Selfridges Denim Lovers photoshoot

Last Friday I was thrilled to be invited to Selfridges in Birmingham to take part in a photoshoot for their Denim Lovers campaign. Along with six other Midlands based bloggers, I had a consultation with one of the resident denim experts Natalie who picked out for different pairs of jeans for me to try on. I ended up choosing this gorgeous light grey sateen super-skinny pair by J Brand which are completely different to what I would usually choose for myself. I usually like my jeans to be dark and high waisted like my Joni jeans, however I fell in love with these as soon as I put them on. Why do they have to have a £190 price tag?

After we'd got changed into our jeans (and I also borrowed this gorgeous Helmut Lang top) we headed down to the Beauty Hall to get our makeovers done. I had mine done by the lovely Julia at NARS who has done my makeup before and remembered me. She put a gorgeous aubergine coloured eyeshadow on and gave me a smokey eye finished off with a slick of eyeliner. I wanted to go for my usual bold lip colour so I chose one of the Satin Lip Pencils in Luxembourg. This is such a gorgeous colour and lasted hours, even through eating! It's now at the top of my wishlist and I also want to try out the other colours.

I'm really pleased with how the photos turned out (thank god I was wearing a nice bra!) and I can't wait to see the feature in the Birmingham Mail next week!

My Summer Face

 My skin has been a lot better recently, so I've been turning down the Double Wear in favour of the Maybelline Dream Fresh BB Cream. This offers a light coverage but still manages to even out my skin tone. It doesn't cover up any blemishes so this is where the MAC Studio Finish Concealer comes in which honestly covers everything and stays put all day. I use this on my undereyes but then I layer on the L'Oreal Lumi Magique Concealer Pen to highlight and brighten up my eye area. I also put this down the centre of my nose just to add a bit of highlight. To complete my base, I dust over a bit of my MAC Mineralize Skin Finish Natural just to set everything and to keep the shine at bay.

For my eyes I've been using my Maybelline Color Tattoo in Pink Gold as a base and then I've been using my MUA Heaven and Earth Palette. I use the first colour as a highlight, the third all over the lid and then the fifth on the bottom row in the crease to add a bit of definition. I then curl my eyelashes and apply Benefit's They're Real mascara*. CONTROVERSIAL OPINION: I know this is highly praised but I'm honestly just using it to use it up, I much prefer my cheaper Maybelline mascaras! I also use a MAC eyeshadow in Espresso to fill in my brows. I don't feel right unless I've done my brows!

On the apple of my cheeks, I've been applying NARS Orgasm for a flush of colour and a bit of a shimmer. Then, if I feel like I need it, I've also been using MAC Mineralize Skin Finish in Soft & Gentle to add a bit of a highlight to my cheekbones, nose and cupid's bow. To finish off the look, I've been going for a more neutral lip shade such as Oriflame's Giordani Gold Voluptous Lipstick in Chiffon Rose*.

NARS Orgasm - Review

NARS Orgasm - Selfridges, £21

A couple of weeks ago, whilst in Selfridges, I decided to pick up something I'd wanted for ages - NARS Orgasm. At £21, it's the most expensive blush I own but I believe it's definitely worth the price tag. Orgasm is a light pink blush with a peachy golden shimmer running through it. When applied, it blends easily and adds a lovely glow to your complexion without being glittery. The colour is highly pigmented and really buildable, I think that it is one of those products that would suit any skin tone.

I love the black packaging, it's so sleek and sophisticated but as it's made out of a rubbery material, it attracts a lot of dust. It's easy to clean them with a baby wipe though. I've heard a lot of horror stories about NARS blushes shattering in the pan so I haven't taken mine out in my make up bag with me yet as I'm so scared to break it.

What do you think of Orgasm? Does it live up to the hype?

Beauty Haul #2

L'Oreal Feria Paprika Power - MAC Rebel - MAC Studio Finish Concealer in NC15 - Nars Orgasm - NYC Bubblegum Pink - NYC Mint Macaroon - Real Techniques Blusher Brush - Boots 200 Clear Nails - Collection 2000 Look At Me - MUA Undressed Palette

Over the past couple of months I seem to be more into beauty and make up than I am clothes. Don't get me wrong, I still love clothes and fashion but when I've had spare money, I've been investing in lipsticks and blushers rather than skirts and shoes. These are just some things I've bought over the past few days (oops!) on shopping trips in Winchester, Birmingham and London. I'll be doing individual reviews of the products but if there's any you're paticularly desperate to see, let me know!

I've had a big sort out of all my clothes and I now have three big IKEA bags full of things I don't want. I asked if any of you would be interested in a blog sale and I had a few emails about it, so I'll start photographing things and hopefully that should be up in the next week or so.

I hope you're all well!