Charlotte Tilbury Haul and Review

(I may have also purchased a sneaky Nars product during my CT haul)

Charlotte Tilbury is my favourite makeup brand and has been for quite a while now. So as soon as I got some birthday money I headed straight to Selfridges to try out some of her new products. Charlotte Tilbury has recently launched her Eyes To Mesmerise Cream Eyeshadow collection and her limited edition Norman Parkinson collection. When I was at the counter I picked up two cream eyeshadows and a cream blush and lipstick from the Norman Parkinson collection. 

Eyes to Mesmerise Cream Eyeshadows 

I decided to pick up two shades from the Eyes to Mesmerise collection, Norma Jean and Marie Antoinette. I went for these two because they were the two I had my eyes on as soon as the collection came out. 

Norma Jean is a pretty shimmery champagne shade named after Marilyn Monroe before she was famous. It's a great product to make you look glamorous with minimal effort. This shade really opens up the eyes and can be worn both night and day depending on how much you apply. 

The second shade I picked up was Marie Antoinette named after the famous Queen of France. Charlotte Tilbury describes it as an "antique oyster gold hue". It's hard to fully describe the taupe/bronze shade but that's what I love about it, it's so unique. It's also perfect for a day or a night time look depending on how you apply it. 

The formula is quite watery but that means that it is easily blendable once applied, which means you have more time to work with it. I prefer this formula to Charlotte Tilburys eyeshadow pencils that dry quite quickly and are hard to blend out. The watery consistency also looks really pretty on the eyes. It dries well and relatively quickly while still keeping that sheer effect. The colour lasts a really long time too with minimal creasing or sliding. They also come in gorgeous packaging, like all Charlotte Tilbury products. I can't wait to try some more shades. 

Norman Parkinson Matte Revolution Lipstick

The Matte Revolution Lipsticks are also a new edition to the Charlotte Tilbury collection, and I have wanted to try some for a while, but I had to go for the limited edition Norman Parkinson one as soon as I saw it. Charlotte has released two shades for the Norman Parkinson collection, Miss Kensington and 1975 Red. I went for 1975 Red because it is the perfect orange red lipstick shade. 

It's one of those colours that is bold but can work on almost anyone. It's fun, flirty and summery but with an air of sophistication. The texture is matte but still hydrating and it lasts for such a long time on the lips. It looks great with a clear lipgloss over the top too. It's perfect for a bold lip look on a summer night out paired with a bronzey glow. I also like to wear it in a more muted way for the day time, applying only a small amount and blending it out. It's been my favourite lip look of the summer. 

Norman Parkinson Colour of Youth

This is possibly the prettiest product I have ever purchased, from the light pink box to the gold packaging with Norman Parkinson's beautiful wife Wenda on the front. Even the cream blush itself looks so pretty I didn't want to ruin it by touching it. If you want to splash out on a pricey but worthy product then I'd recommend this beauty before it's gone. 

The colour is a soft rosy pink that leaves a natural, glowy, fresh effect on the skin. It is the perfect everyday cream blush that can also be used as a hydrating lip colour. It's luxurious in every way, including the formula which contains Hyaluronic acid to keep the skin moisturised and youthful. Apply a small amount with the fingertips or a stippling brush to create a dreamy flush. 

Have you tried any of Charlotte Tilbury's new collections? 

August Favourites

It's the beginning of September which means it's that time to look back on the past month and see what we have loved for the past 31 days. I've got quite a few new discoveries on my August Favourites this time around, and I can't get enough of all of them!

Rimmel Salon Pro by Kate Nail Varnish in Hip Hop

I have worn this nail varnish shade for almost the whole length of August. It's the perfect bright corally red shade for summer. It lasts a really long time which is quite a feat for me as most of my nail varnish chips after a few days. If you use two coats, and then add a clear coat of Rimmel Top Coat, it can last for about a week. I've had quite a few compliments about the colour too. The best part about this purchase it that it's only £4.49! I'm definitely going to try out some different shades next time I raid Boots.

Jo Malone Hand and Body Lotion in Nectarine Blossom and Honey

This was a 21st birthday gift from Jess and I absolutely love it. It smells incredible, like most Jo Malone products, I just want to eat it! The Nectarine Blossom and Honey scent is floral and fruity at the same time. The lotion is really moisturizing, and not too thick and sticky like some lotions can be. Another bonus is that it lasts a really long time and I can usually smell the product on me for the rest of the day.

Nars Audacious Lipstick in Anita

This was also a 21st birthday present off a friend, and I've used it so much. I already had the Nars Audacious Lipsticks in a dark red shade called Charlotte and a dark pink shade called Audrey, which I have worn on many a night out. So I was so happy that I got more of an everyday shade like Anita, I wore it to work quite a lot this month. It's a beautiful rosey pink shade and it's creamy but lasts a few hours without having to reapply. I love the sleek black packaging too, it makes the lipstick seem even more luxurious.

Stila Eyes Are the Window Eyeshadow Palette in Soul

I bought this palette in Sephora in my final days in New York. I'd read good reviews online and when I finally saw the palette in real life I just had to have it (I may have routed through a few drawers which I'm pretty sure customers aren't supposed to go in). It has a mixture of warm, cool, matte and shimmery shades. The colours blend really well and the colour pay off is amazing. I bought the palette in America but they are available online in the UK. There are 3 other versions of the palette too if this one doesn't float your boat.

Charlotte Tilbury Cream Eyeshadows in Norma Jean and Marie Antoinette

I'd been waiting for these bad boys to arrive for a long time and waited until I got some money for my birthday so I could splurge at the Charlotte Tilbury counter. I'm so glad I bought these. I love the two shades Norma Jean, a shimmery champagne colour, and Marie Antoinette, a taupe brown. The colour pay off is great and you only need a tiny bit to cover the whole eyelid. They also last all day long with barely any smudging or movement on the eyelids. 

Charlotte Tilbury Lipstick in 1975 Red

If you read my August Wishlist, you'll know I was going through a bit of an orangey-red lip phase during August. I tried a few including the Kendall Jenner limited edition lipstick and the Revlon Ultra HD lipstick in Poppy, but my favourite one was the Charlotte Tilbury Lipstick in 1975 Red. It's orangey red but not too orange. The formula is matte but is really creamy and doesn't dry out the lips at all, and it lasts a long time. It's great for a summer night time lip or I like to apply a small amount and then blend it out on the lips for a more subtle day time look. 

Tiffany Key Necklace

I've got a bit of a theme going on here but this was also a 21st birthday present off my mum. I knew I wanted something Tiffany for my 21st so when my mum asked if I wanted anything I gave her a list of a few Tiffany items I'd wanted for a while. She chose this beautiful Knot Key Pendant. I've always wanted something from the Key collection since it was released. I love the knot pattern in the middle of the key and that it has the Tiffany Blue enamel. I wanted to save it for special occasions but I've worn it pretty much everyday since I got it. It's so pretty, I just can't help myself. 

What have your favourites been throughout August?

Audrey Hepburn's 85th Birthday

Today (4th May) would have been the iconic Audrey Hepburn's 85th Birthday. As she is one of mine and Jess' favourite actresses and all time icons, I thought I would do a post on everything we love about Audrey!

1. Breakfast at Tiffany's

What's not to love about this great classic film? It is both mine and Jess' all time favourite film. Firstly because Audrey is so chic and talented in the film and she brings the character of Holly Golightly to life! Although Truman Capote, the author of the novella that that the film was based on, originally wanted Marilyn Monroe to play the lead in the film, we're so glad they eventually chose Audrey. Who else could have pulled off the stylish little black dress better than her? Also we've never seen eating a danish (which Audrey hated) done so gracefully with such stylish pearls, gloves and huge sunglasses. Another added bonus is the beautiful Jewellery shown at Tiffany's and the fact that the film is set in our favourite city of New York. Also the final scene in the alleyway in the rain with Paul and Holly is one of the greatest film endings and love stories. And of course the film would be nothing without her sidekick Cat! 

2. Her Style 

Audrey Hepburn is known for her amazing style. Think little black dresses, sunglasses and beige trench coats in Breakfast at Tiffany's and cigarette pants and black jumpers in Funny Face, as well as cute sundresses and gorgeous ball gowns worn in many of her other films. Audrey is the epitome of classic and sophisticated style both in her films and everyday life. No wonder she is a fashion icon for so many. 

3. Her Beauty

I love Audrey's simple yet sophisticated beauty look. Her signature strong arched brows are definitely making a comeback recently and her cat-eye eyeliner to enhance her long eyelashes is a classic that we all still try and copy today. Add a pink nude lipstick and a neutral eye shadow and you have Audrey's gorgeous every day and easily wearable look. She also had some unforgettable hairstyles throughout her career from a short bob to her famous beehive in Breakfast at Tiffany's.

4. Her Wise Words

Audrey wasn't only beautiful and talented, she was also wise. She always came out with great phrases and inspirational quotes. Some of my favourites include "The best thing to hold onto in life is each other.", "I believe in manicures. I believe in overdressing. I believe in primping at leisure and wearing lipstick. I believe in pink. I believe happy girls are the prettiest girls. I believe that tomorrow is another day, and... I believe in miracles.", "I've been lucky. Opportunities don't often come along. So, when they do, you have to grab them.", "There are certain shades of limelight that can wreck a girl's complexion.", and of course "Paris is always a good idea". 


5. Her Charitable Nature

Audrey was also known for her kind spirit and charitable nature. She dedicated a lot of her time to helping those in need, especially working as a Goodwill Ambassador for the Charity Unicef. She spent some of the last years of her life working with disadvantaged children in African, Asian and South American communities. 

6. Her Acting

Audrey certainly had an incredible acting range and no matter what her role was she always seemed to pull it off with class and sophistication. Of course our favourite role was Holly Golightly in Breakfast at Tiffanys in which she managed to play troubled yet chic so well. Another great role was Jo in Funny Face which she acted with such sweetness and innocence. And who could forget one of her first major roles as the fun loving Princess Ann in Roman Holiday (riding on a Vespa through Rome is definitely one for the bucket list). She's also played a nun in The Nun's Story, a screenwriter/spy in Paris When It Sizzles, an awkward dreamer in Sabrina transformed into an elegant woman, a working class Cockney Flower Girl turned into a High Society lady and many more. Her films are timeless classics that will still be watched in years to come. 

7. Her Singing

I think Audrey didn't get enough credit for her singing capabilities. Her voice was dubbed over in My Fair Lady, replaced by Julie Andrews, but she wasn't that bad of a singer. Who can forget her sincere and honest performance of Moon River in Breakfast at Tiffany's on the balcony of Holly's apartment. Also she managed to sing well in the film Funny Face. Although it wasn't the greatest singing in the world she was still talented and brought a quirkiness and character to her singing roles. Her version of Moon River will always be my favourite. 

Audrey will always be an icon for us due to her classic and timeless style, her fantastic acting and her great personality. 

Happy 85th Birthday Audrey!
What are your favourite things about Audrey Hepburn?