what's in my handbag? - my first purchase.

I made my first ever purchase on WIMH just a few weeks ago, and having just heard about this website not too long ago, I do love the idea behind it.

I decided to play it safe on my first order, but seeing as I needed to re-stock my Seche Vite top coat, I thought I'd jump on it as it was such a good price.

 the packaging - I love how unique it is and they put a label with your name on it. It shows time and effort put into each order.

 2 Seche Vite Top Coats - £14.95 (with a free Travalo worth £10)


With the different 'trys' and offers that they always have running on the website for members, it will most definitely be a website that I go to for any new or essential beauty products.


you've seen what's in my handbag, what's in yours? jayj x.

an outfit staple - denim jackets.

Every girl struggles with a certain item of clothing or an accessory that they want to use to complete their look. Sometimes it is jewellery, sometimes it is shoes, but every outfit has that one piece that makes it unique and individual. For me, my favourite way to complete an outfit is by wearing a staple from my wardrobe. With all the colours, the prints and the madness that is going on in my outfit, bringing it all back down to earth with a staple adds that touch of originality, and a timeless piece such as a denim jacket, is the perfect way to do so.

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Denim jackets have been around forever and there is no-one you can ask that can say they haven’t ever owned one. Recently, having a vintage style denim jacket has been on trend amongst young people. Vintage denim takes us back in time and adds a sense of the past to a look. You can wear them sleeveless, cropped or oversized, and still have a touch of edge and style with every outfit. They have also been modernised and put in contrast with other trends. You can find denim jackets with leather accents, colour blocked with different shades, and mixed with different materials; a new way to wear denim and to fit in with your personal style.

I find the best way to wear a denim jacket is to layer it with other pieces such as cardigans and button-up shirts. In my opinion, they can be dressed up or worn casually, depending on what you style it with. Pairing it with a plain or patterned tee gives off an effortless vibe, whereas with a pair of tailored trousers, you instantly look sharp and polished while forever on trend.

I like to get mine from stores such as New Look as they come in a range of sizes and styles, therefore I can always get one big enough to layer with, and find one to match any outfit. New Look know how to maintain style without losing any comfort, so I like to stick with a high street brand that I am familiar with. You will never walk the streets without seeing someone in denim, and you will always find one piece of denim somewhere on my outfit, so why not make a denim jacket your staple too?

never going out of style, jayj x.

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my favourite brushes.

There are items in everyone’s makeup collection that they simply could not do without, and specifically in my case, these are my essential makeup brushes.

I don't wear all that much makeup but using the right tools can help a lot when it comes to the results of the products I use. Using the right brush to apply my foundation or BB cream can create a smooth and flawless look. Carefully adding my eyeliner with a dense flat brush adds definition and depth to my eyes. Applying my powder with the perfect powder brush completes my look effortlessly.

Each step when applying your makeup any time of the day is an important one, and in this post I want to highlight just how important my brushes are and which ones are my favourite for completing my look.

elf Complexion Brush - This for me is simply the perfect brush for powder. It is so soft and fluffy and feels good on the skin.

It is very thick but not hard, so distributing powder on your face is easy to do. The brush can also be held and moulded into other shapes which make it good for applying blush or contouring. Everyone loves a good multi-functional brush!

elf Powder Brush - As someone who has been reading blogs for a long time now, this brush was always featured somewhere on so many people's different blogs, so when I made my first ever elf order, this brush had to be on the list! Although it is called a powder brush, it can be used for various things, and I use it to apply my foundation.

It is a flat-top brush and it is quite dense so I am able to buff my foundation in nicely and it doesn't leave any lines or streaks on the skin.

I use this more specifically for my heavier foundations (MAC Studio Fix, Sleek New Skin Revive) as the brush is dense enough to really smooth the product over the skin evenly.

Superdrug Blending Brush - At the time, this was the most random purchase and I didn't even know what I would necessarily use it for as I am not a big eye shadow wearer. After a long time of not using it at all, I started using it to apply gel eyeliners and cream eye shadows as eyeliners.

It is quite a flat and compressed brush; therefore it is easy to get a lot of product on to it. I also find it very easy to control and I am able to get both thicker and thinner, straight lines above the eye.

MAC 130SE - This came in a set of four which is also my first ever set of MAC brushes. I love that it is a relatively small brush as it makes it perfect for travelling. It is easy to carry and the handle isn't too long.

It is a duo-fibre brush so it is great for stippling as well as buffing the product in. I personally use this for my lighter foundations (Sleek BB Cream, MAC Face & Body) as I feel as though I use less of the product alongside this brush.

Wordy much? haha!

What are your favourite makeup brushes? Any other tools in your makeup bag that you simply couldn't do without?

all made up, jayj x.

my favourite aw12 trends.

As London Fashion Week is well and truly along the way and the trends for SS13 are being showcased, I thought it would be good to share what my favourite trends for the current season are and what I will be taking my inspiration from. 

 (Images courtesy of ElleUK)

Through these images and some extended research of my own, I narrowed my favourite trends of this season down to the following: 

Purple/Oxblood – very deep reds and dark purples are most definitely the most prominent colours of this season. With the harsh, cold weather that we should be expecting, wrapping up in darker colours may make us feel that bit warmer, and with it not being as dark as black, these colours help to keep our wardrobes a tad more chic.

Leather – a daring take on modern fashion as leather is used to toughen up feminine pieces. Whether it is a piece on its own or as an added feature to a garment, it automatically transforms any look. It is a good way to add dimension to an outfit, whether dressed up or casual.  

Oversized – this trend can work its way into any other trend adding something a little bit different. Using the contrast between something baggy and something fitted adds an edge to an outfit.

Military – a modern take on a vintage style. A way for women to adopt a masculine manner with sharp and sophisticated looks. With dark greens, khakis, greys and blacks, androgynous silhouettes are created. A lot of different types of women can take on this trend, making it perfect for this season as we begin to layer up for colder weather conditions. 

Do you have a favourite trend this aw12? What pieces have you got your eye on?

Wrap up warm, jayj x.

august favourites.

The month of September came so quickly it's actually scary. Before I know it, I shall be returning back to university to complete my final year, and back into a routine where I can't be so randomly spontaneous with what I choose to do with my day.

I thought I'd share a few random favourites of both beauty (mostly makeup products), and fashion items from the last month. As I had holiday from work, I found myself having a lot of free time and also spending a lot of time socialising with friends, so I was able to play with a lot of different things...things that have crept into my favourites for the month of August.

• MAC face and body foundation (n9) – with the constant random heat waves we kept having in London, I thought it was best to keep my base light. I love this foundation because as well as it feeling like you have nothing on your face, with a bit of concealer it gives me just enough coverage to feel confident. This way, my skin can appear clear, and I’m not caking it on.

• Olay touch of concealer eye cream – I bought this so long ago now but never really used it (mostly due to laziness), but after rediscovering it, I found a new interesting way to use it. As well as putting it under my eyes as an eye cream and concealer, because of the lightness of the colour, I also used it as a highlighter on the bridge of my nose and the cheekbones. It works so well, and a little goes a long way.

• MAC studio finish concealer & pro longwear concealer (nw50) – concealers were actually my best friends this past month. As someone with an uneven skin tone, using strictly concealer with some powder to set it helped me on the days that I didn’t really want to wear any makeup.

• Rimmel London pro matte finish – I love matte nails, and all my different matte nail colours were down to this product right here. I love Rimmel brushes in general as they are so thick, soft and easy to use. The polish itself is not a thick consistency and it dries SO quickly.   

• Covergirl lash blast volume – I’m not one to dabble into mascaras, but this one gives me what I need every time…length and volume. You can’t go wrong.

 

• Zara studded clutch/wallet – I bought this at the beginning of the month to use as a wallet and I have to say, it has not let me down. As well as it being on trend with the gold studs (which sometimes look rose gold too!), it is very spacious and has a lot of compartments that hold cards. It can also be used as a clutch on a night-out too, so for £19.99, I believe I got value for money.

• Converse classic all star’s in dark grey – I’ve had these for just over a year now and they are my ‘go to’ shoes. So comfortable, and because of the colour they go with absolutely everything. Everyone needs a pair of converses in their life.  

What were your favourites for the month of August? I love discovering new items.

jayj x. 

charmed.

My all time favourite tv series is probably Charmed! I remember never wanting to miss an episode during my early teens...calling my friends during the break to discuss what we just saw...good times!

I was with my two best friends when an episode of Charmed came on at like 4am and I remembered how much I loved the show.

...a few weeks later, I have the entire box set.

Life is complete.

What was your favourite series as a teen? What's your favourite series now?

share :) jayj x.