USA Haul - Sephora, Ulta & Macy's!

 I'd like to start off by apologising for the bad photo quality - my memory card has decided to give up on me and I haven't had a chance to grab a new one so my phone has had to suffice. Normal photos should return soon! Back to a far more exciting topic, as you can tell from the above photo I was feeling pretty spendy and may have placed a couple of orders for my mum to receive while she was out in the States. I didn't buy nearly as much as I thought I would from Sephora, instead preferring to buy more bits from Ulta and try out the products which just never seem to come over to the UK. Only two items I bought can actually be found here but the exchange rate made it hard to say no to them, saving substantial amounts. Read on to see the exciting goodies I got!

Origins Zero Oil Moisturiser

Origins Zero Oil - £24

Blessed with my dad's oily skin, I'm forever on the lookout for products to control the inevitable 12 o'clock shine that arise and so the Origins Zero Oil moisturiser seemed just perfect. I've been using it for a few months now and to be honest, haven't been all that impressed. Read on to find out why!

Back from Hiatus!

Now I know, I know, it's been a good few months since I've last posted and I know it's also be quiet on the Twitter/Instagram front but I would say I have a pretty good excuse for it; A-Levels. Nothing can prepare you for the horrors that are A-Levels, taking up all of your spare time and zapping all of your energy, hence the lack of posts. I stopped watching YouTube, reading blog posts, let alone writing them, as well as stopped wearing makeup as much.
This was all a bit of a shock to my system as I suddenly stopped having time to read blog posts as I ate my breakfast and just felt too exhausted to do my full skincare routing (for all of you cringing at this, no fear, I never went to sleep without cleansing and moisturising, I just skipped out all the steps in between!). 
So what I essentially wanted to communicate from this ramble is that I'm going to try to get back on track with more frequent posting because I really do miss it! I always pick up products and think about how much of a great review it would make but then remember I have no time - that's what I want to get back into! Starting soon I'll be posting a few more reviews, some wish lists and maybe even a couple of hauls. What can I say, my shopping habits have definitely not taken a backseat over these last few months of business...

150 Follower Giveaway - Benefit & Clinique!

Initially I had planned to schedule this giveaway but by the time I got everything organised, I had reached well over 150 and so I made it a little extra special! I want to thank each and every one of you for following Beauty for the Beauty, my special little corner of the internet. I made this blog because everyone else was sick and tired of hearing me blabber on about the latest Chanel launch or that new Benefit primer - this is a place where I can do all of that, as well as meeting lots of new people! 
I didn't really get into the swing of blogging until a few months ago, when I realised that I needed to connect myself to Bloglovin' and speak to other bloggers, not just expecting people to find my blog.

On to the actual giveaway, I have to admit that I'm quite jealous of whoever get this prize, I've had my eye on these for a while now! The lucky winner will get:
-Benefit's Gettin' Cheeky set
-Clinique Party Tips set
-Benefit It's Potent deluxe sample size
and I'll throw in some of my favourites too!

Terms and Conditions:
-The competition will run from 10/02/14 to 24/03/14
-All entrants must be 16 & over/have permission from a parent
-All entrants must be UK residents (shipping restrictions don't allow me to send nail polish internationally, sorry!)
-You must be following me on either Bloglovin'/GFC (I will check!)
-If the chosen winner does not reply to my email informing them of their prize within 48 hours I reserve the right to choose another


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Nuxe Reve de Miel

Nuxe Reve de Miel - £9.50

The second I set foot in Paris I dropped my bags in the hotel and sped off to City Pharma, list in hand. This product, Nuxe Rêve de Miel lip balm, has been something I've wanted to try out for a very long time. The only reason I held back was because it was quite expensive and I wasn't sure if I would like the scent. However, City Pharma sells this for the bargainous price of just €6, under £5! It doesn't smell like honey at all, more so like a chocolate orange, but it's not a cheap, artificial smell, it's just really lovely. 

It's a wonder product, with a thick consistency that doesn't leave a shine on your lips. It's not too thick for use during the day (believe me, I slather it on my lips every hour!) and could still be used at night. Personally, I use my Dior Crème de Rose at night because I like to have a really thick balm, but I would still use this.

Yes, it's quite expensive for an average lip balm, but this isn't an average lip balm! I think this little pot of joy will last for ages, making the price tag not so expensive. You can find it for slightly cheaper on Escentual - link. I would definitely recommend this for people with insanely chapped lips to lips in good condition, who just want to keep it that way.

Debenhams Winter Style Challenge

Image from the Debenhams website

Check me out, on a fashion roll! Don't worry, the beauty posts will resume as usual during the week. Today I'm making this post to enter the Debenhams Winter Style Challenge, which is an exciting opportunity where you have to make 2 style boards, one as a 'Winter Warmer' and the other as a more glam 'Party Look'. The winner gets a whopping £500 to spend at Debenhams and the two runners up get £50 each- I guess the season of giving isn't over yet!

My first look is the Winter Warmer which I made with the idea of being comfortable and cosy while still fashionable all the while. I love this teal jumper with a fun leopard print collar, which is stylish but warm, paired with a functional pair of thick cable leggings. 

I need this funnel neck coat, it's just so beautiful without being too flashy or over the top, just a simple black coat. I paired the outfit with a tan cross body bag which is quite small, just to fit the winter necessities (lip balm, tissues and sanitizer are a must!) as well as some ankle boots for some warmth. 

To brighten up the complexion, I added this blush highlighter to add some glow to a dull winter face, as well as this white snow-link top coat to make any colour just that bit more wintery. 

Oasis Collar Jumper - £38 here
Quiz Black Fleece Cable Leggings - £11.99 here
Wallis Black Funnel Neck Coat - £65 here
Oasis Xin Big Lock X Body Bag - £28 here

Faith Chocolate Leather Triple Buckle Low Ankle Boots - £52.50 here

Lancôme Blush Highlighter - £35 here

Illasmaqua Blizzard Christmas Nail Varnish - £14.50 here
Total = £244.99

My second look is the 'Party Look', which was so much fun to make. Debenhams have so many brands put together that it made it difficult to choose but also a lot of fun to see all the different styles. This is just a classic little black dress with a twist, the gold collar makes it a bit more dressy. 

The coat I paired it with is gorgeous, elegant and classy but don't you worry, animal lovers, it's faux fur! I added some chunky black courts which I think don't draw too much attention to themselves, all the while making the outfit understated but glamorous. To match the gold/sparkly theme I added this gold sequinned clutch with some dangly gold earrings and a chunky gold bracelet. 

For makeup, I chose this shimmery eye palette for a lovely wash of colour over the lids, as well as a glittery gold nail polish to add some glamour to those finger tips!

Iska Beaded Collar Dress - £32 here
Quiz Stone Rose Faux Fur - £49.99 here
Faith Black Double Tassel Trimmed High Court Shoes - £25 here
No. 1 Jenny Packham Designer Gold Embellished Clutch Bag - £33.75 here

Red Herring Polish Gold Round Disc Drop Earrings - £8 here

Betty Jackson Textured Gold Panel Stretch Bracelet - £12 here

Bobbi Brown Glitter Nail Polish in 'Chrome' - £11 here
Bobbi Brown Bronze Eye Palette - £35 here
Total : £206.74

Who would have thought that the 'Party Look' would cost less than the 'Winter Warmers' look? I hope you enjoyed seeing my winter picks, for whether you're having a lazy day in front of the telly or if you're going out to a party- I'm definitely part of the former. 

Favourite British Designer: Matthew Williamson

LFW SS'14 Show

This may seem like a strange post to be reading on Beauty for the Beauty but a little known fact is that I actually love fashion. Open up my cupboard and everything will come spilling out, it's that full. 

Today I'm posting as part of a competition for BLOGGERS[edit] (link) for the exciting opportunity to win entry to London Fashion Weekend, an event I've always wanted to attend.

My favourite British designer has got to be Matthew Williamson, his clothes are just gorgeous. Yes, it may be an expensive clothing line, but that doesn't stop me from ogling at the beautiful designs when I have so many other things to do!

He is originally from Manchester and then attended Central Saint Martins College in London but I think his clothes reflect the glamour and style of Paris. With titles such as Red Carpet Designer of the Year and Elle Designer of the Year he has a very impressive resume on the paper, but does he live up to that on the catwalk? Well, the answer is yes. 

His clothes are so chic and elegant but so wearable (if your purse will stretch far enough to buy one of his pieces!). Every catwalk show he puts on is bound to make you stare in awe at his beautiful designs, every one of them special in their own way.

In an interview he spoke about his clothes and said:
"My collections are known for their print, embellishment, attention to detail and kaleidoscopic colour. The designs encapsulate a bohemian spirit and a laid back sense of glamour."

Source - link

I love this b-e-a-utiful jumpsuit, with a bold yet simple design, and I love how it's paired with white heels- this is definitely something that I would wear. I'm incredibly tall, almost 6ft in fact, and it's so hard to find things to wear that aren't too short but still quite dressy, so jumpsuits are the way forward.

Embroidered Sweatshirt - link

I have a few picks from the website, too, some really gorgeous pieces. This ombre teal jumper with intricate embroidering on the front would look amazing paired with a pair of dark wash skinny jeans. It looks like it would be really comfortable and something that could be worn every day, not just on special occasions.

Winter Garden Organza Oversized Top - link

Getting into more Spring/Summer appropriate clothes, this oversized boxy fit shirt would look so chic with a pair of black skinny jeans, perhaps even wet look jeans. It could easily be worn as either a day outfit or a quick change of accessories and a darker lip could transform it into an evening outfit.

Winter Garden Organza Embroidered Skirt - link

Now for the item that I wish I could pull off but I know I could never in a million years make this work for me, and if I could it would be one single outfit, leaving this in the back of my wardrobe for months on end. Why can't my life be like Gossip Girl where they have an event to go to every weekend? Paired with a plain top and some matching heels, then you have yourself an amazing spring outfit.

Marais Oversize Tote - link

I can't write a fashion post without mentioning a bag, things I've been hoarding since I was about 5. This oversized tote bag is big enough to carry all of the junk that you probably don't need but you still put in just in case. The colours aren't boring but you wouldn't find them clashing with every outfit.

So, those were my picks- does anyone want to donate a few thousand grand to fund my Matthew Williamson obsession? The good new is, that for those of us on a budget like myself, Matthew Williamson designs a more affordable line for Debenhams which can be found here, currently on sale. Oh Matthew, you know just what to do. 

Don't forget to follow my new Twitter account here!

Best of 2013: Makeup

Since the beginning of December, I've been working on a mega list of all my favourite products of the year. This is the first of 2 posts, being all about Makeup Products/Tools and the other Skincare/Haircare/Bodycare. 

Without further ado, my 2013 favourites (and some very quick reviews!)

Best Primer: Smashbox Photo Finish Camera Ready primer, long lasting and oil-free, a great all-rounder product

Best Foundation: Benefit Hello Flawless Oxygen Wow foundation, lightweight and long lasting, as well as buildable coverage

Best Concealer: Benefit Boi-ing concealer, very heavy coverage that covers all scars and blemishes pretty well

Best Powder: Rimmel Stay Matte powder in 'Translucent', this doesn't make my face look all cake-y yet keeps shine at bay

Best Bronzer: NARS Laguna, my only bronzer but still a great product for adding a healthy glow to my face

Best Blusher: MAC Gingerly, this was a tough choice but I've been using this blusher throughout the whole year, it just works at any time of year

Best Eye Primer: Urban Decay Primer Potion, put this on and my eyeshadow doesn't budge at all (can also be doubled as a lip primer!)

Best Eyeshadow: Urban Decay Half Baked, without a doubt the best eyeshadow I've used all year, a lovely golden colour that adds a beautiful glow to the lids

Best Eye Pencil: Bobbi Brown Long Wear Eye Pencil in Smoke, great for the waterline to make an eye look more smokey

Best Mascara: Benefit They're Real and Maybelline The Rocket, I couldn't possibly pick between them, as they're both so volumising and lengthening

Best Brow Product: Anastasia Brow Gel, great for keeping my unruly brows in place!

Best Lipstick: NARS Dolce Vita, a colour that I think would suit all skin types with a moisturising formula

Best Lipgloss: Clarins Instant Light Natural Lip Perfector in 'Candy Shimmer' moisturising and a beautiful colour

Best Nail Polish: OPI Dulce de Leche and Nails inc. Holland Park Avenue, both so sophisticated and wearable all year round 

Best Nail Care Product: Sally Hansen Maximum Strength Instant Cuticle Remover, it makes cuticle care 10 times easier!

Best Tool: Real Technique Stippling Brush, great for blending in foundation seamlessly

Stay tuned for part 2, coming your way soon!

Bring on 2014!

Today is the 1st January 2014 (it feels so weird to write that!) and 2013 has come to an end. I've had such a lovely year meeting new people, trying new things and seeing new places- it's been an eventful one, that's for sure!

This year I...
...travelled to France, Germany, Italy, America, Jordan and Iceland
...tried Benihana Japanese restaurant in Picadilly Circus - amazing food and the chef cooks in front of you!
...bought too much makeup! But you all know that, don't you?
...laughed at Modern Family, one of the best comedy shows I've ever seen
...got addicted to Breaking Bad, one of the best overall shows I've ever seen
...spent too much time on YouTube and Bloglovin'
...made my blog, one of my favourite things to work on!

I don't usually do resolutions for the New Year but I decided that it could be a good way to keep me on track for the next 365 days!

Stay focused - This is a really general one but I mean this in all aspects of life. I'm the type of person who hates to just do one thing at a time. I mean, as I'm writing this post I'm watching The Vampire Diaries on another window. I have important exams this year, exams that I need to focus for- no more movie-watching while revising!

Be happier - Cheesy, I know, but I've found myself getting so wound up over small things that shouldn't really matter. I need to learn to let myself enjoy everything I do, rather than getting caught up in something that happened 5 months ago.

Blog more! - Blogging is something that I really love to do and I've discovered a whole new world of people who share the same interests as me. Although I only really got in the swing of it a few months ago, I know this is something I want to keep doing into the new year and more. 

Sorry for all the cheesiness in this post, but I hope everybody had an amazing Christmas and New Year break as well as having an even better New Year.