THERE'S BEAUTY IN HONESTY

Inspired by Who Do You Think You Are? by Lizabelly

Even though I've only been blogging for a matter of days, I've been reading blogs for quite a while, and I always keep to the path of beauty and fashion blogs, simply because it's what I enjoy reading, I get all my lifestyle reads from magazines and newspapers. However when I was reading a lovely blog, by an equally lovely girl, Liz, I came across one of her earlier posts. Not about blushers or lip glosses or mascaras, but about herself and about a very personal experience. And it really really touched me.

She talks about how easy it is to forget yourself, and to be moulded by how other people want you to be. I was so touched because I could relate to it all, I'd been in the exact same situation, a year ago I'd been so in love with a boy that I changed myself to make him happier, but that's not how it should work. I walked on eggshells for the majority of my relationship because I was too worried that I'd say the wrong thing and it would end in an argument. The worst part is, before he became my boyfriend, he was my best friend, someone I trusted to never judge me, regardless of what I did, but everything changed.

Reading Liz's post really helped me, and helped me realise that you're not alone in these matters, and that it's okay now. Because when you properly move on, it is better, and you truly do learn from your mistakes.

Liz's post Who Do You Think You Are? is inspirational, and not only that, it's brave and real, because it's so difficult to tell people the truth about matters of the heart, especially when they aren't rosy. It's hard to say you're hurt, you've made mistakes or that you let yourself become vulnerable. So that's why today, on International Women's Day, I've chosen to do this post, because sometimes it's just by being totally honest that you can really help someone else.

TAKE ME TO THE DISCO CLUB

I am like a greedy child at the moment.
I want these.
And I need these.
And I will not stop till I get these.

They are, of course, the American Apparel 'Disco Pant'.

I am so in love with these, especially the first photo that reminds me of Debbie Harry. Now I know and understand that I won't look like either of these women, my legs are NOT endless, at 5 foot 3 I'm never going to look willowy and elegant in these but I want them so bad.
And I have no idea which colour I'd pick, I think the black ones are a bit too close to leggings for me, and at £70 a pop, I don't want something that people would take for leggings. So it's between the grey and the blue, what's everyones opinions? And has anyone got a pair of these? Are they as slimming and nip-tucky as people say? Or should I really consider shifting the last couple of Christmas pounds before jumping in? 20 questions haha.

Any Idea's guys? Your opinions are needed haha!


Lots of Love and Hugs,

Olivia
xxxxxxx

Photos courtesy of Google Images

MY ILLAMASQUA HAUL (WITH REVIEWS)

Had a bit of a spend online a couple of days ago after reading some irresistible reviews on Lina's beautiful blog, and ended up with 4 new beauties from Illamasqua.

Even though Illamasqua has become increasingly more popular in the past few years, it still seems to be slightly off peoples radar in comparison to the big boys like Chanel and Mac, whenever I mention it to friends it falls on deaf ears. However, their products are definite competition, with high pigmentation and highly talented MUA's at every counter.

I bought three varied eye pigments, Cream Pigment in 'Mould', Liquid Metal in 'Surge' and Pure Pigment in 'Android'.

Illamasqua Cream Pigment in 'Mould'

I really really like this pigment, it's pretty much perfect. I was always terrified of purple eyeshadow's up until now, I have green eyes and at 13 I encountered a saleswoman who was the epitome of hard sell. I ended up with a palette of purpley-pink eyeshadows. The pink made me look like I'd been crying for a month and the purple was too lilac and made me look like I was in a girl band circa 1993. This is different, it dries matte and you can build it up as dark as you want, which I love because it adds an edge to my normal black and grey make up. Main problem is that if I wear this from 9 am, by about 4pm, it creases and settles slightly, but none the less a beautiful colour.

Illamasqua Liquid Metal in 'Surge'

Now I know this is a hell of a massive swatch haha, but I got really carried away because it's just so so pretty! It's this perfect pewter silver and it feels smooth and silky on the skin. I could never wear it on its own, as I tend to wear very dark eye makeup, so I'd probably wear this then build a darker colour in the crease. Might try a look soon with 'Mould' blended in. One draw back though, I did wear this recently, when in a mad rush for a night out after rehearsals, and tried to smudge in a black powder in the corners. Did NOT work, they stayed totally resistant to each other, boo, hiss. So I'll just have to keep playing and wait and see. And if you do happen to get this, I recommend a primer underneath, it remains moist the whole time and after dancing all night my eyelids got a bit sweaty, yuckk.

Illamasqua Pure Pigment in 'Android'

This photo is really crap, and I apologise for this because it doesn't do this pigment justice, it's gorgeous. It's a really dark blue with silver glitter and it's my favourite pigment out of the hundreds that I own. It has really good staying power and is easy to apply. When I bought it the MUA applied it on top of 'Mould' and it look gorgeous, softening the purple and helping to blend the colour out nicely. Like all pigments it does scatter all over my face, but it's well worth it, might try applying it wet to see what happens.

N.B. Must stop using iPhone to take photos.

Just added this to show the MUA's amazing job of my eyes, but you really can't tell, and also to show off my new favourite lip pie which I will review soon! I also bought a porkpie hat from Topshop, but I really don't think I can pull it off, we'll see.

Anyone else got some new bits from Illamasqua? Dying to try the Metal Powder, any recommendations?

Lots of love and hugs,

Olivia 

xxxxxx

HERE GOES NOTHING....

Hello Lovelies!


My first Blog! And my first post of my first blog! Ever since watching Sex and the City I always thought I'd like to try my hand at writing, something about nonchalantly staring out of the window, Marlboro in hand, in some fantastic Galliano creation was shockingly enticing. 


But then I realised several things:


1. I have no disastrous relationships to talk about, I have a lovely boyfriend who doesn't have commitment issues and if he had fallen in love with someone younger than myself it would only be woeful because it would be illegal, not because she had better skin than myself.


2. I look no where near as cool smoking as Carrie Bradshaw does.


3. I will never be able to afford anything by Galliano.


However, there is one thing that I do truly have a passion for, that I covet, collect and spend the majority of my (not so) hard earned pennies on.


Make Up.
With sub categories of Skin Care and Clothing.


So that's what this blog will be about. I've set myself a new years resolution of writing a blog about what I love, and even though I'm slightly late, even though all my other ones have fallen down the gutter (quitting smoking being the main one), I'm going to go for it. Because it can't hurt to have a stab at it.


Before I say anything else, I'm not an expert, I'm not trained and there is no skill to what I'll be writing about, just my own opinions, thoughts and deranged ramblings.


With that, I'll leave you with my own list of my favourite bloggers, clever, funny women who's taste in make up is flawless.


Lots of Love, 


Olivia 
xxxxx


Pearls and Poodles
Mes Luxes
I Heart Cosmetics
Yummy Mummys Beauty Blog
Liparazzi
British Beauty Blogger
Make Up To Make Out