Beauty Budget Buy: Nars Light Optimising Gift Set

Good Morning Beauties!

I know I have already raved on at you about the NARS light optimizing primer, but I am going to again because during my much needed shopping spree in Selfridges last night I came accross the best deal..EVER. I cannot leave the house without applying my light optimizing primer and translucent powder from NARS and yesterday, whilst I only went in for a foundation pump, spotted the two items and a make up bag beautifully displayed on the counter. I was informed that for £30 you could have the light optimizing primer and the translucent pressed powder equipped with a dazzling red make up bag rather than £50 which the primer and powder cost RRP. That was a done deal as they are necessities to my reigime and well..you can never have too much make-up I say.

The gift set comes inside a black silk duffel bag with a make up bag and two light optimising products - the primer and the translucent powder (£30)

The make up bag itself is of a reasonable size, in radiant red embellished with juicy red lips. The bag comes in a lovely black, silk bag within the classic NARS packaging. Although it is irrelevant as it goes straight in the bin, I was impressed with the packaging of the set and the silk bag is sure to come in handy!

If you are a NARS virgin and have never used either products, I would reccommend you to pop down to your nearest store (Space NK/Selfridges) and try them out. The translucent powder is great for setting your foundation, and whilst the block white colour can be alarming, it appears as translucent as the name says it should be. With light refelcting particles in both the powder and the primer, they complement you for a glowing and radiant complexion. A must have in my eyes.

Bea {x}

The Secret Garden

As the lesser spotted sun made a rare sojourn from the clouds, my sister and I decided to stroll down to the King's Road to do a touch of shopping and grab some lunch whilst enjoying a glass on vino in the sunshine. Along the way we stumbled across what I like to call Chelsea's Secret flower Garden. This hidden gem portrays what appears like a spiritual garden, with the most beautiful flowers smothering the ground and the walls. We both had to get a photograph as we thought the backdrop was just far too cute!
 

What I Wore: Blazer, Skirt, Shirt, Belt and matching Headband - Zara, Sunglasses - H&M, Handbag - Chanel

Get the Look: All pieces are still in store (Zara) I would recommend the Knightsbridge store for the best pieces this season

What Lucy Wore: Puffa Jacket - Primark, T-Shirt - River Island, Jeans - Zara, Shoes - Leather All Star Converse, Handbag - Hermes, Sunglasses - Miu Miu

The Knightsbridge Zara has newly been renovated and they have definitely raised their standards stocking the best of this seasons collections. With a sharper edge and more delicate interior this store definately exceeds the expectations of any other Zara I have shopped in.

Bea {x}

TREND ALERT: BRIAN LICHTENBERG

ADORED by the likes of supermodels Cara Delevingne and Candice Swanepoel, pop stars Rihanna and Ciara and actresses Miley Cyrus and Ashley Benson; Brian Lichtenberg has a vast A-lister fan base for his urban collection of gimmicky apparel. The LA based designer has created slogans based on huge designer names such as Hermes (Homies), Balmain (Ballin) and Celine (Feline). Lichtenberg's play on words has spread globally with his witty fashion tees and sweatshirts along with baseball caps and beanies being snapped up worldwide. Big-name UK retailers such as Harvey Nichols now stock his edgy apparel as well as online retailers such as Net-A-Porter and online fashion boutiques such as Browns.

Brian Lichtenberg - courtesy of ELLE

After discovering Lichtenberg's work I have found myself with a rather abominably long wish-list, one which stretches beyond my bank account. Whilst his pieces are made in LA, they are of course more expensive over here in the UK...exporting cost and all that Jazz, however they range from £34 for one of his knitted beanies to £100 for a sweater. Unless you want one of everything, then you are in trouble! ££££

Rihanna, Cara Delevingne, Ciara and Candice Swanepoel all wearing Brian Lichtenberg

Cara Delevingne wearing red Bucci tank

Say Thank You To Your Father This Fathers Day

For those that do not already know Father's Day is on June16th and is fast approaching. My father is my best friend, yet I have to admit I am awful when it comes to this day as I always forget when it is and end up finding a last minute fix, which is never that great. This year I want to say thank you to my father for being the amazing person he is and for always standing by me. I thought I would share some great gift ideas for Father's day as in tribute.

Starbucks Coffee Machine - £149
(http://www.starbucksstore.co.uk)

Canali Printed Silk Pocket Square - £55
(http://www.mrporter.com)

Marc by Marc Jacobs Textured-Leather IPAD Sleeve - £105

Introductory Flying Lesson - £129

Callaway Golf Balls - £10.99

Jean Paul Gaultier "Le Male" - £44

Kiehls mens grooming - Start at £8 (for all 4 £72)

You could also treat you father to lunch/dinner or alternatively, if you aren't looking to spend money you could spend some time doing something he wants to do (for example go to a museum or plan a day of activities he enjoys) or if you're arty and creative, you could hand-craft something meaningful such as a decorated poem or drawing. 

Bea {x}

Beauty: Budget Buy: Baby Bottom Butter

By the title of this post many of you are probably thinking eh? I would! A strange story..We always have this product in our bathroom cupboard at home, we use it as a Vaseline sort of thing, for dying eyebrows and eyelashes etc.. Recently with the weather in London constantly changing, it has resulted in my skin becoming extremely dry and I've been feeling self-conscious and frustrated. I've used an array of moisturisers day/night but nothing seems to be a quick solution. The other day I thought; well Vaseline cures dry lips however its far too greasy to cover my face with (unless you want to look as though you buried your face in a frying pan) so I opted to try out the 'Baby Bottom Butter' and voila my skin genuinely feels like a baby's bottom. Even better so, it works unbelievably well as a primer! I have started applying a thin layer of the butter to my face followed by my Nivea Express Hydration Primer creating the smoothest base for applying your make up on to. 

Who would have thought for just £1 you could get skin as soft as a baby's bottom as well as a fabulous primer! No I didn't think it was possible either! In addition to this my skin has remarkably cleared up in such a short space of time. My favourite budget buy this week. You can buy this product in all Waitrose Supermarkets. Hope you enjoy it dolls! 

Bea {x} 

Beauty: New Spring Additions To My Make-up Bag

"I don't understand how a woman can leave the house without fixing herself up a little, if only out of politeness. And then, you never know, maybe that's the day she has a date with destiny. And it's best to be as pretty as possible for destiny." 

- COCO CHANEL

I couldn't have said it better myself. This is definitely a saying I live by. I cannot bear the thought of walking down the street in a tracksuit and no make-up. I just can't and never would. Something my grandmother always said to me was "always wear pretty underwear in case you get hit by a car". It is a metaphor...you never know who you might meet or who could see you so always look your best. This refers back to both make-up and fashion which combine beautifully. I am not saying you should smother your face, because you don't need to, even if its just a bit of lipgloss or a layer of mascara or eyeshadow.

Where am I going with this you are probably asking...?

Beauty Secrets: Did you know...?

Buy one get one free, Get 3 for the price of 2, FREE mascara worth £9.50...

These are few of the many incentives offered to the consumer on a day-to-day basis to draw in customers...and my gosh does it work. I love a good bargain and the amount of times I have paid more than I bargained for just to gain my incentive are endless...sometimes I wonder whether it's worth it and sometimes one could argue its not.

Yet one of my favourite incentives is MACs empty bottle recycling scheme. I thought that EVERYBODY knew about this but too often I find that friends of mine have no clue! So I thought I had to share it with you all!

If you return 6 empty tubs/bottles/tins (or whatever you have) or 3 empty lipsticks you can choose a brand new lipstick for free! This is part of the reason why I love MAC so much and I remain a loyal customer...this incentive does work! Enjoy!



Bea {x}

Follow Bea Fashionista on Twitter @beafashionista1
Like Bea Fashionista on Facebook here