TOP 10 NEW YORK, LONDON AND MILAN FASHION WEEK SHOWS

Fashion Week makes me so happy. 

I'm a Londoner and unfortunately I'm yet to attend a show but I always feel an exciting buzz in the city when fashion week occurs. I get a fresh surge of inspiration to dress extra nice during NYFW and LFW particularly. I love how High Fashion is more often than not overwhelmingly out of my price range and yet it is my favourite source of inspiration for my 'ordinary person' style budget. Fashion weeks (as well as trips to Selfridges) give me this weird surge of ambition to be rich enough to roam around in such fine garments and they are generally great time for me and makes the camera roll on my phone so pretty!

I thought I'd do a round up of my 10 favourite runway shows and looks from this season's London, New York and Milan fashion week.

1. Burberry

This is the only show I religiously live-stream and it is a dream of mine to attend. I always look forward to seeing the musicians that perform who always reflect the classy Britishism(?) that Burberry is all about. This year I literally ran home to watch it and got in JUST as the live-stream finished so metaphorically cried and redirected myself to the faithful Vogue website to see the looks before later watching the show. As per usual Christopher Bailey slayed. I feel as though he just gets it-women, men, clothes, fashion, England. It. Burberry shows make me feel an unusual sense of patriotism and this one did not disappoint.

Watch the show here and see the individual looks here

2. Alexander Wang

This wouldn't be a Fashion Week post without a mention to Wang. His show was arguably the most hyped up show of the season and he did not fail to impress. Everyone loves Wang but for some reason he isn't personally one of my favourite designers. None the less, this show was amazing and I am now patiently waiting for H&M X Alexander Wang to happen to my wardrobe.

See the full show here

3. Tom Ford

This show make me seriously consider trading in my dedication to a splash of colour in all my sartorial decisions for a life of gothic and sexy all-black attires. I LOVE TF.

See the full show here

4. Fendi

Karl Lagerfeld strikes again. Am I the only person in the world who amuses themselves by imagining him working in McDonald's? I swear the man was genetically engineered for fashion. Alas, this show showcased texture in all it's glory and it was beautiful.

See the full show here

5. Delpozo

Now this is a label that I'd never seen or heard spoke about before but I was struck by the tailoring in their opening looks when browsing the Vogue site and the rest of the show impressed me so much that I can see them becoming one of my favourites. I wanted to shop every look and loved the clean silhouettes, primary colours and overall polished look every model was rocking.

See the full show here

6. Temperley London

I'm a sucker for a boyish monochrome look. As Cher Horowitz says, isn't it classic?

See the full show here

7. DSquared2

This is a label that I never really paid attention to until the mental asylum on the runway last season, which I loved. I got a Victoria's Secret meets Sports luxe vibe from the first half of this show...and then the ruffles came out. Divine.

See the full show here

8. Erdem

Quite simply, I would wear these dresses every day for the rest of my life.

See the full show here

9. MaxMara

The head-to-toe print, 70's influences, waist accentuating silhouettes and that red winged liner were my highlights. I can practically see Kim K in some of these looks already. 

See the full show here

10. Oscar De La Renta

De La Renta was hands down my favourite show of the season. It blew my mind. Normally with shows I love, there's always a section that I'm not too hot on but in this show I adored and was inspired by EVERY look. Oscar De La Renta is a designer I cherish dearly and this show consolidated that love (and my desire to attend the Academy Awards in one of his gowns).

See the full show here

I'm so excited to see some of the looks from these shows translate to the Red Carpet and the like!

What have been your favourite shows so far?

Olivia xo

MAC X RIHANNA VIVA GLAM 2

Everyone loves a lipstick that is so wrong but so right...right?

Introducing VIVA GLAM RIHANNA 2

 

If you read my blog, you will know that I'm a massive fan of colour pay off. As a result, I don't tend to dabble in the sheer end of MAC lipstick finishes and so my only experience with a frost finish prior to buying this was Angel, which is a lovely standard baby pink. Therefore, when I saw the PR surrounding this new Viva Glam release and read that this shade was a frost finish I expected a potentially streaky, sheer, lackluster attempt at a funky mauve shade- I still wanted to give it a go but expectations were pretty low...Boy was I wrong. 

This colour is as opaque as 100 denier tights after two swipes and is so badass. It gives dimension to the lips and is a slate grey (that when photographed with flash it comes up gold-ish) with hints of mauve and tons of other good stuff that makes it impossible to pinpoint what colour it actually is (my favourite quality in a product).  I wouldn't say it's duo chrome but it has an intense metallic effect that's to die for. The finish is one that has given me a really hard time trying to find the words to define the term frost in the context of lipstick without the aid of Google. I have no words to describe it other than frosty- if you give or have given this or angel a go you will (hopefully) know what I mean. 

Viva Glam rihanna 2 is like an eyeshadow colour for your lips and I would say it's definitely one of the most non-standard colours MAC have come out with. As someone who constantly wonders who it was that decided that eyes were allowed to have every colour under the sun applied to them but forever forbid cheeks and lips from the luxury, it is right up my street (if you couldn't already tell). It's great to have added an extra-terrestrial-esque lipstick with MAC's trademark quality that I love so dearly into my collection. Also, the fact that all the money generated from the sales of this lipstick goes towards such an amazing cause wins the Olivia Williams award for most justifiable purchase ever.

I know at first glance some people would see this as a shade to reserve for Halloween and fancy dress occasions only but I have already snuck this into my everyday makeup looks quite easily. I find it really compliments my makeup rather than drawing attention away from it. Admittedly, it is a bit of a strange colour but nowhere near as 'out there' and crazy as the shade range that NYX Macaroon lipsticks offers, for example. 

The lady in MAC told me this lipstick is sticking around for a year which seems like ages but I already feel as though time is running out and I need to pick up a back up ASAP, I'm THAT in love with this. 

Oh and did I mention that when I open the box I swear I hear a choir of Angels rejoicing; the matte red packaging is 10/10.

Overall: I highly suggest you pick this up, this lipstick is heavenly. If you've seen the hype around this release and are worried it won't suit you or is outside your comfort zone etc. I would say get it and if you don't like it, you have donated to a great cause and have a solid Halloween lipstick for life- everyone's a winner. If you have never even worn makeup before, get it. In fact, I would suggest that every human in the world should get it, it's that good.

You can buy this lipstick here and here you can find out more about the cause it's all for.

WELL DONE RIHANNA AND THE TEAM OF AMAZING PEOPLE BEHIND THIS LIPSTICK, IT IS BANGING.

I hope you enjoyed this review. What are your thoughts on the lipstick?

Olivia xo

THE BEST MAC LIPSTICK DUPE AROUND

Mac Rebel vs. Wet 'n' Wild Sugar Plum Fairy

MAC- Rebel

MAC- Rebel

Sugarplum Fairy

Sugarplum Fairy

If you are a MAC enthusiast you will be well aware of the buzzing popularity surrounding the satin finish lipstick Rebel. It is a pretty iconic bold pink-berry-plum shade (and quite hard to identify as one colour alone.) So naturally I was delighted to discover that my sister already has it just before I was going to purchase it a couple of months ago. I didn't see the point in buying one for myself seeing as I view my sister's lipstick collection is an handy extension of my own so decided to try the highly talked about dupe by the american drugstore brand Wet 'n' Wild. 

The Wet 'n' Wild shade is called Sugar Plum Fairy 980C and gives a matte finish but isn't drying if you apply a moisturising lip balm beforehand. The colour is spot on with Rebel, but admittedly it doesn't apply as smoothly due to the shape of the lip bullet (pictured) so I would recommend whacking on some lipliner before you apply for better precision; my personal preference for these lipsticks and what I have on in the pictures is More to Love by MAC.

The packaging of the Wet 'n' Wild lipstick is quite cheap but the quality of the formula makes this an easily forgivable feature. It is just as long wearing and pigmented as Rebel and you can go most of the day with either of them on your lips and only have to worry about reapplying after eating.

What I think makes these two so similar is the fact that both are incredibly versatile. The more you put on the vampier it gets and every time you apply it you can get a different look. You can layer for vampy autumn/winter days or nights, pat lightly into your lips a subtle hot pink or just apply one layer for a bold berry look.

Most importantly, Sugar Plum Fairy is MUCH cheaper than Rebel. I bought mine from Amazon for £4.60 and it's currently sold out but you can buy them from eBay here. It's an excellent money saver compared to the £15 MAC charges for Rebel. 

Overall: SugarPlum Fairy is a matte version of Rebel and a dead ringer for it. However, if you strongly despise matte lipstick it probably isn't for you.

What MAC lipstick dupes are your favourite?

Olivia xo

THE SHOES THAT DESTROYED MY SOUL

Hey!

I'm gonna ahead contradict what I said in my last post about posting once a week, sorry! As much as I like to think that I've picked up the hang of it quickly, I'm still a blogging noob and my blogging schedule is something I'm still trying to figure out. For now, I have decided that I will be posting on a Wednesday at 6pm but will occasionally be chucking a bonus post in on Saturdays at 12pm also. If you'd like to be kept up to date with when I'm going to be posting and, in general, the thoughts I choose to share with the internet, follow me on twitter here! 

The thought of posting this next Wednesday seemed plain weird considering it has me in such deep-rooted turmoil at present and I could not resist so let's get started...

These are the prettiest shoes I own. Fact. I was lusting over them for months before I purchased them on ASOS and had it all sorted in my naive mind that these would be my go-to pièce de résistance and that they would turn any and every outfit I paired them with into a cutesy girly biker chic get-up. When they arrived it's fair to say happy tears were almost shed. I was incredibly sensible about breaking them in before galavanting around for hours in them and it was when I was sure they were ready to exit the confines of my wardrobe and enter the world that the problems began... 

THEY KILL. More than any heels I have ever worn. And they aren't even heels!

It's reached the stage that I have to hype myself up before I wear them just because all I can remember when I look at them is the pain!! I've tried everything on these: stuffing with newspaper, intensely hammering the back of them, wearing them around the house etc. and nothing has worked at making them more comfortable. It's so saddening because they fit fine but the way they are made results in painful discomfort if worn for any longer than half an hour, and they are showing no signs of wearing in.

To paint a clearer picture for you, post-week-long "break in session", I wore these to sixth form for two lessons... and ended up walking home without shoes on. On wednesday, I tried again because, realistically, they are never going to become a fully fledged member of my shoe collection if I cannot wear them, had them on for an hour and twenty minutes and hobbling home and blisters ensued. 

I feel as though the moral of the story is that YES, it is always the pretty ones that hurt you the most.

Are there any DIY tips you know that have worked on tricky shoes like this?

Thanks for reading my moany post, I promise my next one will be much more postive!

Olivia xo

Superdrug Haul #1

Hello!

Last week I popped into Superdrug and picked up some new beauty bits and I thought I'd share them with you. I was shamelessly proud that I managed to pop in and exit with my pink bag in tow without having purchased any lip products- there really is a first time for everything...

By the way, I've started back at sixth form now and- noted- my blog's consistency has been pretty non-existent and discombobulated so far due to the nonchalance of summer. Alas, from now on I will be posting once a week every wednesday at 6pm so keep posted!

Revlon Colorstay Foundation in Medium Beige

I started using this foundation last year when I was at my most tanned hue and it soon became my holy grail base product but as my skin got paler I stopped reaching for it so picked up one in a shade more fitting. Surprise surprise it isn't an exact match as I get serious impulse buy fever with drugstore foundations and feel the need to hurry and decide on my shade as soon as possible. This is long lasting, blendable, has amazing coverage and because it's for oily/combination skin, which I have, I find it works better than my other foundations that aren't skin type specific.

Sleek Blush in Rose Gold

This blusher is unlike anything I've tried before, it's a deep pink colour with golden shimmers running through it. On your skin, the pink doesn't show up as obvious as a matte blush would but it makes my skin glow like no tomorrow. Seriously, it's a Beyonce-esque golden glow! Therefore, this can be used as a highlight as well so it is a purchase I feel can be easily justified.

Maybelline Color Tattoo in Timeless Black and Gel Liner in Intense Black

I already have two color tattoo's and they are easy to use and perfect for low maintenance eye looks so thought I'd pick up a black one and see how I get on with it. I picked up the Gel liner as I've heard excellent things about it and I'm in the process of perfecting the right cat eye look for my eye. I tried this the other day using my Zoeva 317 Wing Liner Brush and 315 Fine Liner brush and it applies and stays on like a dream.

L'Oreal Superliner Perfect Slim in Black Intense

Again, in the quest to find my perfect cat eye I picked this up and so far it's great!

L'Oreal Lumi Magique Primer Pure Light

I'm venturing into the world of dewy skin (can you tell that I'm going through an experimental makeup stage) and have heard great things about this and so I picked it up. I can already tell that this is going to be perfect for making my skin look more alive on no make up days and in general when my skin looks dull and lifeless. It's also nice under foundation but as all of the ones I own are matte, the overall effect isn't a striking dew that I'd expect if I used it with a dewy finish foundation. I'm looking forward to having dewy skin this winter as I've been matte-ing my life away this summer but I realise now that it would have been so much more practical to go dewy in summer and matte in winter, sigh.

And that's the end of my little haul, thanks for reading!

What are your favourite drugstore products?

Olivia xo

My First Blue Brown Encounter...

Hello!

If you read my Birthday Makeup Haul post you would have spotted that MAC's Blue Brown pigment has been added to my collection and as I received a Zoeva order this week, I finally I gave it a go on my eyelids. 

But before I show you what it looks like, it's random-but-relevant-fact-about-me time: I have very unusual eyes in the sense that they cry ALL THE TIME. Irrespective of weather, season or my location my eyes are notorious amongst family and friends for their watery tendencies. As a result of this, I have spent all of my make-up wearing life avoiding experimenting with eye makeup (yes, this means I never went through the shocking blue eyeshadow phase most girls cringe over in their maturer years- I guess you could call it a blessing and a curse). This aside, I have vowed to try and experiment as much as my eyeballs will allow me to with eye makeup in the coming months, starting with this duo-chrome pigment.

I attempted (and failed at) winged liner using my new L'Oreal Superliner and applied a combination of Rimmel Kate Moss Wine 107 Matte lipstick with Wet 'n' Wild's Sugar Plum Fairy (a post comparing this to it's well-documented high end counterpart will be up soon). 

Cue alarmingly close close ups that are so close that they'd NEVER make the cut to Instagram:

As you can see, my eyeliner skills are SHOCKING

Thanks for reading!

What are your eye makeup essentials?

Olivia xo