IT'S STARTING TO FEEL A LOT LIKE CHRISTMAS..

Don't know about you but I cannot WAIT for Christmas...

I've had my final lecture at Uni now and I'm planning on heading home for Christmas TOMORROW !! So excited I can't wait... Mostly for the food. This year my sister and I are cooking the Christmas dinner as my mum will have only just come out of hospital - so it's bound to be eventful and I will definitely do a blog post about it after Christmas. Anyway - for now I thought I'd share with you a few of the stocking fillers I am hoping to unwrap this Christmas Day... (OK so I'm expecting a lot here!) As I haven't actually been able to buy ANYTHING recently (due to the student loan not being at ALL large enough) a lot of what I'm wanting from Father Christmas is beauty bits and bobs that I otherwise would've liked to buy myself these last few months... So if you're looking for present ideas for a friend/sister/mum/girlfriend here are some of the things I'm lusting after.

1. Rihanna's 'Talk that Talk' album.

For last year I got Rihanna's 'Louder' album and it was literally the soundtrack to December-January last year... now I need a new injection of Rih Rih

2. O.P.I nail varnish in 'Bubble Bath'

So like I said a while back, I've been lusting after this milky-pink nude for everrr and I haven't been lying about no money - so yes, I'm still wishing for it!

3. Nars blusher in Laguna

My make-up stocks are running low at the moment, and the student budget isn't stretching enough to re-fill it. Therefore I'm asking Father Christmas to bronze me up instead with Nars Laguna

4. Diptyque scented candles

This is where I become an old lady. This summer I redecorated my bedroom at home and I'm obsessed with my new white, flow-y minimalistic room! I currently have burnt out almost all of my candles apart from a BEAUT Laura Ashley one that's still going. So I'm thinking it's time to build a collection of Diptyques... and at £40ish a pop, it may take me a while!!

5. MAC 187 foundation brush

I already have quite the collection of Bobbi Brown make-up brushes that I bought last December - however, my set didn't come with a professional foundation brush! So after using my trusty Eco-tools brush for what feels like an eternity I feel like I should finally get a 'proper' foundation brush... and everybody is always saying MAC's 187 is thee best.

6. MAC Studio Fix Fluid foundation

I've been wanting to try this foundation for an age now. Yes, I love my Bobbi Brown skin foundation - but for winter I feel like a little more coverage is necessary .. plus change is always good. I need to get colour matched though at a counter - so if anyone knows what the colour match is with Bobbi Brown in 4 Natural ... Lemme know!

7. Moroccan Oil

This little treat has been on the beauty scene for YONKS now and I am ashamed to say I am still yet to try it. But now the time is right! The winter chill and blustery days are making my hair dryer than ever so hopefully Moroccan oil can be my saviour.

8. YSL Volum Effect Faux Cils Shocking mascara

I've said a million times there is one mascara that I absolutely love and that's YSL volum effect faux cils. I've been out of that now for quite a while, and have seen they've bought out a NEW one adding 'shocking' to the name.... I just have to try.

 



So if there is anyone out there with bundles of cash they just need to part with... treat me!

1. Macbook Pro

2. Oversized Mulberry Alexa

3. Range Rover Evoque

4. Great Dane puppy.... nawww

BEAUTIFUL B.

Who doesn't love Beyonce - how AMAZING does she look in Harpers Bazaar?!
XO Chloe

LUSTING AFTER...

1. Coconut Oil

The health and beauty benefits from Coconut Oil are no secret anymore... Ever since Miranda Kerr revealed she is an avid user, sales have soared.- and it's about time I get myself some! Drizzled over salads, used as a moisturiser or a hair mask on dry ends, Coconut Oil is apparently "2011's must-have" ... So off to Holland & Barrett I trot.

2. Essie Ballet Slippers

So you may see a theme between the two nail varnishes I am currently wanting at the moment - no, they are not exactly the same. For ages I have wanted a nude, pink colour - but thicker than a base coat, for everyday wear... and Essie Ballet Slippers looks about perf to me.

3. Elie Saab Le Parfum

Introducing Elie Saab's first fragrance! A woman in Boots sprayed a little card for me a while back, and as I was in a rush to go and see 'One Day' at the cinema I tossed it in my bag without a second thought. It was only until later that evening when I opened my bag up that I realised how much I loved the fragrance. My whole bag had been saturated in the scent and it was amazing! Now however, the smell has well and truely left my bag and I haveee to get my hands on a bottle.

4. Nars blush in Deepthroat

I have been wanting this blush for ageees, but no longer having my bar job back at home, and student rent being ridiculous - I have had to suffer without. It's a gorge peachy-pink colour, with a little shimmer, but more subtle than the Orgasm blush. Anyone want to buy me a present?!?

5. O.P.I Bubble Bath

Yes, Yes, Yes... Another pink nail varnish. BUUUT how am I supposed to find the right colour if I don't shop around right?! Again, I'm wanting this to fulfil my need for the perfect full coverage pink. If anyone has tried either Ballet Slippers and/or Bubble Bath please let me know which is best, because at this rate... I will be buying both!

XO Chloe

The Scent Squad// COSMO ON CAMPUS

I told you lot that I wrote for Cosmo on Campus a while back didn't I?! Well, the lovely beauty assistant Cassie Powney has just sent me a sneak-peek PDF of my page!! So - all you uni kids out there - look out, and if you see a copy of Cosmo On Campus floating around ... grab it!!

XO Chloe

A week in pictures...

I owe you guys an update...
Yep once again, I've been M.I.A on the blogging front for a few days... But I've been busyyyyy!
Starting back at Uni, and 3 whole days of unbelievable October weather has meant my blog has taken a back seat!!
Here are some photos however of the past week(ish) to keep you up to date!

1.  Decided to go for white nails on Monday which, I have done before.. but I'm never quite sure of the rules for white nails... Is it a yes?! Personally I like 'em!

2. This was taken before a night out to Mechu in Birmingham with my gorge housemates. Outfit... Bodycon Skirt from Topshop, One-Shoulder top from H&M (which was in the sale for £5 BARGAIN!) and studded black waist belt from Primark!

3. So with the AMAZING weather we've been having, there's also been some not so amazing critters about. Yes, I got stung by a wasp! Thing is ... I wasn't even angering the little b*stard! I thought it was a fly that had landed on my neck, so politely went to shoo it away and it stuck its bloody stinger in me! YOUCH. (P.S it still hurts)

4.  A sneeky shot of a pitcher of Cosmos from Frankie & Bennys which the girls and I gulped down.

5. Dancing on stage at the HMV institute in Brum with my fellow housemate Alex! (Note: this was not after the cosmos!)

6. A picture of my OCD (I'd rather think of it as highly-organised) make-up drawer at my new Uni house!

7. For our 6th anniversary last weekend, the boyfriend and I stayed in Manchester... Outfit - LBD from Republic, and nude heels from Carvela :-)

8. Another night out in Birmingham (... well it was freshers week) this time at Gatecrasher.

9. A photo of our Barry M crackle nails ! (Not the strange coloured drink in our hands- I think it was this gross aldi substitute for southern comfort)

10. This is a screenshot of my mums recent tweet "I wish I was a puppy." ... If you're wanting more dog-related updates, follow her... because she's quite funny.. @louiseburcham

So yes dolls, that's been my week - and is also my excuse for being an awful blog writer. Please forgive me and keep reading because I quite like you all !!

XO Chloe

FUSION LASHES// COVERGIRL+MAXFACTOR

So I can pretty safely say that every girl I have ever met is in search for the perfect mascara combining volume and length. For me, YSL Volum Effect Faux Cils has got to be one of my all time favourites- but this still doesn't stop me from looking...

Within the package of goodies I recieved from my friend is New York (www.fashionandcircuis.blogspot.com) was this little beauty - Covergirl: Lash Blast Fusion. As we don't usually get Covergirl in the UK, I've found this to be the same product as Covergirl's sister company - Maxfactor's new False Lash Effect Fusion meaning both US & UK girlies can enjoy!

I'm lucky enough to have naturally quite long lashes so I am often on the look out for volume when choosing mascaras- however these mascara's claim to give both. 

I must admit, since having been sent Covergirl Lash Blast Fusion - I haven't actually reached for my YSL mascara. Yes, half of the reason is to save my YSL as it's pricey and I'm now back at Uni, but I also seriously haven't felt the need. I'm really liking this mascara for both day and night... It gives your lashes that fluffy, natural look yet still delivering volume and being noticeable; it's also totally build-able for night- no matter how many coats I've applied, I've never had a clump... so to be honest- it's pretty fab. 

photo: Philippe Salomon

COBOLT CRACKLE

This post is admittedly maybe a year or so out of date, but until now I wasn't really feeling the crackle nail effect trend. Anyway, I decided to bite the bullet and give it a go... Whaddya think?

I used Barry M White Nail Polish as a base colour, and layered it with Barry M's Instant Nail Effects - Crackle in Blue Print.

XO Chloe

S'ALL ABOUT THE POUT #2

 LIP GLOSS REVIEW

MAC's lipglass in curvaceous (£12.50) looks dark grey/purple when packaged; which... sort of scared me... I thought "okay this is NOT going to suit my skin tone" and thought it would look better on someone with dark skin. However- when applied it gives more of a pale nude/light pink colour which I love- especially when layered over concealer/foundation for a neutral base. Okay so it's a little sticky- (but not gloopy), and needs to be reapplied every hour or so but I'm still loving it purely for the colour!

Right so.. my friend sent me the L'oreal lip gloss from NYC and I am unsure whether this is on sale yet in the UK. Google only provided my with US based websites and prices which say it retails for $12, which I think is about £7... So sorry UK lovelies but this may be a wait-and-see product!

The lip gloss itself goes on really smooth, and smells like vanilla - Gorge! Precarious is a mixture between coral and orange which is quiet daring for me; as I've mentioned before, I'm not the biggest wearer of lip colour! Saying that- I'm kinda liking it!! It made my eyes look super-blue which is always a bonus and for a gloss, the colour lasted really well. So, US girlies- get buying.. and UK beauts, keep your eyes out!

My favorite... my favorite.. tra la laa. LOVE-THIS.

Right girls... listen up. If you're wanting to try a new lip gloss- try this and let me know what you think because I LURVE it!!

It reminds me of Soap&Glory's "Sexy Mutha Pucker" but without the pain of the plumping! Too Faced glamour gloss has a really cooling sensation when applied which lasts for ages and is so fresh! There's a little tackiness to it, but no sticky, gloopy gloss which is a bonus. Plus it lasts for ages - I've been wearing it for work and it's lasted me the whole 5 hours with no re-application. The colour (This is pretty) is neutral enough for anyone to pull off so is definitely one to try!

You can buy Too Faced Glamour Gloss from ASOS.com for £14.50... DOOO IT.

S'ALL ABOUT THE POUT #1

LIPSTICK REVIEW

The Bobbi Brown creamy lip colour retails in Selfridges for £18... I don't usually wear much lip colour, and this is the perfect everyday nude for me. Barely there colour, but moisturising and with just enough gloss- loveee.

Dior Rouge can be bought for £22.50 in Selfridges so is definitely a 'higher-end' lip colour. The Rose Allegro colour is a kind of vampy-plum colour; very autumn/winter! Its colour is highly pigmented yet buildable, so it doesn't totally scare you off with the first coat... but if you're daring you could go darker and darker. (I'm not there yet!)

Like the Dior Rouge, Dior Addict retails at £22 in House of Fraser- so again, a little pricey. More glossy than the rouge, but less pigmented; I find the Dior Addict more wearable through the day. It's also super moisturising and lasts a-a-a-a-a-ges!

Pretty Purple(ish) Polish

So it's September- and Autumn trends are setting in. Even though I cannot accept summer is almost over, I thought I'd give it a go with a new 'very-autumn' muted purple polish.

'Tickle my France-y' from O.P.I is a "just-off-pinky-grey-muted-purpley" kind of colour, but I'm loving it. I then layered it with O.P.I's Nail Envy strengthener as a top coat - to add a little more strength before the cold weather starts and brittle/breakable nails are back!

So yes, it is the 5th of September and the sun is still shining... but I'm very prepared and ready for the upcoming season! What do you think?

XO Chloe