Top 3 MAC Lipstick & Lip Liner Combos

Monday, June 20, 2016

If you're a makeup addict then there's probably an 85% chance that you own at least one MAC lipstick in your collection. With a range of formulas varying from matte to lustre and satin to cremesheen, there really is something available for everyone. And if you really want that pout to 'pop' pair with one of the matching lip liners and you'll have those Kylie Jenner looking lips in no time! Plus, you can't forget that ever so famous cake like scent







Matte - Velvet Teddy // Spice Liner:
Velvet Teddy, ah the cult classic. However, this is one of those shades that I think looks different on everybody dependant upon your skin tone. Before I purchased this I imagined it to be a medium toned brown but it's actually quite dark against my paler skin tone. For me personally, matte shades are the longest wearing formula out of the entire MAC range, my lips are however very prone to dryness and so I love pairing this with the Benefit Dandelion lipgloss to add a touch of moisture to my lips. 

Although Velvet Teddy features a reddish undertone, Spice (a warm toned coffee-like brown) is the perfect lip liner combination for this shade. I like to focus VT more towards the centre of the lip to create an ombrè effect. 


Satin - MAC RED // REDD Liner:
If you're looking for a deep cherry red then this is the perfect combination for you. This satin finish glides onto the lips with ease and when the lip liner is used this helps to avoid any issues with bleeding which as I'm sure you'll know with red lipsticks, the struggle is real! For a satin finish, I was so impressed with the pigmentation of this and if paired with a lip sealant you've treated yourself to a moisturising yet long lasting lipstick formula. 


Cremesheen - Creme D'Nude // Naked Liner:
This is one of those shades that if it wasn't a cremesheen formula it would probably give the illusion of 'foundation lips' simply due to how pale of a nude this is. With peach undertones and a glossy finish this makes for the perfect every day nude lippie and is my go to on most days of the week. Outlining the lips with Naked liner creates the appearance of a fuller and more defined looking lip, especially if you have a paler skin tone like myself; this shade can become almost lost alongside your skin tone without the use of a lip liner. 





I'm always on the hunt for new MAC lippies to add to my collection, leave your favourites and lip liner recommendations in the comments below! Until next time,



How many MAC lipsticks do you own?!





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Smile Your Way Through Each Day!

Wednesday, June 8, 2016

In association with Aquafresh.



National smile month commences between the 16th May until the 16th June. The campaign aims to highlight the importance of oral health whilst promoting a happy and healthy smile. I was lucky enough to receive this gorgeous hamper (see above!) courtesy of Aquafresh and the launch of their newest range 'Aquafresh: Intense Clean'*. 



The range aims to provide your teeth and mouth with up to 8x the freshness and double the cleaning power of a regular toothpaste range. So how exactly does it work? Unlike other toothpastes, the intense clean range features micro-crystals which are up to 5x smaller than a regular toothpaste, making it easier to thoroughly clean those much harder to reach places. The intense clean mouthwash additionally offers an active fluoride which strengthens tooth enamel from the inside out, helping to protect cavities and keep teeth looking smile ready! Lastly, the toothbrush itself features three precision cleaning circles and a wave cut bristle configuration that adapts to the shape of your teeth to ensure it gets into those hard to reach places. 

Did you know that fluoride has been proven to reduce dental decay by at least 40%?!

From trialling the range over the course of the past three weeks, I have found my teeth have been left with a fresh, clean feeling which lasts. The circular shaped toothbrush has made brushing my teeth much easier than with a regular toothbrush, using a circular motion; the circular shaped bristles allow me to give my teeth an intricate clean, leaving me with a whiter and brighter smile! For me personally, a smile really can say a thousand words so it's super important for me to have my teeth looking photo ready at all times and the Aquafresh Intense Clean* range has really helped me with that. 

Did you know that 61% of people are attracted to people based on their smile alone?! For more fun facts and information about National Smile Month, please see here.


So now you know how to boost that healthy smile of yours, what is it that actually makes you smile? 
I smile because..
  • 'Good morning' texts.
  • When I turn the radio on and the song I was thinking of is currently playing.
  • After a good workout at the gym. 
  • I've brushed my teeth!

Don't forget to head over to my Instagram to see my smile!
Until next time,



What has made you smile this month?!


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DISCLAIMER: This post is sponsored. Any products which have been sent to me for review have been marked with an asterisk (*). All opinions however, are my own. 
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Fake Nothing With Gemporia

Wednesday, June 1, 2016

In association with Gemporia.
Grab yourself a cup of your favourite hot beverage and put your feet up as it's about to get real deep on Clarke Couture today. 





Founded by husband and wife; Steve and Sarah Bennet, the pair's joint vision for Gemporia was to create a jewellery brand which embodies individuality, exclusivity and the finest quality. The duo actively work closely with both the charities and communities in the areas where which their gems are sourced to help create a better life for those communities in return for sourcing rare gems in such areas. The sterling silver ring* photographed above for example, features 0.38 carats of blue sapphire sourced from Sri Lanka. I am so grateful to have received such a beautiful item of jewellery, the miniature sapphire stones really reflect the utter minimalist within me. The team is able to give back to such communities through the founding of its Colourful Life Foundation. The charity focuses on providing health and education facilities for the people in the areas in which they work. You can find out more about the charity and its ongoing projects in more detail here. 

The message of the Gemporia brand is to 'fake nothing' by denouncing the fakes and mass produced synthetics which they believe have confused the jewellery market for generations. I became quite inspired by this message and felt it offered a metaphor for something else. We as women and even men can embody the Gemporia brand as a symbol of confidence, to be yourself and to fake nothing because at the end of the day, nobody can be you better than you, yourself. 



"Gemporia jewellery is for the body, the mind and the soul and you are spiritually naked without it."



And to help spread the positivity of faking nothing and keeping things real, I want us all to list three things about ourselves which we love. I'm keeping things real and being myself because
  • I love my eyebrows. 
  • I love my smile.
  • I love my long hair. 
But keeping it real isn't just about embracing the things you're confident and happy with about yourself. Embracing and accepting the things you aren't as happy with can be a be a big step and I'm personally extremely insecure about most things. But,
  • I love that I can be shy at first. It keeps people intrigued.
  • I love my blemishes because those marks are what make me, me.
  • I love my boobs. Not having a cleavage has always been something I've hated but I can embrace this. I'm able to wear low cut tops without revealing anything. I am able to long and dainty necklaces which fit perfectly down the middle of my chest. 

Love who you are, embrace who you are and most importantly when you wear your Gemporia jewellery look at it as a reminder to 'fake nothing'. 
You can shop my Gemporia ring here.

*RING SIZING*
You can find your perfect ring size by using the Gemporia ring sizer app, available to download for free from the app store. Simply search for 'ring sizer'. The app works simply by choosing your region and placing a ring which fits perfectly on your index finger and placing this onto the circle on the screen which can be made bigger or smaller depending on the size of your ring. The circle which your ring fits perfectly around is the size needed for you. I found this super helpful as I am rubbish at guessing my size online! 
- For reference I am a size 52 in a Pandora ring and ordered a P-Q ring from Gemporia. For more information on ways to find your perfect fit, please visit here.



What do you love about yourself?!
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DISCLAIMER: ANY ITEMS WHICH HAVE BEEN SENT TO ME HAVE BEEN MARKED WITH AN ATERISK (*). ALL OPINIONS HOWEVER ARE MY OWN. 
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