Beauty Haul!

Hello lovelies!

I'm in London at the mo' staying with some family and having a ball interning with head buyers at M&S. I never really thought of myself as a M&S kind of girl but they've got some really gorgeous pieces coming out for A/W and I can't wait to buy a few pairs of new boots. 

But anyways that's enough about my work experience (for now...) I'm here to show you some beauty buys I treated myself to before heading off to London. 

First up is some purchases from classic MAC. I was in major need of new highlighter and concealer so I opted for both at MAC.
For a concealer I bought MAC Mineralize Concealer in NC15 and I quite like it. I apply it in dots under my eyes and on blemishes and red areas and the blend it in. It doesn't cake and stays on during the day. It also blends in really well so that you could almost where it with no foundation on a lazy day (which I'm prone to do).

I also bought MAC Mineralize SkinFinish in Soft and Gentle to use as a highlighter and I must say it's very nice. Not too luminous and over-whelming and just the right level of reflection to brighten up your cheek bones and where the sun naturally hits your face.

My next purchase was in Topshop as I love their lip sticks and needed  a bright summer time colour. I chose Brighton Rock, a gorgeous pink that stays on your lips for a good length of time and doesn't dry out with it's creamy texture.

I'm afraid I over did it in the brush department on my spending spree but hey you can never have too many brushes! Whilst in Topshop I decided to try out their brushes so I bought the foundation and eye brushes to see if they were as good as their lipsticks. I'm afraid I haven't been able to try them out yet but they feel a little too stiff for me as I like my brushes to be softer and more flexible. But alas they are a pretty bright pink and not the worst brushes I've seen.

 

Perhaps my favourite thing I bought is the Real Techniques brush collection I picked up at Superdrug on my first day in London. The pack comes with a contour brush, a tiny detailer brush, buffer brush and pointed foundation brush along with a handy case that folds up nicely. Really lovely brushes that work well to blend and apply product. They are currently my go to brushes. 

So that's the sum of my recent beauty buys hope you find it useful if you're looking to spend some money on. Be warned that I have also made quite a dent in my bank balance with the amount of clothes that I have bought and have yet to buy once I hit Oxford Street so stay tuned for another haul post.

Hope you're enjoying the summer to the fullest and the sun is shining.
Thanks for reading,
Ciara. xx

Freedom & Topshop Reclaim To Wear

Hello lovelies!

So as of Friday the 21st of June 2013 I am officially done with secondary school and free! Next up on the agenda is having an eventful and exciting summer full of travel and new experiences. It still hasn't dawned on me that I don't ever have to tie up that god awful mint, maroon and green tie again but it's a great feeling. Roll on the college life in September (if I ever make up my mind of what to do). 

On the 20th of June Topshop made ripples in the fashion pond again by releasing their second capsule collection with 'Reclaim To Wear' consisting of 'up-cycled' waste materials. The collection's aim is to create a successful way of reducing textile waste and encourage sustainability in the fashion industry.

“The inspiration behind the collection was to turn away from 

disposable fashion, giving a new lease of life to disregarded prints 

from previous seasons,” explained Stephen Mongan, Topshop 

head of sourcing and technical services. www.styleite.com

The collection itself is very relaxed with a slight ethical twist featuring loose floral crops and a boho-chic feel to the colour scheme and a play on lace and cool silhouettes. 

Check out pieces of the collection here:
 

 



 


Quite a soft and fragile collection created this year I think. 

Anyway that's just a little update from me on what's going on with Topshop. I'm off to London for about month on Tuesday to do some work experience (and of course reduce my bank account balance to zero) and I can't wait to escape dank and wet Ireland to actually get a chance to feel the summer sunshine!

Thanks for reading,
Ciara xx


Photo source: www.refinery29.com

The Met Ball 2013 'Punk: Chaos to Couture'

Hello lovelies!

Since today is such a drab, rainy and dark 'summer's' day I thought I'd cheer myself up with a bit of MET Ball Fashion. 

Monday night the fashionable stars of the world met at New York's Metropolitan Museum under flashing light bulbs to celebrate the opening of the theme of 'Punk: Chaos to Couture'. On one of the most celebrated fashion events of the year celebs were adorned in edgy black studded creations and chaotic patterns as they strode the red carpet. 

So why don't we have a look at who got it right and who weren't quite to the punk point!

Once again super brand Topshop edged its way into the high fashion world with Jourdan Dunn, Chloe Greene, Nicole Richie and Ashley Madekwe all sporting custom made gowns. 




Alexa Chung went for an elegant yet edgy dress from Erdem with gorgeous cut outs and a high collar. You can never go wrong with a bit of  Erdem.



Short sticky fringed hair styles seemed to make multiple appearances throughout the night but Anne Hathaway certainly aced it with a new platinum do and Vintage Valentino.

 

Stunning Cara Delevingne wore a studded black and gold number from Burberry however I'm not to jazzed about her choice of a white and gold purse.



Diane Kruger now the face of Chanel's new beauty line was of course dressed in one of my more preferred Chanel pieces. As if to spice up her look more Kruger added a pop of ultra punk pink with dip-dyed hair.



Although not quite punk but definitely energetic and adventurous Elle Fanning was mesmerising in a spiral tie-dyed Rodarte A/W 13 gown.



Miley Cyrus definitely got the dress code and was, for lack of a better word, shocking in Marc Jacobs.



January Jones was slightly cosmical maybe even extra-terrestrial wearing a sequined Chanel number, muilticoloured Nicholas Kirkwood sandals, striking eye make-up and white out eyebrows.



Moving away from the predictable black and typical 'punky' gowns Jessica Pare was gorgeous in this shocking Jason Wu peplum dress.



Kristen Stewart was strong in a Stella McCartney jumpsuit.



One of my favourite looks was Sienna Miller's angelic white Burberry gown contrasted with a powerful studded leather biker jacket. Not at all boringly punk but definitely dynamic and youthful, classic Sienna.



It seems as if Zooey Deschanel completely missed out on the whole 'punk rock' theme but all the same she was wonderful and pretty as always in custom made Hilfiger. Is it just me or does she look even more radiant sans eye-makeup and that characteristic fringe? 



Rosie Huntington-Whiteley showed off her amazing figure in a dirty gold satin Gucci dress.



Lastly the queen of the MET Ball in my mind will always be Sarah Jessica Parker and this year she wore the Philip Treacey crown to match. Elegant yet still featuring a bit of edgy, dynamic punk essence.



Oh and hats off to Kim Kardashian for attempting to pull of a glove/dress/curtain concoction. You have to admire her confidence! 



So over all I was quite impressed, as per usual, by the standard at the MET Ball. Most of the looks were quite interesting and managed to capture the theme of the night: the definite energy and fearlessness of punk slightly tamed by the regal and mature nature of couture.

As always thanks for reading,
Ciara.

(I don't own any of these photos) Sourced from http://www.vogue.co.uk/spy/celebrity-photos/2013/5/07/met-ball-2013