The Fashtag Launch Party!

Hey everyone! Last week Friday I came back from a wonderful art trip to the beautiful city of London! I have had problems with my internet so I have not been able to upload anything to my blog, but now that it is better I am uploading something that I really want to share. 

On the 22nd of November, I was invited to the Fashtag Launch Party, in Carnaby street, and what an experience it was! Having a fairly underground YouTube channel and Blog, it was great to get out there and meet many big names in the fashion blogging world. I was lucky enough to me Lexi from sototallyvlog and BeautybyJJ. As I am a huge fan of Lexi, it was amazing to meet her in person. From afar I saw Made In Chelsea's Rosie Fortescue and Shingai Shoniwa from the Noisettes. It was amazing to meet everyone in personal actually  Lots of famous faces that you never thought you would see in flesh are with you in the same room is very overwhelming. 

I was there for just over an hour and half, and in that time I got my make up done by a lovely lady who is make up artist for the Illamasqua makeup brand. She created an amazing smokey eye on me that looked fantastic. Whenever I do it myself, it always looks a little messy, but with her it looked fab! Once my make up was done, I had a little photo shoot. This was really fun! Afterwards I was interviewed by Goldyrocks for a while which was a lovely experience. A small part of the interview has been put into their official launch video which I am really chuffed about! Be sure to check out the video down below! 

I had a limited amount of time, so I am very grateful for being able to have attended to launch! Thanks Fashtag for letting me come down! I can not wait to see what happens to the channel!

Nars Pro-Prime Pore Refining Primer • Review

£21 - Nars Pro-Prime Pore Refining Primer

Having trouble with my foundation, finding the Nars Sheer Matte Foundation that I recently did a review, (click here if you are interested) was a life saver. The same day I got the foundation, I picked up the Nars Pro-Prime Pore Refining Primer. The reason I came across it was because the lady at the Nars counter heard that my recent foundation made my face quite oily, so she suggested using this. 

The Nars Pro-Prime Pore Refining Primer works by slowly circling a moderate amount all over your face before you put on your foundation. It works as a primer but also to shrink the pores. This means less dirt enters your pores and therefore (hopefully) less pimples and outbreaks. As there is no oil, it reduces the amount of oil that is produced on your face over the day, because many product have unneeded extra oil that we don't want! This is great for me because the last foundation I used made my face feel very oily. I've found out that it's better to put it on and wait five minutes so the cream can dry and has worked it's magic! This means it does not interfere with the foundation aplication as well. 

After using this product for a few weeks now, I do notice a difference. I also have a new foundation, so that could also have something to do with it. My face does feel a lot less oily when it has foundation on, and a lot less irritating. I don't feel the need to constantly see if I look okay and don't feel like I look moist. I do think it's a good product and glad I was recommended it! I hope this post was helpful to those in the same situation and need a product like this! Lots of love xoxo

Nars Sheer Matte Foundation • Review

 Nars Sheer Matte Foundation - £40

I for one have a little difficulty finding the right foundation for my face, because of many factors. If it makes my skin feel oily I both feel and notice that my skin looks slightly moist which of course something nobody wants. Also, if I don't get the right colour I end getting the classic oompa loompa face because I get a shade too dark. This is why I am very happy that I purchased the Nars Sheer Matte Foundation!

A couple of weeks ago my mum and I went to Selfridges in London for a girly evening. We weren't there for anything in particular, but just to look around and see what they had. Once we got into the make up section I instantly went to the Nars stand because I had heard a lot about their foundation and really wanted one that worked for me. The lady at the stand matched me up with the Nars Sheer Matte Foundation. As she put it on I noticed that it felt very light on the skin almost like I didn't have any on at all. She taught me that the great thing about the Nars foundation is that you can layer it with out it feeling or looking thick. For blemishes or more red areas you can layer a little more if needed. After she had finished I really did feel a vast improvement from my last foundation and that the layering and colour looked very natural and light. My bought it for me with some other products for her self so we were very happy with that evening. 

After using the Nars Sheer Matte Foundation for a good amount of time now, I do see a difference from my other foundation. The last foundation I used was the Studio Sculpt SPF 15 Foundation by Mac. This foundation is good, however I did notice after a while that it did have that irritating oily sensation and look about it so I definitely was interested in finding a new one. Another thing was that I could feel it whenever I touched my face and that it came off if I did so. This new foundation however really doesn't feel like it is there so it does irritate me at all. I recommend you go out and see if you like this product but be sure to try it at a parlor before buying it because it is a little pricey if it is not what you are looking for! Lots of love xoxo

Do you have trouble finding the right foundation?

♥

My Favourite Lipsticks

Here is a little blog post on my favourite lipsticks! I am starting with my two MAC lipsticks, then my Belavance, and last but definitely not least, my Topshop. I have filmed a video of this review on my YouTube channel "monicaaliceeShow''. The link to my channel is on the side bar, on the right, so take a look and see what you think! Subscribe and follow if you enjoy reading and watching!

PLEASE ME, MAC:

I had wanted this lipstick for a very long time, and was lucky enough to get it for Christmas from my mum! We were at the airport on the way to the U.K, and we bumped into the MAC stand. We had a little look round and I found this colour. My mum found one she liked, so we got each other it for Christmas! I love MAC and think the quality is really good. However, I do not wear MAC when my lips are dry and chipped because it makes my lips look even more unhealthy. This usually happens when I am poorly or in the winter, but apart from that I think it is a very good lipstick. I am not to sure how much it was because it was a present, but I think it was around €15/£13. 

BLANKETY, MAC:

I got this lipstick from a friend of mine, and I am very happy she got it for me. Like my other MAC, it is very good quality and recommend it to everyone, except when you have dry lips! I use it as my everyday lipstick, because it is rather plain and nude, and I do not like to wear very bright lipstick to school. It taste and smells really nice, and so does my other MAC, which is always a good thing! It was a present so I have no clue how much it was, but again I think it is around €15/£13. 

RED, BELAVANCE:

This is my oldest lipstick, but one of my favourites. Every girl needs her red lipstick, and this is mine. It was VERY red and can be hard to apply without it going wrong, so I use a small lipstick brush to apply it. If I do not, it will smudge and go everywhere! I have forgotten how much it was because it was such a long time ago. I wear this when I go out, because it is a very bright colour. It is quite good quality, my if you drink a lot is smudges, so it is a good idea to lightly apply a lipstick protector on top to keep it nice.

BRIGHTON ROCK, TOPSHOP MAKE-UP:

This is my dark pink colour, and I am so happy with it! The quality is not as good as some lipstick, as it smudges off after a while, but for a few hours it is fine. It is not that big of a problem because you can just reapply it later on. I wear this when I go out because it very bright. I really love this colour because it is so happy! I have seen similar colours from different makes, but of them really look like this, because it quite neon. Again, I use a lipstick brush to apply it because it is dark and then I will not smudge it everywhere! It cost me £9, in the 2011 summer. 

DESSERT, TOPSHOP MAKE-UP:

This used to be my everyday lipstick, until I saw that Topshop had stop selling it! I only use it when I think it will really look good with the outfit, because I am scared that it will run out soon! Again, the quality means you need to apply it every few hours, but I really do not mind because the colour is beautiful. It is a very nude colour, which has a tint of orange which makes it look like a tan. It is my favourite of them all and hope it never finishes! It cost me £9 in the 2011 summer. Both my Topshop lipsticks smell and taste really nice! I think it smells a little like lavender, but I am not too sure, all I know is that it is nice!

Shopping Haul/ Review

I purchased this jumper from www.riverisland.com, but it can also be bought in their selected shops. It was full priced at £40. The whole jumper is a midnight blue. The actually jumper's material is: 75% Cotton and 25% Polyester.

The fur collar at the top is a key statement in the product. It is detachable with little buttons (as seen underneath) so is optional to wear it. The fur is not real fur and is made from: 41% Polyester, 31% Acrylic and 28% Modacrylic.  

The washing instructions state the before washing, the collar must be removed and can handle a cool iron, but tumble drying and dry cleaning is advised not too. 

I love this jumper, because it fits really nicely and even though it is quite thin, it keeps me relatively warm. The fur collar is something I love and the reason I bought it because it is different. The colour of the fur is gorgeous and very Autumn. I love dark blue which also another reason I chose the jumper to be a midnight colour. 

This jumper was from a department store, in the Jane Norman section and was on sale at the beginning of November which was the time I bought it. It was €25 reduced from €40. The material of the jumper is 100% Acrylic. The washing instructions state: to wash dark clothes apart, not to bleach and not to tumble dry. Also, to dry flat, iron on the lowest temperature and not to dry clean.

The reason I bought the jumper was not to keep me warm, because as you can see it is not designed for that, but because I have been looking for a jumper with huge holes in for a very long time. I saw one in Top Shop over a year ago and really regret not buying it, so I have been on the look out for a similar one ever since. The jumper is cropped to just below the belly button which is why I would wear a string top underneath other wise it is a little revealing! 

This blouse was purchased at the begging of December in a department store in the Oasis section. It cost €31 in sale reduced from €40. The material it is made from is: 100% Polyester. 

The washing instructions state to only use non-biological detergent when washing and to keep dark clothes apart. When it is still damp reshape and dry flat.

The blouse as a silky top underneath the lace on the body, but the arms are left open. The chest has three simple yet pretty bows which also have buttons behind them to open the blouse.

I am in LOVE with this. The lace is very glamorous and great for going out or an even everyday outfit. I think I might even wear it on Christmas day! Lace has been very in this year, from the royal wedding I think. Her dress was beautiful.

This head bend was bought on www.riverisland.com with the fur jumper above and costed £6. Inside the headband there is a wire that makes it easy to shape around your head in a position that pleases you. The outside is made from a midnight blue silky material which I find very glamorous and Kate Middleton.  

I had one of these headbands a few months ago but it went missing. I was quite upset about it because they are really handy and comfy to wear because they stay the position you put them in. I chose this material and colour because I adore dark blue and the material is quite different. 

I purchased these earrings at the beginning of December from www.riverisland.com. They cost me a whole £5! I was very happy with this price. The earrings have a big diamond replica in the middle and lots of tiny ones surrounding the big one. 

I was so pleased to see these online because I lost some earrings that look very similar to these. Also, I only seem to wear diamond studs at the moment, which might be a phase. Who knows! They fit really well on my ears unlike some earrings that feel too heavy or feel like they might fall out at any moment. 

This bag was bought in a department store in the Jane Norman section. It cost me €40 at its full price which was at the beginning of November. 

I was really happy with it because it very smart but also quite casual, so I can use it at special events. The little tassled buckle (as seen below) on the front is a really nice touch to the whole bag because it makes it quite funky! I really like the red leathered material because I do not have a bag that is anything like this so it makes a nice change.

monicaalicee xoxo