Christmas Dresses xo

Christmas is very nearly upon us! Less than a month to go!

I've been scouring the High Street to find the perfect black Christmas dresses to get you through the festive season!





MISS SELFRIDGE - BLACK FISHTAIL BODYCON DRESS £37
This dress is floor length and full of elegance! This black dress has a statement silver zip at the back with a beautiful sheer fishtail at the bottom - this dress can also be dressed up or left simple. However I would suggest that the dress is more of a cocktail/evening dress as it is floor length!








ZARA - FAUX LEATHER FRILL DRESS £50
Leather is still a winter must and this cute dress is plain black with a faux leather frill at the bottom. I love the simplicity of this dress as you can dress it up or down for whatever the occasion. You can pop a chunky necklace with this dress for evening glamour and even add black opaques if its a little chilly! Team this dress with a plain black heel or even a pop of colour to brighten everyones day! Plus the dress is very reasonably priced as you can get away with wearing it on many occasions! 




FRENCH CONNECTION - MOONRAY SEQUIN DRESS £150
This dress is at the pricier end of the scale however this is due to the dress being covered in sequins - a Christmas classic! The dress has black sequins down both sides to create a fab slimming effect, the dress comes to around mid thigh however they do sell a longer version too! This dress is THE Christmas dress as it just screams festive!





NET A PORTER - ROBERTO CAVALLI PLEATED TIER SILK CHIFFON DRESS £2395
This dress is certainly at the pricier end of the scale! But it is a beautiful one off piece that will have everyone talking! The dress is ruffle heaven made up of three different materials the ruffles give the dress the classic look yet still looking up to date. This one is certainly on my wish list!





LondonBeautyGirl XO

Top 5 Hair Products You Need To Own!

So with the party season approaching our hair needs to be looking its best!

I have put together my top 5 hair products that are not only amazing but affordable!

1) Umberto Giannini Glam Hair Massive Mousse

This is a personal favourite of mine and I use it every time I wash and blow dry my hair - unlike many other volume mousses this one ACTUALLY works! Plus it smells amazing!
To use you simple shake the can well and put a little or a lot - depending on hairstyle into your hands and then put it onto damp hair then blow dry!
Top tip - I like to squirt it straight onto my hairbrush as I feel I get better coverage 

2) Umberto Giannini Glam Hair Backcomb In A Bottle

Every girls needs a 'daily' and a 'special occasion' hairspray. Now my 'special occasion' hairspray is this one which I happen to love on a night out as I feel it holds really well and just like the mousse smells amazing

3) L'Oreal Elnett Satin Very Volume Extra Strength Hairspray

This hairspray would be my 'daily' hairspray as it comes in a massive can and holds very well however it doesn't hold for as long as Umberto which is why I recommend it as a daily one. The smell isn't anything special and if you spray too much can leave a nasty taste in your mouth!

4) VO5 Treat Me Right Rinse Out Deep Conditioning Treatment

I like to use this on my hair every one to two weeks as it keeps it in great condition and revives it from heat such as hair dryers and straighteners. Just comb through your hair when you are in the shower or bath and leave for 3-4 minutes and then wash out - simple as that!

5) Ojon Rare Blend Oil Total Hair Therapy

This is the most expensive product on my list at £30 from Boots however it really does work! Although it may seem a little pricey it certainly isn't to be used daily and therefore I think you can get away with indulgence! There are also many other oil treatments available for a lot less that do the same thing!

LondonBeautyGirl XO

Looking to A/W

With LFW nearly over its time to get back to the high street and focus on A/W Women's 2012


My lovely boyfriend suggested this post so here we go with the top 5 for A/W to keep you bang on trend...

Embellishment on collars, shoulders and all over is HUGE for A/W. Theres plenty of pearls, spikes, buttons, sparkles and studs to keep you entertained on the high street. Zara is doing this trend very well at the moment with embellished blouses starting from around £30. I love these because they are on trend and very versatile, chuck it on with jeans and flats for a casual look or team it with a tailored short for a night out!






There are plenty of feathers and fluff ready for A/W - We see the return of the fluffy fur gilet from last A/W, I'd say this is a key look and also very versatile to dress up or down an outfit. Topshop are selling a black faux fur one for around £55 but as the fur changes quality so does the price so expect to pay around £300 for a nice one on the high street!






Leather, Leather and Leather! This look is back! We saw a little of it last A/W with leather trousers but now its taken over! There are lots of cute little black leather mini skirts and shorts about, as well as lots of leather on sleeves whether thats on jackets, jumpers or tops. I love this as it adds a certain 'edge' to an outfit but is also easily dressed up or down! Faux leather tops and bottoms are on the high street for reasonable prices but if you're looking for the real deal make sure your wallet is ready!






Zip detailing is great, it just adds a little more to a piece. We are all still loving the zips at the bottom of trousers but now in A/W 2012 we are seeing diagonal zips in jackets and coats which I think is a great funky look! Jackets and coats this season are also getting multiple zip detailing down the front, on the cuffs and by the pockets!






Sheer - S/S 2012 we saw mixi dresses with a little skirt underneath and then a sheer bottom well this is still hot for A/W. Its been seen on the catwalks in jackets, and little shift dresses. I like that this is different for A/W and adds a winter sexiness to the simplest outfits!

Blimey Brook!

Kelly Brook graced LFW in not one but two horrific outfits! (However she kept the shoes!)

Leopard Print!
I've never really been a fan of lots of leopard print and I really do not like it on KB.
This garish dress does nothing for her figure and the A line skirt makes her look much wider than she is!
The shoes don't go with the outfit and I am not a fan of the ankle strap they look more 'hooker' than 'fashion queen'.
Sorry Kel not a lover of this look and a bit of fake tan wouldn't go a miss!

Galactic!
I prefer this look to the leopard print as it shows off Kelly's true shape. The print is also a little garish but the high neck is flattering rather than having it all hanging out. However she hasn't ditched the shoes - a pair of flat black pumps or something a little less 'hooker' would have been more appropriate for LFW.

Tennis Golden Couple

Take this tennis power couple who were invited to the Burberry Prorsum show - Andy Murray & Kim Sears - who were also sat next to US Vogue Editor Anna Wintour.

Kim - Kim looks beautiful here and bang on trend, I love how she's kept it simple with the v neck white shift dress teamed with a double band brown belt. Kim has also picked the detailing from the belt and added a nude/brown clutch. Kim has picked a pointed toe patent nude court to finish the outfit off and compliments her outfit beautifully! Simple, elegant and beautiful!

Andy - I don't like this outfit - I think its far too casual for LFW and he looks more like he's going for a mid week dinner and not the front row at Burberry! And his shoes are awful! A pair of loafers would have been much more suitable and maybe even made the outfit look a little smarter! However the grey jumper and white shirt are always a classic look which I do like!

London Fashion Week

With LFW coming to an end I thought I'd look back at all the celebs who have graced the front row and see who's hot and who's not!

My 'views' on here are getting higher and higher - thanks for following guys!

If anyone wants any tips or wants me to recommend any beauty products just comment below!


LondonBeautyGirl XO

Luxurious L'Oreal

L'Oreal have done it again! L'Oreal Color Riche has landed!

These cute little bottles are more than just nail varnishes!

In 41 different shades these gel based colours are simply fabulous and very reasonably priced at £4.99 from Boots.

The shades range from pinks, greens, blue and neutrals - something for everyone!

I found the application pretty easy with a good brush however I wouldn't say that it lasts as long as the Essie polish which is still my favourite.

However L'Oreal Color Riche wins the award for the most reasonably priced and the gel base ensure better staying power than the 'normal' nail varnishes.

This is most certainly one to add to the collection! 8/10

LondonBeautyGirl XO

Revealing Revlon

Up next is the nail varnish full of glitz and sparkle!

Revlon Nail Enamel Sparkling priced at £6.49 from Superdrug

I purchased this nail varnish a few months ago now when 'glitter' nails were all the rage - I fell in love with this nail varnish which had big and small pieces of pink glitter with a slight pink clear varnish!

I've worn this nail varnish a few times - either on top of another colour such as a hot pink or just on its own for a subtle glitter look.

I must admit the glitter isn't 'in your face' and not very noticeable from far away - good if you don't want to end up looking horrific!

However both times I've worn it - on top of a hot pink and just onto a bare nail, its been a nightmare to take off!

The cotton pad rips as it gets caught on the glitter and you end up using tons of cotton and nail varnish remover! Very messy!

Although the varnish looks good when on your nails I don't if its worth all of the hassle! 6/10

LondonBeautyGirl XO

Exciting Essie

To kick this collection of nail varnish reviews off I've picked Essie!

This amazing American brand is now available in Boots stores!

You'll be pleased to know that once again L'Oreal has snapped up another amazing brand to add to their ever expanding collection! With L'Oreal on board you know that fabulous colours and amazing quality are guaranteed!

The nail varnish is reasonably priced at £7.99 from Boots stores - And it is certainly worth that!

I popped the 'pansy' colour on more than two weeks ago and NO CHIPS!!

No I am being serious - I think ladies we have finally found a nail varnish that doesn't chip!

I refreshed the colour at the end of the first week and I must say I will be running down to the Boots store to snap up some more of this amazing nail varnish! 

Essie now has over 70 shades so there is more than enough for every possible occasion!

I have been very impressed with this brand giving it a 10/10 as it is also still shiny despite wearing it for two weeks now!

LondonBeautyGirl XO

I'm Back!

I've rather neglected this blog recently after a very busy summer full of work and drama!

The next two weeks I am going to review all different types and brands of nail varnish and recommend my favourites!

I absolutely adore nail varnish and tend to go from one colour to another, I love the way painted nails can change an outfit or add a bit of sparkle and glamour.

LondonBeautyGirl XO

Top 10 Holiday Must Have's

Maybelline Forever Strong Pro £4.09 

This new nail varnish is perfect for holidays! It come in beautiful holiday colours - Nude Rose and Hot Salsa - and many more! But it also promises to stay for 7 days! (which it does - tried and tested, promise!) Enriched with iron and calcium this is THE perfect holiday nail varnish 

Boots Stacking Travel Pots £2.00

I always worry about going over my weight allowance when packing for my holidays but these amazing stacking pots from Boots means you never have to worry! Just pop your favourite lotions and potions into these perfect holiday sized pots!

Mark Hill Holiday Hair Sunshine Shampoo £1.99

This lovely little tube of shampoo has a gorgeous holiday smell and its great for revitalising hair after a long day in the sun!

Rimmel Natural Bronzer  £5.59

I like to wear minimal make up on holiday but bronzer is always a must to add a bit of tanned sparkle to your face before you head down to town! This relatively cheap bronzer is one of the best holiday bronzers and doesn’t matter if it doesn’t make it home for that price!

Simple Face Wipes £3.20

Perfect just to wipe away all that suncream, sea and sand after a long day tanning! If you have sensitive skin like me these are just fab with a natural fresh smell too!

Bourjois Magic Nail Pot £4.99

Theres nothing worse than taking a big bottle of nail varnish remover ‘just in case’ along with 5 million cotton pads ‘just in case’ this cute little pots

Garnier Ambre Solaire After Sun Hydrating Tan Maintainer £7.99 

This great after sun also helps to maintain your tan - bonus! I like to continue to use after sun for around 2 weeks after my holiday after every shower as it is richer than most moisturisers and stops that nasty holiday peel!

Bare Minerals Eye Make Up Remover £12.00

This remover is kind to skin and in a little bottle perfect for travelling! Try the simple range for low cost options too!

Nivea Lip Care Sun Protect £3.29

Its never a good idea to wear lip gloss in the sun as this only burns them more! This  Nivea lip care is the best solution to protect your lips whilst looking sunkissed on the beach!

Maxfactor Eye Brightening Mascara £4.99

I like to pop a little mascara on before going out in the evenings, as I still get that ‘make up’ feel without the thick foundation on a hot evening!

Happy Holidays!

LondonBeautyGirl XO

Must have manicure!

This amazing new manicure has come to town!

The Ciaté Caviar Manicure available in Rainbow, Black Pearl and Mother of Pearl for £18! A little pricey however these are serious statement nails!

It works by painting your nails with the varnish provided and then sprinkling the caviar pearls onto your nails then gently pressing them down. Although you need to wait 15-20 minutes for them to dry I can promise you the results are amazing!

My personal fav is the black pearl but I'd love to try them all at some point!

LondonBeautyGirl XO

Here we go...

 

So after trawling the Internet to find some sort of 'Holiday Beauty Top 10' before my trip away this year and being rather unsuccessful in finding something, I decided to set up my own blog.

As a lover of all things fashion and beauty I thought it wise to share my beauty experiences and top tips with everyone else! 

Enjoy!

LondonBeautyGirl XO