L'Oréal Infallible Foundation Review

For quite a while now I've been hopelessly devoted to Max Factor's Face Finity foundation, as well as loving my bit-on-the-side Topshop's base. (I'm all about that bass). But since I got diagnosed with blepharitis I've- annoyingly- had to change my whole make-up and skincare routine. Whilst I can't wear any eye make-up (coz it hurts, a lot) I'm still wearing foundation, concealer and powder. (Basically, I need all the help I can get). A big part of bleph is having acne rosacea too- and Holy Redface- that stuff needs covering. What I've found since I can't wear mazzy or liner (how I miss those beautiful inky lifesavers) is that my face is now resembling something akin to that of an albino-lashed tangerine- the base is popping, the eyes receding. (Ain't nobody got time for that). So I decided to try something new. Something paler. I tend to browse in Boots even more these days, oddly enough, longingly looking at every mascara, wishing I didn't have to spend a life condemned to being Bozza Johnson's doppelganger. During one of these tormenting window-shops I happened upon this new-ish launch from L'Oréal, the Infallible 24 Hour Matte Foundation. 

I was lured in by the following:- a) the relatively cheap price, b) the matte factor and c) the paleness of the pale colours in the range. Now, the fact that this is billed as having the remarkable ability to keep you non-shiny for a whole twenty four hours is slightly disturbing- in as much as- if you are wearing foundation for a whole day you need to have a word with yourself. And possibly get cleansing at around hours 13-15. So,  what's the product actually like? Wellll, I reckon it's priddy freakin' good. It deffo has strong coverage but doesn't feel heavy-duty on the skin. If you're looking for a moisturising, slightly dewy base, this is not your baby. (Although you might like to try the original sister Infallible foundation). I don't go all shiny face with it, and it mostly masks my redness. Double tick. (That's all I needed it to do really). If you've tried this out let me know your thoughts, or if you have any other matte foundations to recommend hit me up :) xx

PS Swatch Alert!- these are my first ever swatches- man this shit ain't as easy as it looks. Props to all the beauty bloggers out there. And sincere apologies for my skanky, hairy (half fake-tanned) arm.

PPS This probably isn't the place to say it but- why Zayn WHY? Was it really that bad? £10 million quid buy-out-clause bad? Where do broken hearts go? Tell me coz I'm ten feet down :((

Zara Navy Culottes

I've got a confession. Here goes. I'm a serial Leaver-In-Bag of clothes. Whenever I buy something I let it rest a while in its little carrier bag. Whilst I recognize this is actually one a of key signifiers of being a shopaholic (face, bothered) I also know there's logic there somewhere. Hear me now! 1) I never know if I wanna take something back. I always find I need to try on and try on again until I'm sure it's a keeper. Particularly given that so many store mirrors make you look thinner than you actually are. (H&M I'm looking at you- looking at me). 2) I like to separate 'old' and 'new'. All the old shit I'm bored of is stuffed into my wardrobe. And the new lovely amaze things are stuffed into bags scattered all over the floor. Somehow that system is 'cleaner' to me. And 3) The aforementioned wardrobe is literally so rammed that there's actually not room for owt new. (I'd start a Tictail and or a Depop...if only there were time). So, these culottes then (which oddly Zara are calling a skort- 2013 alert!). They're new and therefore very very creased. Coz- guess what?- they've been left in a bag. Wow, they really are messed-up. But imagine how cute they'd be without the wrinkles in 'em? Exactly. They've got this incred spilt leg detail which I'm sadly unable to bring you photographic evidence of due to the highly repulsive state of my legs. Next two purchases in the offing: fake tan and a steamer. Catch you soon xx

Breton- Cos//Culottes- Zara

Coatigan- Primark//Sneaks- Adidas

Beanie- Accessorize//Sunnies- Other Stories

What Happened When I Saw A Massive Fight On Instagram

So, quick rewind to Monday. It was lunchtime so I thought I'd browse through my feed on IG, whilst stuffing some quinoa and spinach into my voluminous gob. (I say browse, it was more like a feverish attempt at trying to keep up with the bloody thing. Anyone else's IG get completely out of control on 'em? Swear to god, if I don't look at it for a few hours it becomes this monsterous beast of images that I need to get through. And how annoying is it when it times out? Apologies to anyone whose pics I normally like and I may have missed- now you know why). As I was manically scrolling, I stumbled upon some major beef. Huge. Massive. Eyes on stalks. The whole bit. It was a show-down between a fashion blogger (let's call her Miss 7K) and an Inspo'er (let's call her Miss 3k). Here's how it rolled:-

Girl v Girl

Miss 7K accused Miss 3K of 'stealing' her pictures without crediting them. Miss 7K also said (in a seriously angry and very sweary way) that Miss 3K was refusing to delete or do anything about 'owning up' to the fact that a picture on her account was 'stolen'. Miss 3K (whose bio deets clearly stated 'this is an inspo account none of the pictures are my own') carried on taking a lot of flak and defending her actions (rather weakly admittedly, but it appeared that English was not her first language). Miss 7K rallied her troops and before too long a plethora of 'supportive' IGers had reported Miss 3K's account. 

Theft v Inspiration

This whole sorry tale got me to thinking. What is right and what is wrong when it comes to 'using' pictures on-line? If you follow my IG you'll know I post a mix of inspos and my own pics. I love seeking out an image that hasn't been seen 'everywhere' and throwing it into the mix (although it is kinda depressing when that particular shot gets wayyy more likes than anything I've done myself). I always state my source, but more often than not my source is the murky world of Tumblr where images are routinely not credited. To take Miss 7K's theory to its most extreme, the whole of Tumblr should basically be shut down. There are shades of grey in all of this, and I found myself asking 'What would I feel if I were in that situation?' (God only knows it's distinctly unlikely anyone will ever wanna pinch one of my images but for the sake of this post let's make that leap of faith). And I could only conclude I wouldn't actually care much. Of course it's nice to get credited, but I don't think I'd be doing what Miss 7K did (which actually amounted to bullying). Another fashion blogger who waded into the whole thing- Miss 25k- commented 'people don't realise how much work goes into creating pictures'. And I thought (the cogs were really whirring and clicking on Monday), actually, people very well know how much work it takes to create a beautiful image and most of them don't have the time or the skillz to do it themselves so they 'resort' to 'theft'. 

The Conclusion

A bright spark once commented 'there are only five original ideas in the whole of human artistry, everything else is plagiarism'. And I'd go with that. (Soz copyright lawyers and Marvin Gaye's fam). There are many things to get pissed off about when it comes to blogging and gramming, but I try and take the Marcel Duchamp approach where poss. His glass work 'The Bride Stripped Bare By Her Bachelors' got smashed during transit going from one museum to another and he was very cool about the whole debaclé and said he didn't mind and that his art (once he'd glued it all back together) maybe even looked better all patched-up and with visible damage. His chilledness is my inspo. (And if inspo is theft then lock me up with Pharrell and Robin T. Actually, on second thoughts, make that just Pharrell).

PS By the way, both of these pics are my own, feel free to 'borrow'/'use'/'steal'/'pin'/'tumble'/'ignore' as you see fit. And hit me up with your thoughts on this whole issue too :) xx

The Flares Have It

I dunno about you, but the main problem I've had thus far in trying to find a pair of flares I like can be summed up in one word- fat. Virtually every pair I've squished myself into have made me feel like a right chubby chubster. Almost like the scourge of the remove, you might say. (One for the Billy Bunter fans there). That was, until I happened upon these lil' beauts. They've got a sort of a slight Spanx vacuum-packed effect going on (I like) and it turns out they are also good to exercise in should you feel the need (not so much over here). I've paired them with this tunic top (part of an amaze two-piece) and I must say I feel very 2015 in the whole look (in a 90s revival kinda way). Hit me up with your flare thoughts chicas, catch you soon xx PS Soz for the sans-sunnies pic. You can probably see just how swollen and froggy my eyes are (swear to god they are gonna pop out me heid soon) PPS Double soz for the picture overload PPPS Triple soz for the unfortunate waistband line manifesting in most of these frames (just wanted to explain lest you thought I had some bizarre hip-to-hip scar thing going on)

Flares- H&M//Tunic- H&M

Bag- Gucci//Boots- Zara

Beanie- Topshop//Sunnies- And Other Stories

7 Very Important Style Questions (And Answers)

I've seen a lot of bloggers recently do Q and As with themselves. Whilst a bit WTF and narcissistic, I thought I'd jump on the hype anyway. So let's get asking and answering. When I say "let's" I mean "me me me". (Seriously though, Freud would have to write another volume with all this ego flying around).

1. What Do You Buy In Bulk?

I have a few Cos Breton tops as they're really quite cheap and I love the shape. I also always repurchase Gap bra tops as I hate wearing normal bras (backache city). I always used to buy loads and loads of  Topshop Jamie jeans, until I made the leap to Acne Skin 5s and now they're the only skinny I wear.

2. What Have You Worn And Regretted?

I actually never regret anything I wear as I know at the time I loved it and thought I looked the bomb. I used to be wayyy more out there when I was younger (I was a club-kid and very experimental) but even when I think back to some of those outfits now I'm still pleased with them! Having said all that perhaps wearing a Juventus top at university was ill-advised (particularly given that I support Fiorentina). In my defence however, it was stolen (off my bezzie's boyfriend) with the aim in mind of getting Rob off the football team to notice me. It dint work though, obvs. He did throw a football at my head once though on the grass outside the refectory which I took to have great passive-aggressive significance.

3) What's The Most Daring Thing You've Ever Worn?

Back to my clubbing days again, I once wore a Whistles bikini top for a night out with a pair of very low slung 501s. Thinking back it was a ledge move :)

4) What Trends Do You Never Tire Of?

I always love a 60s revival. That whole Bardot thing of a Breton, a skinny cropped trouser, ballet flats, a hair band and a cat-eye. I also love an It Bag. And I've 'invested' in a lot of 'em. Oops.

5. What Will You Never Wear?

I'd like to think I won't do bandage dresses or stripper heels or Michael Kors watches, but who knows?

I also absolutely hate those fake Converse that Ash do.

6. Who Is Your Dream Wardrobe Swap?

I'd like to just roam around Tamara Ecclestone's closet simply coz I reckon it's so vast. I also think Kate Bosworth's 'drobe is probably heavenly. And maybe Mary-Kate and Ashley's too.

7. Do You Prefer Heels Or Flats?

Flats flats and more flats. I can't walk in heels at all- I look like a tranny.

Photos by Tommy Ton via style.com

Apartment Pants

Remember that episode of Friends where Jen-An invents apartment pants? Ever since then I've been obsessed with the very concept of APs. These amaze new trews from H&M don't exactly qualify for the category, but I like to make priddy much every trouser I own go under that heading. (Just coz I love saying apartment pants/buying apartment pants/pretending I'm in an ep of Friends 10 years too late). So, let's discuss these APs. They've got a bit of everything going on. A bit of smartness, a bit of relaxedness, a bit of flare and of course, a bit of apartmentness. (I also love the jacket that goes with them. Pure Space 1999 Meets Man About Town 1974). I decided to put them with a skinny rib cotton polo neck which was something of a mistake, given the state of my front bumpers. There's basically just too much of them to set this top of nicely as I would've liked (and let's be honest, there's a lorra droopage too). Ever since I had to change my diet though, to try and help my eye condition (no wheat no dairy no sugar no fruit no caffeine no nicotine no deadly nightshades no nuthin') my body is just expanding rapidly in all directions (I think it must be the high protein, cut me in half and all you will see is avocado and quinoa). Anyroad. Are you feeling any new trooser shapes this season? Are you embracing flares? And tell me I'm not to only nutjob to base my wardrobe on a sitcom :) Catch you soon xx

Skinny Rib- Topshop//Apartment Pants- H&M

Beanie- Topshop//Sunnies- And Other Stories

Sneaks- Adidas//Cardi- H&M

How I Instagram

Instagramming is not- I have to confess- my fave thing to do in the world. In fact, it freaks me out. I struggle to just throw a few snaps on there, not be arsed how they're perceived (Read: How.Many.Sodding.Arsehole.Likes.They.Get) and and then piss off and do something less boring instead. (Hi Why Don't You Fans!). No, instead- I stress and I plan. (Which is very much a lifelong habit in regards to, well, just about everything). As a fashion blogger this stuff is i-m-p-o-r-t-a-n-t (appaz) coz we have to 

p-r-o-m-o-t-e. Endlessly. And I like my IG to look as pretty as poss. So- how do my lil' works of art (lolz) come into being? Here's how it goes:

Step 1- Get A Backache

For these shots (and lots like it) I lie down on very hard oak floor. A while back I bought a few pieces of white card from the art shop near me, and I generally use those now for all my 'laying back and thinking of England' snaps. I have to hope and pray the light is good when I find the time to L.B.A.T.O.E. Then I have to take a lorra lorra frames. Most are so shit it's, like, bare jokes bruv. Then I upload to my laptop and ask myself why I'm not Sincerely Jules.

Step 2- Get Editing

There's usually all sorts of stuff that needs to be done to make a picture grammable. You have to remember that your pic is out there in perpetuity (unless you delete of course) and someone may even- gasp- RG you. (You didn't know the Pope's a Prod did you?). So I use Facetune. I take out any bits of dirt and stray hairs that get on my lovely white cardboard (seriously, there are loads of these).

Step 3- Fine Tune

You're probably thinking this frame (above) looks wayyyy too light compared to first one. And for the purposes of blogging I'd have to agree. But on IG I like to try and have lots of light in my pics. (I actually really admire 'dark' accounts- yes- I realise how First World and ridiculous that sounds- but I'm starting to think I may wanna go over to the dark side). Anyway. For fine tuning I use Photo Toaster. I play with the exposure, the temperature, the contrast and the brightness until my frame is lighter than a feather.

Step 4- Filter Lyfe

Then it's back to Facetune for some filtering. My faves on there are Azure and Zaffire. I also like Afterlight as well and if I'm going black and white my most used option on there is Ash.

Step 5- Releasing Your Baby Into The Wild

As with all sorts of a stuff in life- timing is everything. I find I tend to get a better response towards the end of the working day so I try and aim to gram at about 5.30 or 6pm. I actually hate being tactical and having to try and 'optimize' (cringe) on there but if you wanna get noticed/get likes/get blog clicks/get follows/get popular/become the next Chiara Ferragni/run the world then you have to consider this type of balls.

Lemmie know how you gram, what your fave filters are and what are your fave kinda feeds. 

Catch you soon xx

Pants- Zara//Sneaks- Adidas

Belt Up

There's a lot of belted coat action going down in the blogosphere right now, so I decided to leap right in and join the fray. All of a sudden it looks a bit fresher, dontcha think? Being both a) lazy and b) skint I decided to grab an old belt (in this case one from Comptoir Des Cotonniers), add in a Topshop coat (also old) and see what the hell happened. Annnnddd....I reckon it worked out kinda okay. I'm now thinking something new and pre-belted might be my next port of call. Speaking of new, these pinstripe trews are fresh onto the floordrobe. They've got a nice kick to them and I'm liking the cropped element as well. Are you investing in any belted pieces this SS15? Hit me up and lemmie know :) xx

Coat- Topshop//Sweater- Gap

Trousers- Zara//Boots- Zara//Beanie- H&M

Belt-Comptoir Des Cotonniers//Sunnies- And Other Stories