Time out!

It's been a while since I last updated! So many Christmas related events and not enough hours in the day. 


Anyways, amongst the rushing around like a headless chicken, I managed to make a few new winter purchases, including my new hat from Miss Selfridge that I paired with my fail safe Vivienne Westwood jacket.

I also got a new wallet from Marc by Marc Jacobs

And lastly, a new MAC lipstick. It's more of a vivid violet tone than it looks in this pic, called Up The Amp.

This weather is so miserable! I went out to take some photos and ended up getting saturated. A brew and some home made cookies are definitely in order!

Recent purchases

A few things I've bought over the past week. Some essential (and non-essential) items in the midst of Christmas present shopping!

I bought these shoes from Miss Selfridge. They're not super high but do have a concealed platform, so comfortable enough to walk in! I always buy too-high or unsensible shoes that get left at the back of my wardrobe so I'm not making that mistake again. These should go with most party outfits over the festive period!

How cute is this little bag from Urban Outfitters!? They had a 20% off event so it was a perfect excuse to buy it AND it was on sale at £12! Bargain.

The best cleanser in the world hands down! I've been using this for 3 years now and won't be switching anytime soon. I only have to buy it once a year (that's how long the 450ml bottle lasts using it every night). 

I used to suffer from really bad skin in high school and it was a massive insecurity to me. The amount of 'anti-blemish' products I used to buy was ridiculous! I've always been really cautious of what I use on my skin so when I was first introduced to cleansing oils, I was really skeptical about putting oil on my oily skin! Seemed so wrong, but in fact oil is the best cleanser for an oily skin type. It cleanses thoroughly and takes makeup off brilliantly, but doesn't strip the skin.

Even though I realise I've naturally grown out of having spotty skin, since using this my skins never been better. There's different formulations for all different concerns and skin types.

Ahh when I saw this I was so giddy! 

When I went to Amsterdam a couple of years ago I did a tour around the House of Bols, and every time I see them in bars or in the supermarket it reminds me of that nice memory! On the tour, you get to 'see', 'hear', 'touch' and 'taste' different flavours, and at the end they make you a customised cocktail based of your taste preferences.

I've bought a few different flavours over the years (if any of you don't already know, they do 38 different liqueur flavours!) but I've never seen a foam version before! This will serve me well for all Christmas cocktail making. I love experimenting with cocktails, maybe I should become a bartender hah.

And lastly, I bought these fab House of Holland tights! Gone are the days of nights out with bare legs!

Berries

I've recently warmed to berry lips which is unusual for me. I go for corals, reds and occasionally pinks. But nearing halloween and all that, it seems fitting. I've found the perfect berry shade for me. It's super sheer and easily buildable. For the daytime, one stroke is definitely enough (as not to scare) 

And for a stronger, more striking look... a few more layers!

The shade I'm in love with is a Nars lipstick called Fast Ride. Okay, it looks a scary, but does come out much sheerer!

(However, the only downside is that it doesn't stay on for very long)

Anyway, I'm off for a shop. Hopefully I'll find some inspiration for some Christmas presents. I'm not being overly keen, but it's good to get ideas as I hate leaving things 'til last minute!

A pic from the beautiful gardens I found the other day! xo

WAVES

So as I said before, I was going to tell you about my new Babyliss Waving Wand. It's similar to an ordinary curling tong, but the barrel is slightly flatter, not quite as spherical, which is great if you want loose, natural sort of waves, rather than corkscrew curls. 
Don't get me wrong, I do love curls, but waves are so much more low-maintenance. And you don't have to be to careful when using the wand. In fact, the messier the better, I reckon!

<< I know its not easy to tell, but you can sort of make out the shape of it! 




The easiest way to do it is to point it downwards like you'd do with a curling tong.




There are 5 different heat  >> settings, ranging from 155 - 200 degrees.
I usually use the highest heat (even though it's so bad for your hair) just because its quite thick and it's quicker to use on this setting. 


You do get a lovely (cough) black satiny heat-proof glove. I'd say when you get the hang of it, you wont need to use the glove anymore. 


Only downfall there is though, is that the power button is basically a click-on, click-off one... and a few times whilst I've been holding it, I've turned if off, which is slightly irritating.


I must admit, they stay in pretty damn well, and I wasn't even wearing hairspray!
An idea of the waves, from a walk in the woods yesterday! >>

Anywho, this is my latest look...

I better dash, I've got my 3 month eye check-up since I had them lasered. Super excited to know the final result! If they tell me I have x-ray vision, then y'know, its a bonus.


xo

Happy Wednesday

It's been a long time since I last posted on Lookbook. I don't take it too seriously, I'm not one of those girls who can buy a new outfit everyday and spend a long time on editing photos unfortunately. But all the same, its a bit of fun.


I decided to post a pic of one of my outfits on a recent trip to Milan anyway (below)

Such a great trip! Which was spontaneously booked 2 days prior to flying. Can't say I've ever booked anything that last minute before. I wasn't 'wowed' by the food like I thought I would be. Slightly disappointed if anything! (minus the gelato, which was to die for) I did have a slight (understatement) obsession with the Vespas. I can't explain why, I mean, I don't think I have the confidence to scoot around on the roads, ducking and diving between cars! But every time I saw an attractive looking one I had to snap a pic (sad, I already know!) This one is my desktop background...geez I need help...

Anyway... one thing easier (and not to mention cheaper) to change rather than an outfit, is one of my vices - nail varnish! Im a bit of an addict to put it fairly. So I've picked out 5 of my favourite colours to share. They're all quite different to one another, which I like. I get bored easily so rather than dying my hair every other week (which i shockingly used to) its much better to just paint away!

From left to right:
1. Nars - Dovima 
The perfect pillar box red! (The photo doesn't do it much justice if I'm honest!)
2. Nails Inc - Jermyn Street
An easy to wear shade of greige. Probably the colour I wear the most. There's pretty much no outfit it doesn't go with.
3. Chanel - Riviera
Perhaps not my favourite colour, but suits perfectly when I'm in a pink mood.
4. Rimmel - Ultra Violet
Love, love, love this colour! Its a bit unusual but it's amazing how easy it goes on (and a brilliantly cheap price!) I prefer varnishes with wider brushes.
5. Gosh - Forest Floor
At first I thought, hmm green? But its grown on me loads since then. In fact it's the colour I decided on wearing today :)

Also, I recently purchased a new electrical gadget - Babyliss Waving Wand! It's an alternative to curling with my straightening irons, and I absolutely love it, so much so I will post pics of how my hair has turned out later on.


Ciao! xo

Hello Hello!

Welcome to my blog!

My name is Jen, here's me below:

I generally don't wear my hair up (as it makes me look like a boy) but sometimes its just easier and it means I don't have to worry about straightening irons and whatnot :) Plus change is good every now and then. 


I plan to post about things I like and enjoy, shockingly. Things I buy, things I want to buy, things I wear, things I want to wear ect ect. 


I'm a self-confessed product junkie, and have shelves and shelves (and boxes and boxes) of beauty products. Which I'd love to share all my favourites with you! 


My latest beauty related purchase was in fact something I don't have that much interest in, perfume. I mean don't get me wrong, who doesn't like a nice fragrance? It's just I tend to be quite timid in this department. I stick to what I know and love. I tend to explore more with make-up and fashion.
Anyway I saw this whilst wandering Selfridges beauty halls the other day and it caught my eye from a distance...

Such a lovely fragrance, and in the most beautiful hat box as well!
I've worn other Vivienne Westwood perfumes for years, like the Boudoir Sin Garden (amazingly fresh for summer) and Boudoir Jouy Edition which is quite sweet and girly. However, I thought I'd try something a bit more sophisticated and heavier for nighttime usage. It has notes of bergamot and rose which keep it girly, but also tabacco flower which gives it a slight musk. All in all, its a stunning fragrance.


Ok I've ranted enough for now. If anyone has Tumblr, feel free to follow me, and I will back - http://jensparkles.tumblr.com/ - I'll be honest, I rarely use it anymore but maybe some new followers will give me some encouragement! I'm always looking for new blogs to read!


Peace out xo