Event | Benefit Stay Flawless Launch

When I got the email from Benefit inviting me to their latest product launch it was a bit of a no brainer. I love Benefit Cosmetics, I can't always afford it so tend not to torture myself by spending hours drooling over their make up counters, but the products I have treated myself to I've loved.

The event took place at The Orange Rooms in Southampton (down Bedford Place if you're from the area). We were treated to mocktails (strawberry lemonade for me - I was driving) and lots of delicious nibbles including chicken and nachos. Yum.

The launch was for their brand new long wear primer, Stay Flawless, which is to be launched on the 29th June for £24.50, I will do a full review very soon. We had Head Make Up Artist Lisa P-D show us how to apply said primer and with their Hello Flawless foundation on top. We also had the chance to win some of their new sets showcasing some of their best sellers - little old me managed to win herself "Primping with the Stars" a set including Porefessional, Benetint, They're Real, Stay Don't Stray, Hello Gorgeous Foundation and Girl Meets Pearl. Not only that but we were treated to one of their new primers AND a Hello Flawless foundation in our colour. They were incredibly generous and really really lovely.

It was a lovely evening, and my first proper event so I was very excited and nervous. I met the lovely Corrie and Lauren, and managed to have a quick catch up with Kat and Lizzie as well. I was amazed by how many bloggers there are around my area - who knew!? Overall it was a really nice evening, and so far I am loving the primer. I will do a full review very soon so you all can get excited over it as well. Can't wait for the next one!!

Which of Benefit's products is your favourite?

Hair | The "Shob"

Since I've had my hair chopped off I've been playing with the style a lot to see what suits me best, and just generally what I prefer. For the past month I've been turning it into a shaggy bob, or "shob" as I saw Heat magazine call it recently and I have to say, I'm loving it like this. I've never been a huge sleek and straight person anyway, always prefering a bit of wave or curl, so I'm so happy I don't have to loose this with my shorter hair.

So, for all those who want to know how I get my "shob", here is my how to!

So first of all, I've been washing my hair with Head & Shoulders for Coloured Hair - I was having issues with a flaky scalp but this has cleaned it right up (just after two uses) and it's designed for coloured hair which is good for my highlights.

Popping it up in my towel for fifteen minutes, then I give it a good rub to get rid of any dripping. Instead of combing it, I run through it roughly with my fingers to get rid of any tangles and also to sort out my parting (side parting thank you, just off centre).

Next, I use Aussie Dual Personality - yes I want it shaggy but I do NOT want the frizz and this is ideal for this. It has been a god send since I've cut it. I pop about half a pump into my hand then roughly run it through my hair with my fingers from root to tip. Next I just do a rough blow try.

After this, I pop some Elnett Heat Style Spray for Volume on, to protect from heat and just to keep it's volume, then I curl my hair using my GHDS. I run them through quickly to create waves. Afterwards I ruffle them up and pop on some Clynol Hair Spray for hold.

To maintain it over the days I use Batiste dry shampoo for volume and healthy looking hair, and also add some salt spray for texture.

Voila - you have yourself a "shob"... or Shaggy Bob!

Have you tried a "shob"? What do you think?

Nails | Essie Virgin Orchid

 ESSIE NAIL LACQUER IN VIRGIN ORCHID £1.99 FROM FRAGRANCE DIRECT

If you haven't been to Fragrance Direct yet, go there now - Essie for £1.99?! Who wouldn't want that! It depends on what stock they currently have as to what you can get, but I very recently bought this gorgeous sheer salmon pink colour, called Virgin Orchid. It has the wide brush which I love and the colour is just gorgeous.

Also, for bridal season it is perfect for that. It's sheer enough to be delicate, yet opaque enough to create a gorgeous colour in just two coats. As will all Essie, it lasts for a good few days without chipping (unless you have to unjam a copier but that's another story).

At the moment (at time of writing) there were around 7 different colours on Fragrance Direct, including Fear or Desire. I would definitely recommend visiting them if your after an Essie bargain.

Have you been to Fragrance Direct? What Essie would you want?

Outfit | Dotty Summer

top: TU @ Sainsburys | skirt: Topshop | belt: H&M | necklace: Lola Rose

Last weekend I decided I would break out of my jean/tshirt funk and get into the summer ways. So I pulled out my favourite denim skirt from last year and a TU shirt from my Mum's wardrobe (now lives in mine). I love blue, and even more so navy, so this top was one I was immediately drawn too. I think it goes perfectly with my skirt as well.

I seem to have fallen in love with peter pan collars as well, I think they seem to go really well with my bob. And I love the detailing on this belt. It came with a dress I bought from H&M and wear it all the time with other outfits, it is a definite favourite.
Also, my new Lola Rose necklace. My lovely Mummy bought this as a well done for passing my college course. I love the style and the colour - I don't have anything in this colour so it was a definite need. Happy days!

This is a gorgeous dotty outfit and was definitely one of those days where I kept looking down and thinking "O, I actually really like this outfit". Shallow, yes, but I love fashion - so sue me :)

Anywho, my giveaway ends today so take a look here to see who has won! Thanks for all those who entered!

What's your first summer outfit?

Make Up | Revlon Baby Stick

REVLON BABY STICK FOR LIPS AND CHEEKS IN TAHITIAN £6.99

I picked this up from Boots out of sheer curiosity. It's a thick stick that can be used for both cheeks and also lips. Multi purpose if you will. I bought it in the colour "tahitian" as it's a really sutble cute coral colour - perfect for the summer.

Cheeks
I pop this on the apple of my cheeks and drag up the cheek bone until it gets to eye level, then I smudge it in with my fingers. When it first goes on it's a tad greasy, but it soon dries and gets rid of all the greasiness. The colour isn't very pigmented on the cheeks, it's very very subtle but enough to give a little colour. Longevity wise, it lasts for a good few hours - really well actually. It's a very nice subtle cheek colour for holiday I think.

Lips
For lips, it's a very nice formula to apply, it's soft and moisturising and considering the width of the stick it's really easy to apply. Colour wise it's very pale for the lips - as you can see above. It lasts for around two hours, but for me it's just a bit too pale for my lips. Otherwise it's a really nice formula.

Overall, I'm glad I got this. I wasn't holding out too much hope for it so had low expectations, so I'm actually very impressed by this. It's a very nice creamy blush product and it's definitely one I'd take on holiday as it's a very subtle everyday, hardly there make up product. Very natural, very nice. Thumbs up from T&M!

Have you tried Baby Stick? What colour would you want?