My 100th Blog Post!

I really, really wish I had something awesome to say or tell you or write about on this occasion because it's my 100th post! Honestly, I'm the type of person who puts their mind to something and then gives up almost instantly, so to make it this far and to still be enjoying it everyday is crazy for me. Not to mention that the comments, emails and tweets I've received from my lovely readers are so generous and helpful. So, I guess what I'm saying is here's to 100 more!

Now, I really can't think of anything much different than my usual stuff to write about. So, I figured I'd just share with you some pictures of my HAIRSPIRATIONS. A "hairspiration" is basically someone's hairstyles that inspire you to try something new or someone who's hair you envy. Here are some of mine:

1) Ashley Tisdale

2) Claire Danes

3) Elizabeth Olsen

4) Lea Michele

Do you love these gorgeous locks?

xo, J.

Designer: February Favourite!

Christian Louboutin

With Mr. Louboutin being the world's most famous and loved shoe designer, it's no surprise that he's become my favourite designer of the month. With every season passing, it becomes more and more apparent that shoes can not only complete an outfit, but determine whether the outfit's nice or not. Let's face it, shoes can make or break an outfit. Scratch that - HEELS can make or break an outfit. 

Christian has a way of mixing as many different patterns, textures and materials in heels that only a complete God could do, and every season he owns it. One of my personal favourites in his new collection are the Lady Peep 150 spike-embellished metallic leather pumps, £825. 

A six-inch heel with a one-point-five-inch platform, the gold-studded suede and patent-leather are 110% noticeable. With the 'Lady Peep' style being described as having both "attitude and glamour", be sure to wear yours with statement jewellery, bright colours, and as Tyra Banks would say "fierce". 

Another "attitude and glamour" heel from the 'Lady Peep' section is the Lady Peep 150 glitter-finished pumps, £550. The leather pumps would look perfecto on a tonal cocktail dress. They too have a 6 inch heel with 1.5 inch platforms. And the colour is absolutely fabulous. 

Another favourite of mine is the 5.5 inch Bandra 140 ruched suede sandals, £645. 

The textural appeal and violet shade make these heels one of the most sought after pair in his new collection. 

And what about these bad boys? I'm having flashbacks to Jennifer Lopez's "Louboutin" live performances! These Very Richie 120 Swarovski Crystal Suede Pumps, £2,395, are jewellery for feet. The neutral tone suits best with blush colours and gold. Those iconic red soles... 

And lastly, despite this being mainly about heels, it's about the designer in general, so I'm definitely featuring a tote bag! This little gem is the Farida Leather Tote, £1,350. 

The grey and neon pink leather creates a powerful statement for the dark, Winter months.

Are you a superfan of Christian Louboutin like me? Check out my "Contact Me!" page for more personal ways to chat with me, follow me on Google+ and Twitter (look on the contact page for my username) or just plain-old comment :)

I look forward to hearing from you guys and ALWAYS reply!

xo, J.

And the award for Best Concealer goes to...

BOBBI BROWN'S CREAMY CONCEALER KIT!

(Yes, that was a BAFTA - or any awards ceremony - reference! I'm super excited to watch the Red Carpet on TV tonight!)

Now, concealers are probably the hardest make-up product to shop for. You have to make sure it has a consistency that'll work well with your skin (the creamier the better for dry skin, but you don't want it to move throughout the day), you have to make sure it has a coverage good enough for you, and you have to make sure it has all the properties a concealer's supposed to have. 

As you all know, Bobbi Brown is my favourite make-up brand/designer, so it's no surprise that I've chosen their Creamy Concealer Kit, £24.  However, I'm not just choosing it for the sake of the brand. I chose it because it's truly the easiest and nicest concealer I've ever worked with. It glides on easily, but doesn't move; it's creamy and feels feather-soft, but is great for even really oily skin. 

With the peachier/pink side being a corrector, and the skin-toned colour being the concealer, Bobbi Brown gives you four easy steps to apply this with. Firstly, ever concealer is put under the eyes (as well as on blemishes and discolouration), so as well as applying a suitable moisturiser, you should apply some eye cream also. A great tip is to keep your eye creams in the refridgerator because this helps the cream brighten your eyes. Secondly, apply the corrector under the eyes to get rid of the discolouration. Then, apply the concealer to conceal it all. Lastly, keep it all put with some powder.

It's that simple. It's a pleasure to work with.

Are you a fan of Bobbi Brown's concealers?

xo, J.

Chloé - the IT bags.

The designer Chloé is known most through the fantastic bags that grace our eyes every season. And today, I give you my favourites from the new line.

This Marcie large textured-leather tote, £1,145, is so classic. It's timeless sophistication matches almost anything in your wardrobe. Plus, it's spacious and beautifully made. What more could you ask for? Apart from a matching black, cashmere sweater. And black and white pants. With nude heels. But really, what more could you ask for?

Next up, is the Marcie leather shoulder bag, £695. It's a contemporary classic that everyone loves. AND oversized, comfy sweaters that you think make you look like an old woman match perfectly. Thank you, bag.

Now, the Marcie medium leather tote, £1,105, is by far my favourite. The supersoft sage leather is impeccably chic and honestly, you just want to cuddle it. Truly, it's amazing. Seriously, style it with matching khaki jeans and a Burberry trenchcoat and you've got yourself HEAVEN. 

The Alison leather tote, £840. Cream, black and white create a timeless bag that's uncomplicated and feminine. Style with cream and beige clothing and accessories and you've got yourself a beautiful Springtime look.

What's your take on these to-die-for, gorgeous bags? Comment, subscribe, follow, email, whatever - I just wanna hear from you guys :)

xo, J.

Recommendations!

Hey, guys!

I was just wondering - what would you like to see more of on my blog? More makeup features (like my Bobbi Brown Foundation Guide), more fashion-related posts? Maybe something I've never done before?

Comment, tweet or email me - all info is on my "Contact Me!" page!

Xo, J.

Guide To Bobbi Brown Foundations: A Great Base Makes A Great Face

So, as many of you know, I am a HUGE, HUMUNGOUS fan of 

Bobbi Brown 

cosmetics. And, as it says in the title of this blog, a great base makes a great face - so, guess what I'm blogging about today? FOUNDATION.

Foundation is one of the most important steps in your makeup routine, because having a perfect base for your makeup is what makes your makeup look so good in the first place. Now, as I've mentioned before, I have combination skin (dryness around the nose, oiliness on the chin and forehead), so what I'm best at reviewing is products for this particular skin-type. However, I will be telling you a bit about other Bobbi Brown foundations for other skin-types also (tested by people with that skin-type). 

So, let's get started. First up is the Oil-Free Even Finish Compact Foundation (£31). 

This is best applied with a buffing brush or a stippling brush (Real Techniques is a great brand to check out), but best blended with a foundation brush or makeup sponge. For the most natural look to be achieved, apply after cleansing and moisturising. AND it won the InStyle Best Beauty Buys award in 2011. 

Next is the Luminous Moisturising Foundation (£30). 

This foundation is perfect for those with dry skin who lack the luminosity in foundations due to the skin soaking too much of it up. It promises to give skin a soft, even, healthy glow whilst reversing the visible signs of aging. Formulated with a natural collagen boosting, skin firming blend of Hexapeptides and Milk Thistle Extract., it softens fine lines and imperfections.

Another is the Moisture Rich Foundation SPF 15 (£30). 

Whilst sun-protecting the skin, it's buildable and hydrating. (See Luminous Moisturising Foundation, as it has almost the same properties, just more moisture in this one). 

Illuminating Finish Powder Compact Foundation SPF 12 (£31).

In my opinion, this is Bobbi Brown's most natural foundation yet. It's powder formula means it's great for normal-very oily skin. For sheer coverage, dust it on with a powder brush; for medium coverage, apply with a dry sponge or puff; for maximum coverage, apply with a wet makeup sponge. 

Skin Foundation Mineral Makeup SPF 12 (£27.50).

The super-fine powders in this formula are triple treated with glycerin, vitamins and skin softeners, and wear extenders. This is best applied with a powder brush, but for more coverage, apply with a face puff. This is great for any skin type.

EXTRA Repair Foundation SPF 25 (£36).

With more SPF than other BB products, it's designed for really dry skin. Shea butter and evening primrose oil are two of the fantastic ingredients infused in this creamy foundation. It instantly melts into the skin to give a fresh, healthy glow, it can repair and strengthen the skin if worn often enough. 

Skin Foundation SPF 15 (£30).

Invisible, weightless coverage that looks like SKIN and not makeup? Yes, please. It has UV protection, hydration and comfortability to make this foundation the only one you ever wear.

Foundation Stick (£28).

Now, whether it's correct or not - I think packaging says a lot about a product. And this looks like a black bottle of Chanel No.5. Portability and easy coverage, whilst being easily applied, it's great for all skin types excluding very oily. However, even though it's a nifty way of applying foundation, the build-up of bacteria will be a problem, so maybe wipe some on the back of your hand and apply or place your brush straight on it and go from there. 

Long-Wear Even Finish Foundation SPF 15 (£30).

Medium to full coverage and great on oily skin? Top of my wishlist. It's moisturising and gel-based, meaning it's perfectly lightweight. "Lasts for up to 12 hours even in the most humid conditions. Protects skin from future damage thanks to broad spectrum SPF 15 with antioxidant vitamins C and E." - oh, yes. 

So, as you can see, Bobbi Brown foundations are delightful. 98% of users would use it again and recommend it to a friend, and that's saying something. 

Tell me, do you LOVE BB foundations? And if you've never used one, are you gonna go out and buy one?

Comment, follow, tweet or email (Contact Me! page gives you more extensive details).

xo, J.

Thank you...

It's been just over a year with me blogging on here, and I'm so beyond happy! Hearing you guys' feedback through email, comments and tweets has been so inspiring and heartwarming!

Basically, I just want to thank all of you so much. Even if you've only read my blog once, you've made it what it is today.

Also, I want to share some news with you all! I was just about to finish majoring in Psychology, and now I've decided to quit. This Autumn, I'm going to start training to become a makeup and beauty artist, and hopefully within a couple of years from now, I'll be successful. Maybe might even turn to making YouTube videos (possible by the end of the year).

I would never have had the guts to make this life-changing decision if it wasn't for my blog. Seriously. I never would've thought I could do something like this until I saw the feedback in my emails from you guys!


So, if you wanna make my day, you can comment, follow, tweet or email me :) All of my contact info is on my "Contact Me!" page. Also, if you don't have a Blogger account, you can now follow my blog by email if you go to the web version of my blog, it's on the right side of the page I believe :)

Big thanks,

xo, J.

Chalayan, I love you...

If you're in need of a dress that screams "IT'S TWO MONTHS UNTIL SPRINGTIME!", look no further. A designer, which I'm ashamed to say I've only just discovered, is the epitome of bright, floral colours. CHALAYAN. Today, I'm going to show you my favourite piece from the collection. It's mouthwateringly amazing and it's only £900. 

This Speed Flare printed cotton dress is innovative and flattering and matches perfectly with neons! I love this dress. So much. It's pretty, gives the perfect silhouette and is so spring/summery that it makes me want to curse the snow that's covering London today. The different patterns scattered across it means it can match your mood everyday. Personally, this dress makes me want to walk down a sunny street singing The Beatles' "Here Comes The Sun". THIS. DRESS. IS. MAGICAL.

What's your views? Comment, tweet or email me! All of my contact information is on my Contact Me! page, so check it out :)

xo, J.

Beauty Apps!

So, this year, I've jumped on the bandwagon of "Beautylish". This app is amazing. You can share beauty videos, pictures and start random conversations with a beauty question you have. It's so fascinating, and honestly, you can ask anything without sounding like an idiot.

BEAUTYLISH HAS NOT ASKED ME TO BLOG THIS, THIS IS MY OWN OPINIONS AND VIEWS.

xo, J.

P.s.: normal blog up later today. :)

MAC: Supercontinental.

I am OBSESSED with this MAC powder blush. Supercontinental is an amazing bright, cute coral that's perfect for brightening your winter wardrobe. It's Limited Edition so buy as many as you can quickly! This isn't really a blog, more of a "Buy It & Quick!" sort of thing. 

MAC HAS NOT PAID ME TO "SELL" THIS PRODUCT. NOR HAS ANY OTHER COMPANY. 

Just spreading my views. :) 


xo, J.