Tag: ootd

Dolly and Dotty Fashion.

Whenever I see photos of Old Hollywood Stars, I’m always reminded of one thing in particular, how truly timeless they are. So many of the images look like they could have been captured within this century and with vintage inspired dresses being readily available from modern stores, it just goes to show that the fashion from the 1940s and 1950s have never gone out of style.

Another Retro Style Fashion Brand I recently discovered is the simply gorgeous, Dolly and Dotty! Their beautiful fashions range from UK sizes 6 – 24, offering a huge variety for many customers. What I absolutely love about this Brand is that each style of dress has a different name, with many colours and patterns on offer. Therefore, if you have a favourite choice, you can simply click on that specific name and look at all the different versions available. However, with all of the products being so stunning, it’s no easy task choosing just one favourite dress, but, that’s definitely not a bad thing!

Ultimately, I finally narrowed my top picks down to three different styles and names; Annie, Natalie and Katherine. I wanted to select three significantly different dresses that simply had one thing in common – Vintage Style!

The Annie Retro Lace Floral Swing Dress I chose was the gorgeous combination of Pink and Grey. As soon as I saw this beauty, which is currently in the newly released section, I knew that I had to add it to my wardrobe. I think the colours together create a beautiful mix and are perfect for the Christmas Winter Season! I can’t even emphasize how intricate and awe inspiring the detail on the dress is, it definitely exudes Flapper Vibes and makes me feel like I would fit perfectly in a Speakeasy Bar! My favourite style of dress to wear is most definitely a swing style, as not only does it fit beautifully, it’s comfy too and no one can deny that’s not a must have!

The Natalie Retro Floral Swing Flamingo Story Dress, is quite possibly one of the best things I have seen in a long while. Not only is it a beautiful Peppermint Green, which is one of my best loved colours to wear but, it features multiple Flamingos, with the pink shade complimenting the green wonderfully. This item is amazingly in the sale section at the moment and the only reason I can assume why is because people may possibly be intimidated by the shade, which is such a shame as it’s absolutely stunning! The sweetheart neckline is another one of my favourite styles, as it’s so classically vintage and truly flattering for everyone. I’ve said it before and as we know I’m about to say it again, the little details are to me, the best part of clothes and the gathered bust and button detail is just perfection.

Last but not least in my wonderful trio of dresses is the Katherine Long Sleeve 50’s Swing Dress, which I chose in the Black/Pink/Gold Floral shade. With the Winter very much here, I really thought a long sleeved style would be most definitely appropriate and the added bonus of not needing a cardigan was also a plus too! The gorgeous pattern is so reminiscent of the Classic Hollywood Era and I feel is very transitional from both day to night. I’m all about accentuating the waist and the Katherine dress comes with a belt attached, which can be fastened either at the front or the back. Furthermore, when a dress has hidden secret pockets, you know that it’s most definitely a keeper!

Please note, I pride myself in making sure I write honest reviews and although I was fortunate enough to be gifted these items, I was not told to say any of the following statements I have made.

Lastly, a huge thank you to Polly from Dolly and Dotty for making this collaboration possible, I honestly can’t recommend them enough. Their clothes are such high quality and truly pieces of art, they make a modern girl feel very much like her true vintage self!

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TopVintage Retro Boutique Fashion.

As someone who lives her life in the 1940s/1950s Aesthetic, it truly brings me so much joy when I come across Modern Vintage Style Fashion Brands, the latest one being the beautiful, TopVintage Retro Boutique. This amazing Company was founded nine years ago and has since continued to grow from strength to strength, receiving many awards and recognition for all of their hard work.

Furthermore, not only does TopVintage stock over 40 Retro Brands, it features a huge variety of vintage style clothes ranging all the way from the 1920s to the 1970s. The main inspirations for Angelique, the creator of TopVintage are these four incredible Icons, Marilyn, Brigitte, Sophia and Audrey. The irony behind this is that all four of these Old Hollywood Stars, (one in particular – I’m sure you can guess who!) just happen to be some of my favourite ladies – a coincidence? I like to think not!

Therefore, as soon as I came across, The Florence Dress In Winter Red I knew that I simply had to add this beauty to my wardrobe! Not only do I love wearing red, this particular shade is without doubt a huge favourite of mine, especially in Lipstick form – which I’m sure you may have noticed. I just adore when a dress is fitted in all the right places, but is still comfy to wear all day long – people may say that beauty is pain however, The Florence Dress proves this no longer has to be the case!

Although this dress is described as 1950s style, it’s incredibly unique in that it features so many trademarks from each decade! The butterfly sleeves give me 1970s vibes, the pleated bust takes me back to the 1940s, whilst the  simple but eye catching waist detail oozes 1950s glamour. With a fully lined top, no zippers or buttons and 95% viscose material, you can guarantee to look and feel like you’ve stepped out of the Silver Screen! However, if the Winter Red colour isn’t your shade, you can always choose black and remember, it’s impossible to go wrong with a Little Black Dress!

Anyone who knows me will be know that I wear dresses pretty much every day, therefore, it’s just wonderful when you find a dress that is perfect for both Day and Night! The Florence Dress can easily be dressed up for a night out or dressed down for a simple day, it’s all about the added accessories and style. To complete the Vintage Look, I decided to pin curl my hair and style the front pieces up into Victory Rolls, with a few added red floral clips to finish the Retro Style.

Not only is the quality of the TopVintage dresses beautiful, the packaging and overall aesthetic is so detailed and definitely doesn’t go unappreciated! I especially love the adorable gifts included in the parcel; a mini compact mirror and sweets, such a unique concept and thoughtful idea! I truly could spend hours browsing through their website, not only does it feature such a huge variety of dresses, there is Swimwear, Beauty, Nightwear and Accessories to purchase also! Every item available on there is inspired by Classic Hollywood and makes you feel like a true Vintage Star.

Lastly, a huge thank you to Anne and Laura at TopVintage Boutique for making this Collaboration a reality!

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Sunshine In Saint Tropez.

As someone who is a huge fan of Classic Cinema and Blonde Bombshells, one place that I simply had to visit during my stay in Cannes was the stunning, Saint Tropez. This beautiful place was made famous by French’s most famous Film Star, Brigitte Bardot and has also been her home for almost sixty years! 

Sadly, I may not have had the pleasure of seeing BB herself, but, it’s very clear how loved and respected she is by the people of Saint Tropez – her beautiful face is everywhere! One of my favourite French Films is probably Brigitte’s most famous and iconic one; And God Created Woman (1956) and as it was pretty much all shot in Saint Tropez, it was a pretty incredible experience to literally walk in the Sex Kitten’s iconic footsteps. I bet when Roger Vadim and Brigitte were making this movie over sixty years ago, they had no idea of the huge impact they were going to have on this small little fishing village!

One of the things I really wanted to see whilst in Brigitte’s chosen home was the Musée De La Gendarmerie Et Du Cinema, also known as The Gendarmerie and Cinema Museum. Currently showing there until January 2018 is the, Brigitte Bardot; Myth Of Saint Tropez, which is a whole photography exhibition dedicated to BB herself. This was an amazing experience for me to witness and it also featured a few of Brigitte’s actual film clothing, an original portrait and autographs! My only criticism was I wish it had been bigger – the more BB the better! Sadly, I realized after visiting that there was a second floor in the building which also featured a permanent Brigitte section with other French Actresses. Therefore, I may just have to return!

Walking around Saint Tropez in the beautiful sunshine was such a wonderful memory for me, it was truly like a treasure trove, with so many amazing spots to discover. Whilst exploring the streets of Saint Tropez, I stumbled across this incredible Artist, known as Cserg, with most of his work featuring Brigitte and autographed by the lady herself! Sadly, his shop was closed and I didn’t get to meet him, but you should definitely visit his website and appreciated his incredible work. 

However, even if you’re not a BB Fan like myself, Saint Tropez is so aesthetically pleasing and perfect for photographers or scenery lovers. Ultimately, I only wish I’d have been able to have spent more time there as I don’t feel I got to appreciate 100% of what Saint Tropez has to offer. Although, I did see so many amazing things in one afternoon – so, there is a silver lining! 

Overall, I was most definitely impressed with this beautiful village and it without doubt met all of my expectations. It’s truly so heartwarming to see how over half a century later, the citizens recognize how much Brigitte has done for their home and without doubt made it a household name. On Brigitte’s 83rd Birthday, Saint Tropez will be unveiling their sculpture of their Blonde Bombshell, which will reside outside The Gendarmerie and Cinema Museum – a beautiful tribute for a beautiful legend.

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Vivien of Holloway Fashion.

Before I even start to talk about Vivien of Holloway the Brand, I simply have to say how much I love that the lady herself, Vivien, spells her name just like one of my Old Hollywood Favourites, Vivien Leigh. If you don’t know who she is, I’d advise checking IMDB as soon as possible. Inspirations aside, now that I’ve shared my little Fan Girl moment, it’s time for me to focus on another favourite subject of mine; Vintage Fashion!

Vivien of Holloway was founded in 2000 by the lady herself, who from a young age had huge enthusiasm for 1950s Fashion and almost twenty years later, it has became a major phenomenon for all Vintage Lovers like myself! One of the unique things about Vivien of Holloway is that all their clothes follow vintage sizing, which continues the authenticity of creating wonderful reproductions from the era. I think this is such a unique concept, but definitely important to mention as if you know anything about Old Hollywood Fashion, you’ll know how different sizing was.

Research shows that the majority of sizes from the vintage era now vary by two, for example, I’m a UK Size 8 and my Vivien of Holloway dress is a Vintage Size 12 – with the measurements being 34-26-38. Although my hips are roughly 34-35 inches, the garment I’m wearing is fitted on the bust and waist but flared on the hips, so this didn’t affect the fitting.

Technical information aside, as my favourite eras for fashion are the 1940s and 1950s, Vivien’s dresses are an absolute dream and honestly, if I could afford to buy all the dresses – I’m pretty sure I would! There is so much variety in style, colour, length and pattern so I can pretty much guarantee there’s something for everyone on this amazing website.

As soon as I saw the, “1950s Halterneck Midnight Rose Dress“ I knew that I simply had to have this in my wardrobe! Floral patterns are without doubt my favourites to wear, I love recreating the 1940s and 1950s look, it makes me feel like my true self. Furthermore, it just so happens that pink is the colour I adore the most and roses are the flowers that have a special place in my heart. Plus, with the base colour being black, this adds further class and glamour by creating a bold shade contrast.

At £89.00, the clothes may not be the cheapest available to buy, however, if you want an authentic vintage reproduction and a beautifully made product, then every penny is truly worth it. This dress is simply made for the Summer Season and if you’re like me and live in dresses – you might as well wear it all year round! I love that Vivien’s dresses have so much versatility, not only would this look great for a Party, you could also happily wear it for a Picnic on a lovely sunny day. Plus, with the cotton fabric, you’ll feel comfortable all throughout the day and the stunning boned bodice creates extra curves and definition, giving you the ultimate 1950s Pin Up figure!

Although the dresses don’t come with petticoats or belts, there are a huge number of choices and colours to choose from on their website. However, if you don’t fancy spending money on further accessories, there’s no need to worry as the clothes look just as lovely without – it’s just great to have more options and Vivien of Holloway definitely has them!

Lastly, a huge thank you to Vivien herself for creating such an incredible Brand for all the Old Souls and Vintage Lovers!

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Lindy Bop Fashion.

One of the great things about Social Media, is being able to discover new things and especially if you’re me, finding Vintage Style Modern Fashion Brands like the amazing, Lindy Bop! Founded in 2011, Lindy Bop has gone from strength to strength in becoming a huge favourite for Vintage Lovers like myself and is available to buy worldwide. The great thing about 1940s and 1950s clothing is that it’s truly timeless, with many pieces looking like they were made yesterday. Over half a century on, hundreds of clothes are still inspired each Season by the bygone days of Classic Hollywood. Therefore, when you like to pretend you’ve just left Graumanns Chinese Theatre on the arms of Clark Gable, discovering a Brand like Lindy Bop is simply a dream come true!

There is a huge selection of gorgeous designs to browse through online and I could honestly spend hours doing so! From pencil skirts to my favourite floral prints, there truly is something for every body, even if you’re not into the whole Vintage Fashion, which is incomprehensible to little old me, but, each to their own! The two dresses that I simply had to choose were the following, “Lorelei” Tropical Pin Up Floral Print Halterneck Swing Dress and “Nadia” Print Tropical Bird Print Cotton Swing Dress. Both are just £30, yes, I really did just say that. In fact, my two favourites are currently on sale and just £15 each – that’s basically two amazing dresses for one incredible price!

What is really amazing about Lindy Bop’s dresses is that they look exactly as they’re photographed, there’s no colour variation or style differences – what you see really is what you get. Furthermore, sizing is most definitely accurate, so you know that you can stick to what you normally wear.

The Lorelei Dress had won me over by just the name alone, Marilyn fans will understand my excitement straight away! Not only is it the perfect summer clothing, with a gorgeous vibrant tropical pattern – it features real pin up drawings by Roy Best and Jules Erbit! I actually didn’t even realize these amazing works of art were even on the dress until it arrived – so you can imagine how overjoyed I was! Another huge bonus about the dress is it has two side pockets, something which is pretty much essential but sadly quite rare. I absolutely adore the sweetheart neckline and flared style skirt, it’s so very flattering for all shapes and sizes and quintessential vintage. What stands out the most on the Lorelei has to be the stunning halterneck bow, which is ultra feminine. Ultimately, I cannot fault this gorgeous clothing.

The Nadia Dress is made from breathable quality stretch cotton fabric, a must for the Summer Weather, especially if you’re taking it with you on Vacation. Not only is the style incredibly comfy but it’s beautifully fitted, what more could you ask for?! My favourite sweetheart neckline is once again present however, this time it is accompanied with cap sleeves that add definition to the style. Once again, side pockets are designed into the dress, but are discreetly concealed so they don’t stand out or take away from the style. With the flared skirt, you have plenty of room to twirl around like a 1950s Princess and there’s definitely no feeling of being restricted or uncomfortable.

I am overjoyed with Lindy Bop’s Clothes, they are made with such good quality, have a signature style and are available for an incredible price – what’s more to love!? I can’t thank Lindy Bop and in particularly Jade, for making this collaboration happen and I will definitely be adding many more dresses from this amazing Brand to my wardrobe in the not too distant future!

Please note, I pride myself in making sure I write honest reviews and although I was fortunate enough to be gifted these items, I was not told to say any of the following statements I have made.

Lastly, a huge thank you to Lindy Bop for making a Modern Vintage Girl’s dream come true!

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Beauty Boulevard & Glitter Lips.

Makeup is without doubt one of my favourite things and being the girlie girl I am, adding a little sparkle is always a huge plus. Therefore, when browsing all things beauty related on Instagram, I stumbled upon the dream; Beauty BLVD’s Glitter Lips. That’s right, glitter for your lips – a sparkling pout like no other! As soon as I saw them I basically felt like I could recreate Dorothy’s Ruby Slippers on my lips and let’s be honest, who doesn’t want to do that? There really is no limit in the world of makeup!

Beauty Boulevard are the first Brand to revolutionize the Glitter Lips formula and I am so happy for this product to my first experience to use for creating this amazing look. Not only does it look absolutely incredible, it’s long lasting for up to eight hours and is easy to apply – in just three easy steps. Furthermore, Glitter Lips are kiss, drink, smudge and waterproof, so it’s safe to say my expectations are pretty much through the roof.

With over 18 colours available, there is a huge variety to choose from and so many bold and creative looks to come up with. If you’re not ready to be this adventurous with makeup then you probably wont be adding a Glitter Lip to your collection anytime soon, but they’re are some gorgeous subdued shades too. I was kindly gifted the gorgeous shades, Forbidden and Vintage Pretty – both are absolutely stunning and I can’t thank Beauty Boulevard enough for picking colours I would choose myself! The Glitter Lips are £12.50 to buy and for this amount you receive the gloss bond, glitter shade and applicator brush. Personally, I feel this is a pretty good price for such a unique product and you get everything you need in one amazing kit!

The products all have such captivating names, which ironically enough is one of my favourite things about makeup. Therefore, I discovered the icing on the cake when looking through the shades and seeing a stunning red called, Ruby Slippers – what are the chances?!

Psychic abilities aside, if that wasn’t enough, Beauty Boulevard kindly sent me one of their Trinity Tri Colour Lip Tint’s in the shade Lust, from the Confessions range. Each one is created with Coconut Oil, Jojoba and Beeswax, which is the must have combination for that perfect pout.  As described, this gorgeous lip tint features not one, but three colours – a coral, pink and purple, which blend together to leave your lips feeling highly moisturized and glossy. As stated before, this isn’t a bold, dramatic lipstick – it is a lip tint, so  if you’re after a statement eye catching lip then this probably isn’t for you. However, if you like a more subtle, everyday sheen with a hint of colour then this is definitely for you!

Thankfully, creating the Glitter Lips turned out to be a lot easier than I was expecting, which is another bonus! All you need to do is to follow the four steps; make sure your lips are dry and product free. Next, apply the glue onto your bottom and top lip, but separately and wait for it to change from white to clear. Once this has happened, then take the brush and dip it into the glitter pot and create the iconic look! Lastly, dust anyway any extra or unwanted product. Ultimately, I was surprised by how pigmented the glitter was on my lips, a little really does go a long way! Also, if you’re worried about it falling off easily – it’s actually really tough to remove, which if you ask me, is a very good thing! The Glitter Lips will definitely be staying put all night long.

Although it may feel a bit strange at first, (I mean it’s not every day you put glitter on your lips, is it?) once the product has all been applied and has set, then you quickly become accustomed to it. Both shades look exactly as they do on the website, so you can be sure you’re getting the desired colour. Furthermore, Beauty Boulevard’s products are all cruelty free, meaning not only are they interested in producing high quality beauty buys, but they do it in a kind and humane way.

Please note, I pride myself in making sure I write honest reviews and although I was fortunate enough to be gifted these items, I was not told to say any of the following statements I have made.

Lastly, a huge thank you to Abi from Beauty Boulevard for gifting me these amazing products!

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Misslyn Cosmetics.

One of the great things about Makeup is that it’s constantly growing and changing, with many new Brands being created and discovered every week. Therefore, it was with wonderful surprise, that I opened my post last week and discovered an unexpected Blogger Package! The parcel was from Misslyn Cosmetics, a Brand that was completely new to me and aesthetically, is my absolute dream.

Misslyn Cosmetics was founded in Italy over 30 years ago and is now distributed by Chleo Enterprises. For UK fans like myself, it can be purchased online from the wonderful Beauty Bay.

As soon as I saw the beautiful products I’d been so kindly gifted, I fell in love with them straight away – even before trying anything out! The packaging has a gorgeous retro vibe, reminding me of amazing Brands such as, Benefit Cosmetics and The Balm Cosmetics.

Misslyn aim to release a new Collection every six weeks – which is already incredibly impressive if you ask me! Plus, as I mentioned before, I was kindly gifted the perfect summertime makeup; their new Festival Vibes Collection. These products are simply a must for the Summer Season, when practically every week there is a different Festival happening. However, fear not, if you  love the Festival look but aren’t going to any then don’t worry – you can still fit this Collection into your weekend look or if you’re like me – every day!

The Festival Vibes Collection features the following items, Lip Candy Palette: Red Kiss Edition, Eye Love It Eyeshadow Palette: Eye Got It From My Mama, Nail Polish No. 139: Just Be Free, Nail Polish 394A: Endless Road and Jewellery Body Tattoos No.6: Mystery Land.

What’s wonderful about all of the makeup is it’s perfect for carrying around in your bag all day, they’re petite and easy to store!

If I had to choose a favourite product from the Collection it would have to be the Lip Candy Palette: Red Kiss Edition. There are two lip palettes available, a Red Kiss as shown and a Pink Kiss, so if you’re not a rouge lover like myself, there’s always another option! The palette comes with six different shades, which saves you carrying around a million lipsticks and prevents you losing any too – huge bonus! The colours are as follows: Popcorn Lovers, Candy Cane, Cherry Glaze, My Sugar, Honey Pie and Soda Pop; definitely a theme of all things sweet, which I love. I don’t know about you, but a good product name is a big plus for me and this palette without doubt passes that test! Furthermore, only three of the shades are hugely red, the other three have a brown and nude tone, so there’s even more options to mix and match with. Last but not least, the palette comes with a mirror and a lip brush, two very important things to have when applying lipstick and especially when you’re at a Festival.

Lately within the world of makeup, it seems that everyone is loving eyeshadow palette, myself included, although a lot of them are very big and not easy to travel with. However, the Eye Love It Eye Shadow Palette is the perfect product for on the go, not only is it a great size, it also features six different shades! As with the Lip Palettes, there are also two different ones available, Eye Got It  From My Mama and Eye Got My Eyes On You. Both products feature matte and shimmer colours, which are perfect both separately and together, giving you plenty of options. The eyeshadow names are: Daddy’s Girl, Daddy’s Darling, Daddy’s Credit Card, Mama’s Advise, Mama’s Favorite and Mama’s Genes. How adorable!? Within the compact there are three bold shades and three neutral shades, I usually wear a lighter shadow shade to contrast with my bold eyeliner, so I will definitely be using those frequently! I’m also excited to experiment with the bolder shades and branch out of my comfort zone.

If you’re like me and don’t have any art on you, then the Jewellery Body Tattoos are perfect for trying something new! They are all temporary, so you can pick and choose which ever is suitable for you at a certain time and know that it will last for five days. Two products are available in the Festival Collection; No.5 Indian Spirit and No.6 Mystery Land. If you’re after a bold, colourful look then I’d definitely go for No.5 Indian Spirit and if you want a more subtle look then I’d choose No.6 Mystery Land. My personal preference would be the former, however, both feature metallic gold and silver luster that reflect light, which is such a cool idea! Plus, they’re quick to apply and pain free – what could be better?

The last products I was kindly gifted from the Festival Vibes Collection are two Nail Polishes; Just Be Free and Endless Road. There are two other shades available from this specific range, but if they aren’t to your liking then there’s sixty other polishes to choose from – so plenty of choice! Just Be Free is a beautiful coral summer shimmery nude, definitely the perfect shade for this season and the daytime. Endless Road is a nude shimmery shade which contrasts wonderfully with Just Be Free and would be just right for the night. Both have a ultra glossy finish and dry in just sixty seconds! Furthermore, the polishes features a special widespread applicator brush which is meant to adapt to the shape of your nails, meaning it can be applied in one swipe. I can’t wait to test this out!

For today’s look I chose to wear the shades, Candy Cane as a base coat and Cherry Glaze over the top. Both colours glide on perfectly and are very pigmented with a matte but glossy finish. Plus, did I mention they smell absolutely gorgeous too?! For my eyes I wanted to create a subtle summer glow, that would contrast with my winged eyeliner. So I used the shade, Mama’s Genes for the overall base coat, Daddy’s Credit Card for my eyelid and Mama’s Favorite for above. Each shade is pigmented but buildable and is nice and simple to apply. Ultimately, I can’t wait to try out all of the shades and create more looks!

Please note, I pride myself in making sure I write honest reviews and although I was fortunate enough to be gifted these items, I was not told to say any of the following statements I have made.

Lastly, a huge thank you to Michael from Chelo Enterprises for gifting me these amazing products!

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BARRY M Satin Super Slick Lip Paint in Red My Lips 176.

We all know I love red lipstick, in fact I think if you know me it’s common knowledge that 99% of the time I will be wearing it. Therefore, when I saw Listerine were offering a free lipstick and one of the shades was red – I simply could not miss out on such a bargain!

As I’ve said many times before, I love finding high quality drug store Brands and I can definitely confirm that Barry M is one of them. They’ve been around for as long as I can remember – I always used to buy their Nail Polishes and I love that before a lot of other Brands followed the trend, they have always produced a huge variety of unique shades and dared to break the makeup boundaries.

Out of the three shades available – which are all products from BARRY M’s current Collection and retail from just £4.99, I picked Red My Lips. If you’re not a red kinda girl like myself, then there are ten other Satin Super Slick Lip Paints and two of them are offered by Listerine – Peachy Keen and Berry-licious, which are perfect for the Summer!

Red My Lips is a beautiful blue toned 1950s red, my favourite of course and is produced with a satin shiny finish. However, if you’re a matte lover like me – don’t be discouraged! Although the lipstick is a satin formula, it is incredibly pigmented and long lasting, which can be pretty hard to find from my experience. Furthermore, what’s great about this product is that it doesn’t feel sticky on your lips, which is a huge bonus as I often find a lot of glossy products do and that can be very uncomfortable. This beauty is also infused with Shea Butter and Vitamin E, so leaves your lips feeling moisturized and definitely not dry!

The packaging for BARRY M’s Super Satin Slick Lip Paint’s is a gorgeous silver chrome, which contrasts beautifully with the vibrant red shade. The product itself has a gorgeous BM Logo imprinted on the lipstick and I especially love the italic handwriting, it’s so classy and chic.

I’ve noticed that BARRY M have vastly expanded their lipstick range and have a huge variety of different products available, which is brilliant! I’m definitely looking forward to trying more products as I’m intrigued to see if the rest of their beauty buys are as good as their Satin Lipsticks!

Ultimately, I absolutely love this lipstick and I definitely hope to add more BARRY M products to my makeup collection!

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Gift of Glam by Marilyn Monroe Eyewear.

If you’ve followed me on Social Media for the past 6+ years, then I’m 99% sure you know how much I love the beautiful soul, Marilyn Monroe. Ironically, it feels almost strange for me to type out her full name, as I like to think of Marilyn as almost an Guardian Angel to me, definitely not a stranger. Some will understand that and relate, others may judge – but Marilyn will always have a special place in my heart.

A few weeks ago, to celebrate Marilyn’s 91st Birthday, I wrote, as I do every year, a Tribute for my favourite lady and was pleasantly surprised when I noticed, Marilyn Monroe Eyewear like my post and follow me on Instagram. Marilyn Eyewear is Officially Licensed by The Estate of Marilyn Monroe and is one of the many Brands they have created which is all inspired and influenced by this very special woman. As my beautiful friend, Laura has previously worked with Marilyn Eyewear, I decided it would be worth a try contacting the Brand and thanking them for following my Instagram Account. I also proposed the possibility of a collaboration. Once again, I was surprised and very thankful to receive a reply agreeing to my suggestion about a collaboration!

After just four days, my parcel from Marilyn Eyewear arrived, all the way from America! I can’t emphasize how appreciative I am of such a quick delivery, especially from so far away – I was already beyond impressed. However, little did I know that I was going to be completely blown away when I opened the parcel. Not only was I gifted a pair of beautiful Sunglasses, there were also three beauty products from Marilyn Monroe Spas! It wasn’t until I looked on their website, that I realized I had been sent the, Limited Edition Gift of Glam! Thank you so much Marilyn Monroe Eyewear and Marilyn Monroe Spas!

The packaging is a classic chic black matte box, finished with gorgeous gold writing and Marilyn’s iconic signature – what could be better!? As soon as you open it, you’re greeted by dazzling red tissue paper and inside are the iconic products all inspired by my favourite girl – Marilyn! Nail Polish in Marilyn Red, a red Beauty Blender, a Lipstick in Marilyn Red 03 and if that wasn’t enough, a pair of Marilyn Eyewear Sunglasses in Annabel Noir 001! If you’re a Marilyn lover or simply adore the Vintage look, then this is without doubt a must have – it’s simply timeless!

The Sunglasses come in an absolutely beautiful gold metallic case, featuring Marilyn’s signature, the product is wonderful quality and a great protection for the shades also. What I was most impressed by with the Marilyn Sunglasses was the attention to detail, which super Marilyn fans, or Marilynettes as we’re known, would definitely notice and appreciate. If you look at all the Sunglasses on the Marilyn Eyewear Website, you’ll see that the majority of the shades are named after Marilyn Film Characters! I think this is such a lovely statement and a unique concept which makes Marilyn Eyewear different from others. The Gift of Glam shades are named after Marilyn’s character, Annabel Jones Norris from her film, We’re Not Married! (1952) one of her earlier film roles and the only chance she had to play a Mother. (Something’s Got To Give (1962) was never completed.)

If you’re after an everyday, classic retro look than Annabel are the must have Sunglasses for you, but fear not, there are three other shades available if you’re after something different. Out of all the amazing vintage style Sunglasses on Marilyn Eyewear, if I had to choose my favourites it would be either, The Marilyn, Elsie, Iris or Rose and yes, that is my attempt at trying to narrow my choices down! All come in different colours and styles, so there are more choices to choose from and they feature Marilyn’s iconic signature – so much beauty!

The Marilyn Monroe Spas Beauty Products all have one thing in common, they are all – you guessed it, red! Anyone who knows anything about Marilyn will associate this bold colour with her, as it was without doubt her signature lipstick shade to wear. As someone who adores the Vintage Look, this was such a wonderful surprise and even better that each item is based on the signature Marilyn look.

The Beauty Blender is a must have in my every day makeup bag and ironically enough, I was just thinking a few days ago that I needed a new one! Plus, I’ve not seen many sponges that are this unique shade, so it will definitely stand out in my collection. Furthermore, the packaging has Marilyn’s beautiful signature on, so yes, I will be keeping the box! I also love how on the back of the packaging it says, “Be Wonderful” which I’m assuming is inspired by one of my favourite, genuine Marilyn quotes.

Also within the Glam Kit is the stunning, True Red 03 Lipstick. Red is the ultimate retro colour and my absolute favourite to wear pretty much every single day and I can confirm, True Red 03 definitely has my approval. The product features Marilyn’s signature in a stunning red and a gorgeous kiss print, which contrasts dramatically with the bold black packaging. I also love the shape of the lipstick as it’s perfect for creating that beautiful full pout. There are so many amazing beauty buys available on Marilyn Monroe Spas, I could honestly spend hours browsing through all the variety of shades!

The final product in the Marilyn Eyewear Gift of Glam is the Marilyn Monroe Red Nail Polish, which features a gorgeous portrait of Marilyn herself – so unique! The shade is eye catching and will definitely make your nails be the centre of attention! Plus, even if you’re not a red lover like myself, it’s worth having just for the stunning packaging with our beautiful blonde bombshell!

Please note, I pride myself in making sure I write honest reviews and although I was fortunate enough to be gifted these items, I was not told to say any of the following statements I have made.

Lastly, I simply must say a huge thank you so much to Marilyn Monroe Eyewear for gifting me these beautiful products, which I will truly cherish.

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Anastasia Beverly Hills Liquid Lipstick in Tulip.

It’s pretty surreal to me that after dreaming of owning an Anastasia Beverly Hills Liquid Lipstick for years now, I can finally say that the day has arrived! As far as I’m aware Anastasia was one of the first, if not the first to create the beauty phenomena that is, the liquid lipstick.

A few months ago this beautiful Brand finally launched a UK Website and it’s safe to say that pretty much daily I was checking to see if their iconic liquid lipsticks were in stock. For some bizarre reason hardly anything was available online, it simply said, “coming soon to the UK” and I had almost given up on them ever being stocked. However, at last, the long awaited email notification arrived! I must point out, Anastasia has been available on Beauty Retailers such as Cult Beauty for quite a while, yet the liquid lipstick have never been on there to buy.

However, as soon as I read the email, I was straight on to their website and browsing through the 36 shades available, including the recently launched shades! As we all know, my signature shade is of course, a blue toned 1950s red and I had decided that this was what I was going to go for. The great thing about Anastasia is there is such a wide variety of colours available to suit everyone’s tastes and preferences, from popular nudes to unique lilacs and teal – they have it all!

Eventually, I had narrowed my choices down to either American Doll, described as a, “classic retro red” – basically my dream shade, right? Or Tulip, one of the new colours released which is a, “beet red.” Surprisingly, I decided to choose the latest lipstick released and went with my second choice, Tulip! I thought this red tone looked slightly more unique to my many other reds and ultimately, I definitely think I made the right decision. I’m happy to confirm that the lipstick looks exactly as photographed on the website and it is simply stunning.

At £20, these liquid lipsticks are in the mid to high price range, so sadly I won’t be able to buy one each week, but I know I’m fortunate to have one and yes, it will be cherished. However, as perfect as the product may be, I did have a slight annoyance with the delivery fee. Free shipping is available if you spend over £25 and as the lipstick is £20, chances are if you’re just buying one thing you will have to pay shipping. Of course, I completely understand that not all Brands offer this and that is fine, but having to pay £6.95 for standard shipping, stating 7 – 10 days for delivery is in my opinion, totally unacceptable. There is also an option to pay £10.95 to receive your items in 2 -3 business days.

I really wasn’t happy about paying for such an expensive delivery, so I decided to find the cheapest product available and purchase a pencil sharpener which was £6.00, so I would qualify for free shipping. When I can afford to purchase from Anastasia’s website again, I think I will actually buy two liquid lipsticks instead of one, that way I qualify for free shipping and basically get one of my products for £15. On a positive, my purchase arrived earlier than the date I was give and I was informed by one of my friends that even though I bought from their UK Website, all stock is shipped from the US – hence the high delivery fee.

Ultimately, it was definitely worth spending my money on this beautiful lipstick, the formula is without doubt one of the best liquid lipsticks I’ve used. It dries down matte within seconds, and I actually can’t feel any product on my lips – amazing! However, I do wish they lasted a bit longer, especially on the inside of my lips, although the rest of the lipstick does stay pretty well. There is no scent on the lipstick, which is completely fine with me, although I do usually enjoy the scents, I know not everyone does. The product is a great size and I’m pretty sure this will last me a long time, although it is my current favourite to wear so, I can’t promise anything! I really love the packaging, it is so simple but very elegant and definitely oozes class. One of the best things about Anastasia’s liquid lipsticks is believe it or not – the applicator! I’ve never actually seen one like this before, it’s an oval shape but very flat with a sponge texture, perfect for creating an iconic bold lip.

Overall, shipping aside, I adore this Brand and it definitely lives up to the popularity and hype it receives in the beauty world. The frugal woman inside of me wishes it was slightly cheaper but I can’t really complain when the product is such high quality. I hope to be able to purchase more liquid lipsticks in the future and eventually try out the iconic glow kits!

What’s your favourite Anastasia Beverly Hills product?

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