The Oscars Best Dressed

Easily one of my favourite days of the year is the Academy Awards. Unfortunately I was working the night of the awards so I had to catch up yesterday, but I have to say the outfit choices were utterly stunning.  Here are my favourite looks from the red carpet...

America Ferrera in Jenny Packham

I absolutely love the simplicity of this dress. It looks so comfortable and light, and the shade perfectly compliments her colouring. Everything from her accessories to her hair and makeup is simple yet beautiful.

Chloe Grace Moretz in Miu Miu

Well look who's grown up.  The floral print on this dress is what really makes it for me. It's dainty yet doesn't look like a pair of old curtains. I love how her slightly textured hair and ear cuff make it the perfect mix of edgy meets old school glamour.

Jamie Chung in Yanina Couture

What a beautiful dress! I love the contrast between the nude and midnight blue, with a little hint of sparkle. Imagine the amount of details that was adorned on this dress when seen up close. I also love the deep parted waves for a bit of old school Hollywood glamour.

Jennifer Aniston in Versace

Does this woman never age?! This nude, sparkly and figure hugging number is perfect for Jen. On anyone else I really don't think I would like this, but it just works on her. Her signature laid back hair lets the dress do all the talking.

Jennifer Lopez in Elie Saab

Is this not the most perfect dress you have ever seen?! This was my absolute favourite dress from the red carpet. It has perfect princessy vibes, every little thing about it is flawless. Bravo.

Reese Witherspoon in Tom Ford

I have to admit that monochrome isn't really my thing when it comes to dresses. However, this little beauty might have just changed the game for me. The perfect silhouette is really classy with just a hint of sexiness. Her hair and makeup are beautifully soft, which brings all eyes to the dress.

There were so many outfits that could have made it into the best dressed post but these were my favourite picks.

What was your best dressed?

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Makeup Revolution Fluid Blushers

I'm having a bit of a moment and buying all the blushers at the minute. It was something that I never really used to be bothered about when I first started wearing makeup, but now I'm obsessed with cheek products. 

The latest blush products to my collection are the Makeup Revolution Fluid Blushers. When they were first released I was definitely intrigued. So I quickly snapped up three shades out of the five and tried to figure out how best to use them.

As you probably guessed these are liquid in texture, and like nothing I own but I do imagine them to be similar to the Daniel Sandler Watercolor Blush. When I first tried them, I did think they were going to be too runny to work with, but once you get the hang of them, they are definitely worth it. I've found that the best way to apply theses to place a couple of drops on the back of your hand and then with your fingers or brush of choice, quickly apply them to the cheeks. One thing to note would be that they do set very quickly, so blend them as fast as possible to avoid any harsh lines. They add a subtle wash of colour to the cheeks which can be built up to as intense as you like.

The three shades that I have are Pink Sea, Malibu Ocean and Rush Me. They are all beautiful shades and have all been great additions in my collection. 

Pink Sea, is a soft, slightly blue toned pink which looks lovely paired with a soft focus highlighter. I find that this is the most youthful colour out of the range and would suit those with pale to medium skin tones.

Malibu Ocean is a beautiful shimmer bronze shade that is going to be perfect for the summer months. I've used this on top of my foundation to add a warm glow, which looks extremely natural, but in the summer I think this will look lovely mixed with foundation for a tinted glow.

The final shade I have is Rush Me, which is my favourite from the range. This is like a liquid version of Sleek Rose Gold blush or Nars Orgasm. A beautiful coral toned blush with golden shimmer that looks lovely on the skin. This has been my go to blush for the past few weeks.

I would definitely recommend these if you are wanting to add more blushes to your collection, or you want something a little different. 

You can purchase them from Makeup Revolution here for a steal at £3 each.

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Face Of The Day | Nineties Brown Ombre Lip

Ever since that Kylie Jenner selfie, everyone has gone mad for the revival of the nineties brown lip. I'll be honest, I did'nt really understand the hype of it as I just wasn't a brown lipstick sort of gal, but I have well and truly been converted. I have been wearing this makeup look for the past week, and so far I've been loving it! Its so simple and perfect for everyday, but still looks quite glam.

Base Products:

Benefit Porefessional 

Rimmel 25 Hour Nude Foundation

Seventeen On The Spot Concealer

MAC Select Sheer Pressed

Eyes:

MAC Soft Ochre Paintpot

Stila In The Light Palette (Bare, Bliss and Sandstone)

Rimmel Glam Eyes Liquid Liner

Revlon Lash Potion Mascara

Face:

Makeup Revolution Baked Bronzer in Ready To Go

Makeup Revolution Fluid Blusher in Rush Me

MAC Mineralize Skinfinish in Soft and Gentle

Lips:

Kiko Smart Lip Liner in Light Sienna

MUA Matte Lipstick in Fawn Fancy

MUA Velvet Lip Lacquer in Tranquility

I love this lip combo, as I think that it just compliments everything else so nicely.  It really has helped me get on the nineties revival band wagon. 

Do you like the brown lips trend? What is your favourite trend from the 90's?

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Updated MAC Lipstick Collection

There's no doubt that MAC Lipsticks are my beauty weakness. I love going to the stands in beauty halls and swatching all of the prettiness that is a MAC counter. A while back I posted my collection which you can see here. I've since added more and there have been some changes to the ones that I reach for the most so I thought it would be nice to share an updated collection.

L-R:

Creme Cup - This is by far my most worn out of all my lipsticks, not just MAC. It's the perfect milky pink which looks lovely with a smokey eye or for everyday wear. Cremesheen Finish.

Haute Altitude (LE) -  This was part of the Apres Chic collection a while back, and was my must have from the collection. A gorgeous pinky nude with blue undertones, great for making teeth look extra white. Amplified Finish.

Fanfare - This is another pink toned nude, but it does have a little more to it in terms of colour. It is much warmer than the previous two mentioned. This has become my go to for work meetings, as its just so easy wearing. Cremesheen Finish.

L-R:

Cut A Caper (LE) - From the Heavenly Creatures collection I believe that this was a repromote, and everyone seemed to go mad for it. This is a lovely, glossy coral that is my go to summer shade. I am using it sparingly though as I'm scared of running out! Lustre Finish.

Up The Amp - This beauty started my love affair with purple lipsticks. A purple with pink undertones, it does lean slightly cool and looks wonderful all year round. Amplified Creme Finish.

Impassioned - Admittedly this is not one that I reach for all that often. A yellow toned pink which looks perfect in summer. It is quite bright but not over the top in the slightest. I'm going to make an effort to wear this one more. Amplified Creme Finish.

L-R:

Girl About Town - This is my most favourite pink lipstick ever! A beautiful orchid shade with blue undertones that makes my teeth look much better than they really are. I love wearing this on nights out with winged eyeliner. Amplified Creme Finish

All Fired Up - This is another summer go to for me. A matte cross between orange and pink which looks stunning with a tan. I really love how this makes a statement without being too much. Retro Matte Finish.

Morange -  Definitly the brightest lipstick in my whole collection. I had a thing about orange lips last summer and this was quickly added to my collection. I do find it a little hard to wear so I tend to sheer this out, which I love the effect of. Amplified Creme Finish.

L-R:

Lady Danger - A bright orange/red mix is what everyone needs in their collection as an alternative red lip. This is extremely long wearing and is definitely another of my most worn. Matte Finish.

Russian Red - If there was ever an award for the most perfect red lip product, then this would win. A true red with blue undertones, it looks stunning whether its for a casual or glam red lip. Perfect paired with Cherry Lip Liner. Matte Finish.

Diva - This is the newest to my collection but it has quickly become a favourite. A deep berry red which looks perfect at this time of year. Extremely long wearing and a suit all shade. Matte Finish.

L-R:

Rebel - This purple/berry shade is a really lovely suit all shade. It looks so pretty and I really love it. It does look a little scary in the bullet, but on the lips it is so beautiful. Satin Finish.

Devils Food (LE) - Part of the Baking Beauties collection a while back. This chocolate brown shade looks terrifying both on the lips and in the bullet, but I use to warm up other shades. It is perfect for making my current nude lipsticks into the 90s brown nude that is on trend right now. Frost Finish.

So there is my full MAC Lipstick collection. They are definitely my beauty weakness, and I'll more than likely be adding more to my stash. 

They are available from MAC Cosmetics for £15.50 each.

What is your favourite shade? Any must haves?

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Reds True BBQ | Manchester

A few years ago, I was 19 years old and preparing to move over the Pennines from Leeds to Manchester, and a couple of weeks before I moved, I found out about Reds True BBQ opening their first restaurant in the city centre. I was absolutely determined to go, and knew that I would be going on at least one trip back to Leeds. Fast forward around 2 years and I was so excited to find out that one was opening in Manchester, my new home and I knew that I would have to go!

Me and Olly had a rare saturday together, as I normally work most weekends, so we decided that we would go on a little date to Reds. Let me tell you that we were not disappointed in the slightest. It was incredible. Upon arriving at the restaurant in Albert Square, you are greeted with the sweet and smokey smell of a typical BBQ pit. This smell should be made available to purchase because it something that I could have lingering all day. We were only a table of two and it was an hour and a half wait, which we were more than willing to do. The best thing is that you don't have to stay in the restaurant to wait for your table, you simply give a name and contact telephone number, and if they hav something sooner, they will give you a call. We just nipped into the bar next door for some cheeky cocktails, that way we weren't too far away. The decor of the inside is pretty amazing. If you try and imagine a church and a BBQ moulded into one genius building, then you would have Reds True BBQ. The menu is put together in such a way that I just did not know what to have. Everything just looks so delicious even on paper, so you can only imagine what it is like in reality.

The Sleepy James

The Juicy Lucifer (Minus the huge onion rings as Olly couldn't wait)

I eventually settled on the Sleep James. I couldn't work out and still don't know whether to describe this as a burger or a sandwhich, but whatever you choose to call it, it is still amazing. It consists of two sweet waffles in place of bread/bun, peppered bacon, burger cheese, slaw and a juicy fried chicken breast. The contrast between sweet and spicy was incredible and I couldn't stop eating it, even when I was so full I made sure to finish it because it was just so good. I picked a side of sweet potato fries as these are my obsession. They were perfectly crispy and complimented the Sleepy James to a tee. Olly picked the Juicy Lucifer burger which was right up his street. A brioche bun with all the trimmings, peppered bacon and a thick meaty burger with a twist. Inside the meat was a jalapeno cheese which oozed out like molten lava. His sides were skin on fries which were the perfect mix of crispy and fluffy, and the biggest onion ring that you have ever seen. Seriously, I'm surprised that they don't require planning permission they're that big. Unfortunately, we didn't have room for dessert, but I'm already eyeing up the cheesecake for next time. 

The price was not to be grumbled at, with it costing just £31 for the two of us. We have spent more than that when we go to Nandos, and this was much better quality and more filling. Well worth the money.

If you're ever in Leeds, Manchester or Nottingham then make sure that you make a trip to Reds because I can guarantee that you will not regret it! You can find out more about them on their website here.

Have you been before? What is your favourite dish?

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January Favourites

Slightly guilty feeling over here, as I can't actually remember the last time that I did a favourites post. In the past few weeks I've had a couple of products that really have stood out for me, So what better time to do a favourites post?

Seventeen Define and Conquer Kit:

I have been trying to get on the contour hype for a while now, but this is definitely the easiest product to use. The contour shade is just the perfect tone to carve out all of my features. The real winner for me in this kit is the matte highlight shade. It is just perfect for brightening all the right areas, and is something that I have been looking for in the drugstore.

Revlon Grow Luscious Lash Potion:

One of my makeup must haves is long fluttery lashes and this mascara gives me what I want! The brush is just perfection for adding the right amount of volume and length for everyday wear. I have th shade Blackest Black which is possibly the darkest and glossiest mascara I own. Holy Grail right here!

Urban Decay Lipstick in Naked:

For everyday wear, I tend to reach for a pinky nude lipstick with my go to often being Creme Cup from MAC. However, with the revival of the 90s nude shades, this has just the perfect mix of pink and brown tones. It goes extremely well with both a minimal or full on makeup look and is pretty much a suit all shade.

MAC Lipstick in Diva:

For days when I want my lips to make a statement, Diva is what I have reached for. A deep, matte berry red, it is perfect for this time of year. I love wearing this as it looks like I have spent loads of time on my makeup, even if I've only spent 10 minutes on it. Extremely long wearing, and again something that I think would suit everyone.

MAC MSF in Soft and Gentle:

When I want to fake a soft and healthy glow, this is what I will turn to. In the winter, my skin tend to look a bit flat so with the earlier mentioned contour kit and this, I no longer look half asleep. It provides the perfect amount of glow rather than glitter.

Marc Jacobs Eau So Fresh EDT:

Some of you might know that I work in Duty Free and am forever spraying myself with new scents or whatever takes my fancy on that day, so my perfume wish list is pretty huge. I've always been a fan of Marc Jacobs scents, but this is by far my favourite. With base notes of plum and cedarwood, and top notes of rose, violet and apple blossom, this really is the perfect transition scent. It's been the on scent that I use when I'm ready for a bit of spring, and it smells like favourite sweets. Parma Violets, bonus!

So those are my favourites for the past month. What have you been loving recently?

Makeup Revolution Colour Chaos Palette

Remember when Urban Decay released the Electric Palette and everyone seemed to go mad for it? I really wanted it and knew that it would be a great addition to my freelance kit but the hefty price tag on something that I wouldn't use everyday, talked me out of parting with my pennies. So when the geniuses over at Makeup Revolution launched the Colour Chaos palette, I knew that I was going to add it to my collection.

Like the rest of the Salvation Palettes, this includes 18 shades, 12 shimmer and the rest matte. There are pretty perfect dupes for all of the shades in the Urban Decay Electric palette, plus some extra shades thrown in for good measure. I think that there are a couple of repeated shades from other MR revolution palettes. For example, there are a couple of neon shades that are pretty similar to shades from their Acid Brights and the Dia De Los Muertos Palettes. 

The pigmentation is great for such a budget palette. As usual the shimmer/metallic shades perform better than the mattes, but even on this occasion, the mattes are pretty good too. I really rate all of the palettes from MR and this one is no exception. I'm going to be having a play around with some of the shades and see what looks I can come up with, but when I have worn this, they have lasted a good 8 hours with a primer.  

This is a beauty and will set you back a very purse friendly £6 from the Makeup Revolution website or selected Superdrug stores.