then, for those of us who don’t have a fringe, or are to scared to try one out, get a clip in one!

Last night I watched a documentary on YouTube about, the one and only, Tom Ford. Quite frankly, before this documentary I didn’t really know much about him, but now I do, and he is brilliant. He took Gucci from bankruptcy to literally bank irruption (I.e over flowing with cash). He then joined YSL when Gucci took them over, and was again, just brilliant. Ford then stopped working and produced a film in 2009 (A Single Man), which was about his depression after quitting. After that he came back with the Tom Ford brand and then in 2011, created his first TF Women’s Collection. He now has a beauty range as well. Now, although Ford is brilliant, I’m not here to babble on about his successes, I’m here to talk about what he said.

 Nearing the end of the documentary, he talked about style. He said that style is all about being comfortable about who you are and what you wear. He then went on to say that you can have no money and look amazing or have loads and wear what you think looks good but actually your losing yourself in it all. At this point your probably thinking, ”And your point is…?” Well, it’s to say what I say all the time, those who get spotted for being stylish are those who are individual. Those who don’t care. Those who have no boundaries. He also said that in this day and age, people aren’t brave. Not like many years ago when people were extravagantly dressed, and wore things that were ridiculously OTT. Not like the tribes who lengthen their ears and adorn themselves in jewellery and spiritual accessories. When I heard what he said, I thought to myself and thought, I really need to be a bit more individual. I need to be more extravagant. To be honest, I don’t really have a style, I wouldn’t really be able to class myself in any certain style criteria, but I would be able to say that I wear things that most people wouldn’t. I’m not like Ophelia Horton who has all the vintage clothes, but I am still as into fashion as any other blogger/fashionista. Anyway, back to the point, I agree with Tom, he tells us that people need to be more extravagant, and that’s what I am going to do this year, be more brave, and break the boundaries.

See my Confidence & Courage post here.

Watch the video here.

So once again, another fellow blogger has let me ask them some questions on blogging, so you guys can get some inspiration, and perhaps start thinking about doing one yourself! This time it’s Sophie from Sophie Etc…

1. What inspired you to start your blog(s)?: I’ve always had a passion for writing, and I’d been following beauty and fashion blogs for a while so I decided I wanted a piece of the blogosphere! It started as a bit of a random blog, and its grown beyond my dreams now!

2.    Why did you choose Beauty & Fashion?: I had a bit of a growing fascination/obsession with make up and clothes. Once I got into blogging a bit more I focused on those two things as I was good at writing about them. Because I’m passionate about my interests, writing comes naturally. I also love to share my beauty finds with the rest of the world. It’s a great feeling when someone tells you that they’ve gone and bought something because you said good things about it.

3.    What are you top tips on starting a Blog?: Be yourself! I love blogs that show the bloggers personality, they are often the best ones. Also, write about what you love, not what you feel you have to write about. No one wants to see the same post on loads of blogs. If yours is different you’ll stand out!

4.    What are your Blogging Targets for this year?: Hit a big number of followers and add a bit of ‘me’ into my blog. With something as material as a beauty blog I feel like people forget there’s a human behind it!

5.    Who are your favourite fellow bloggers?: LLYMLRS because I LOVE her style!
The Sunday Girl as its my beauty bible and P0larmilk is a new favourite, it’s really simple and honest!

6.    What’s was your favourite trends of 2012?: Nail art. I love doing my nails and embraced it like it was a long lost sister!

7.    Where’s your favourite place to grab a bargain and why?: Topshop jewelry sales for sure! The jewelry is always so beautiful but so expensive. I raid it when the sale is on, accessories add so much to an outfit.

8.    What’s your favourite piece of Make-Up you’ve ever bought and why?: I didn’t buy it, it was a present but my YSL lipstick from my boyfriend… Its a beautiful beautiful item and I will definitely purchase another!

9.    What’s your favourite ever item of clothing/accessory you’ve ever bought and why?: My faux leather biker jacket from Topshop. A true style staple in anyone’s wardrobe, its so versatile!

10.   Who is your favourite designer and why?: Ted Baker. I adore the cute and colourful accessories, I own a few bags and pieces of jewelry! I also adore Alexander McQueen’s designs, they were pieces of art in themselves and absolutely beautiful.

11.   What is your favourite Make-Up Brand?: Hard to say because I like a lot of different ones. The one I trust the most is Rimmel for its purse friendly quality products. However Urban Decay is nearing my favourite ever now purely down to the amazing quality of their eyeshadows!

12.   What’s your personal style and what do you do to work it?: It’s quite simple and I like to wear versatile items. For example a white shirt and a biker jacket go with absolutely everything in my wardrobe!

So you can get a feel for Sophie’s blog, here are a few screenshots…

Sophie also has a Literature & Lifestyle blog…

Thank You very much Sophie for doing these questions! Watch out for Stephanie from Stephanie Dreams doing the same thing very soon!

The reason for calling this look, ‘Night & Day’ is the fact that I am working my new Monochrome Coat (€20) and then yellow and orange, so White & Black for Night and then the bright colours for the day, and the sun. I am on my balcony in the pictures, and the views here are amazing. I swear the sky is bigger…

What I Wore: Zara Dress Top (Underneath), Matalan Peter Pan Top, New Look Orange Trousers, John Lewis Boots (They were £30.00 but I got them for £12.00 last year), 2nd Hand Dalmation Coat (€20.00) & 2nd Hand Leather Look Bag (€8.00). Make-Up: Miss Sporty Mascara & Collection 2000 Hotlights Lip Gloss.

If you’ve been reading for a long time, you will know that sometimes I review things from my mum’s stuff as I find some of her stuff a lot of you will relate to. One of these things is Foundation. Now, my mum has naturally oily skin, and finds it hard finding a Foundation to stop her looking shiny. So recently she did a bit of a bulk order of bits and bobs, and found a Foundation. This one is the Rimmel London Wake Me Up SPF 15 Foundation in Ivory.

This Foundation is one of those things which is perfect for some people and the worst product to use for others. For people with oily skin is great, because it can make your skin look naturally matte, and not powdery. My mum finds it hard to pick out ones which don’t turn out looking ridiculously pale, but this one looks great. It says on the back… ”Our first foundation that visibly reawakens and illuminates skin with a radiant glow and a flawless natural-looking finish. Instant anti-fatique effect with peptides and a Vitamin Moisturising Complex.” The packaging is also nice, it is small and sleek, and is a nice colour. I generally have been in love with Rimmel recently.

As you can see (hopefully), there is a really nice shimmer too the Foundation. It also spreads out really well, and is really blendable. It also smells quite nice. It has a similar smell to the Soap & Glory The Righteous Butter, which is good because you don’t want a horrible smell on your face, which can sometimes put you off a really good looking Foundation. It is also really light, you don’t even feel like you’re wearing it after a while.

BLEND-ABILITY: 8/10 – Blends well, and spreads out well.

COLOUR & TEXTURE: 8/10 – Nice colour, very natural and feels light and smooth. Plus, it has a nice shimmer to it.

SCENT: 7/10 – A nice scent, similar to some S&G products.

OVERALL: 8/10 – Very good product, especially for oily skin.

The other day (when my sister was staying) she told me that you can make really good Lip Scrubs by using Honey & Sugar, so I looked it up and investigated, so, I tried it out, and here’s how you can do it!

Okay, so the ingredients you need are: Honey, Olive Oil (Optional), Vaseline/Lip Balm (Selection Shown), Natural Crushed Sugar & A Small Container.

I used my Rosy Lips Vaseline, so there would be a slight tint, and also just so (perhaps) it looked a little better…

This is from the local area of where we live, and it is handmade! This is the Sunflower honey and it is really sweet, and doesn’t have that bitter taste some honeys have.

The reason why the Olive Oil is optional is because it is either a substitute for those who are maybe allergic, or don’t have honey. Plus, it also has nice goodness in it for that added bonus!

The container I used was an old Yoghurt jar, which is quite small, and you could fill it if you wanted. You could also use old lip balm containers, or plastic containers left around.

For my sugar I just used natural brown sugar, and made sure it was crushed. The better the lumps and grittyness the better the scrub will be.

1. Add a teaspoon of Vaseline/Lip Balm, you can add as much or as little as you like, but I found this was a good amount.

2: Then add about 2 or 3 teaspoons of Extra Virgin Olive Oil, this will make your lips even softer.

3: Next add 1 teaspoon of honey. You can use squirty honey, if you like, but set honey can make it thicker.

4: Finally you want to add about 2 teaspoons of sugar. The more gritty it is the better the scrub. If you put too much it will make it too gloopy and thick.

This is what it looks like before you put it in the fridge.. (kinda gross, right?)

5: Put it in the fridge for about 10 to 15 minutes to make it set a bit more.This is not one for the faint harted! The finished product…

This is before I put the scrub on. My lips look dry and they have peeling skin.

With the scrub on. It sort of has a tint from the Vaseline, and it also has a slight shimmer. It tastes quite good, but if you hate Olive Oil, don’t add it!

After I used it. My lips look softer and feel softer. I found that the dried skin came off easy, and they feel a lot lighter. Obviously, using this once wont work, so use it every day for at least a week.

Okay, so I wanted to do a Beauty Series, and this is it. I am going to go through a sort of A-Z every week on Beauty & Skincare, and I will be listing products, tips and DIYS. So, enjoy the first!

Antioxidants are chemicals which neutralise damage in the body and skin. Eating foods like Blueberries, Raspberries & Apples will help you with damaged skin and will reduce ageing.

Philosophy When Hope Is Not Enough Serum £34.00, Neal’s Yard Frankincense Eye & Lip Serum £22.50 & Origins A Perfect World Antioxidant Moisturiser with White Tea £33.00 (All from Boots).

All these product will help you with premature ageing, and damaged skin. The Origins Moisturiser has had many reviews, and great feedback, so I would get it whilst you can! But, I really like the Neal’s Yard one, it looks so cool! But, how can you use it on your eyes & lips? Looks interesting as well…. (Oh, and I am sorry they aren’t budget, I wanted to do more Premium ones for this post).

So, the other day my mum came home with a Magazine, and when she opened it up, it was totally different to anything we had ever seen before! It was WAD or We Are Different Magazine. It was actually a special edition, but I think any edition of it would be cool! It is basically a Fashion & Lifestyle Magazine which has articles with French & English writing, so anyone can read it, and it has some interesting pictures, and it came with a poster from Eleven Paris. So, here’s just a little round up of it!

This poster is of Lenny Kravitz for Eleven Paris. He was Katniss’ Designer in the Hunger Games, if you don’t know him.

These are all the seperate booklets you get. ”Bottom, Tops, Accessoires, Shoes, Underwear, Motion, Lifestyle & Joker”. You also get a Magazine Holder, but we don’t know how to put it together, and it’s very small.