Are you a style planner?

One thing that has struck me as a trend in the weird and wonderful world of instagram is the regular pictures of bloggers 'planning' outfits and preparing every inch of their aesthetic in advance.

Up until recently, I only heavily invested time laying out and planning an outfit for large occasions and nights out, but now I have noticed I am increasingly planning outfits for daytime. I don't spend hours, it's usually more deciding what I will wear the night before-especially if I have an early lecture-and to insure I don't spend my whole life in jeans and a hoody. I suppose I'm noticing it more at University as I don't have a strict uniform to adhere to any more. Maybe it is the new found liberty of not wearing a restricting, not to mention unflattering, school shirt and overly sensible shoes. Anyway, enough of school-tie-loaded nostalgia and onto the point of this post; my question to you. I'm curious to know do your plan your everyday outfits or let spontaneity guide you through?

 And in the meantime I look forward to seeing what you plan on instagram!


NG <3

The Beauty Tin

I thought it was about time to do a post about my everyday beauty regime. The truth is, although I do love dazzle dusts and lipsticks in vivid hues, sometimes I crave a low-key, subtle look more suitable for daytime. Whilst I'm at University I don't have that much storage for makeup and so I tend to use a tin to hold all my daytime essentials so they're easy to grab-which is very helpful when getting ready for an early morning lecture! The rest of my make-up is stored in a basket for when I'm going out at time or want to experiment with more daring looks. Here's what's in my beauty tin...

Face products;

If I could only have two make-up products it would be mascara and foundation so it's essential that I have an easy routine when it comes to my foundation in the morning. I usually apply a primer like Revlon Photoready Perfecting Primer after applying moisturiser. Then I follow it up with my beloved Clinique Stay Matte Foundation in 'Alabaster'. I tend to use my fingers when applying foundation in the morning as, for me, it's quicker than using a brush and perks up my skin. Then I use Rimmel Wake Me Up Concealer in 'Ivory' under my eyes and on any blemishes. I have oily skin so I dust a powder like Rimmel Stay Matte Powder over my face before finishing off with a flush of colour on my cheeks. The two I alternate between are Clinique Blush in 'Precious Posy' for a sophisticated glow or 17 Blush in 'China Pink' for a rosy flush of colour.

Eye products;

They say the eyes are the window to your soul but after a late student night or the toxic snooze button it can be a little tricky to look more bright than frightful. Here's how I try to look half decent in the mornings:

First I start off with a light shade from my Clinqiue Colour Surge Eye Shadow Quad palette and follow it up by applying one of the darker shades on my crease or the outside corners of my eyes. Alternatively, I like the metallic, creamy finish of the Rimmel Scandaleyes Eye Shadow Stick in the delightful bronze shade ' 'Bulletproof Beige' (a very fierce shade title I think you'll agree). I use a pen liner just above the eyelashes on my upper lid to define my eyes more, my usual go to is Maybelline Master Drama Liquid Liner Pen. I then curl my eyelashes for about 20 seconds each eye before applying a few coats of mascara. I idolise mascara and probably use a little too much for daytime but I rarely leave my halls without it adorning my lashes. My top picks for daytime are currently Clinique High Impact Curling Mascara and Benefit Bad Gal Mascara, both of which are great for building length. I'm not a huge fan of an overdone eyebrow but I do think it's important not to forget about your eyebrows and regularly groom them. In the mornings if I have time I apply a little Benefit Brow Zings Wax evenly before combing and tidying with an eyebrow brush.


Lip products;

I have to admit that my lip makeup is usually very simple day-to-day. I tend not to use lipliner but in my tin I do have a few favourite lip colours that I alternate depending on my mood. One of my go-to lipsticks is Maybelline Super Stay 14hr Lipstick in 'Ultimate Blush', a rosy colour with a metallic finish-it lasts so long! I also love the creamy, golden-pink hue and glossy finish of Clinique Butter Shine Lipstick in 'Pink-a-Boo'. Occasionally I do like to go for a full-on glossy finish and when I wish to do this I use Bourjois Effet 3D  Gloss in 'Corail Idyllic' which is a gorgeous peach shade featuring a shimmer that makes lips look fuller.
When I want to change it up, I use Benefit Cha Cha Tint for a matte, coral colour that stays on lips all day. This product is so ideal to have in my make-up tin especially with summer coming up, given it's shade and also as it doubles up as a cheek tint too. And if all else fails I go for the lip balm!

What are your go-to products for an easy, low-key look?

NG <3

NG turns 1

About a year ago I sat at my laptop and created this very blog you are reading now. The past year has been a magical, eventful year for me and I'm so glad I have been able to share snippets of my life with you along the way. My blog has been more than a hobby, in fact it has been a passion of mine for a year that I have loved developing, alongside my writing style. If anything I want to use this birthday post to say a massive thank you to each and every one of my readers. The blog was never about how many followers or comments I have, but seeing such wonderful feedback really does brighten up my day. So here's to a wonderful, fun and amazing year and to many more!

NG <3

The Films That Define Us #2

Happy Easter! I hope you all had a wonderful weekend. Easter Monday is a time when me and my family relax whilst watching a film. If you're still undecided about what to watch this fine Monday Zoë and Anouk of 'The Daily Fashion Drug' have been kind enough to share some of their favourite films. I asked Zoe and Anouk to contribute, as seeing their great style on their fabulous blog, I just knew they'd have impeccable taste when it came to films too, and they certainly do!

What's your favourite summer film?

Anouk: "My favourite summer film is (500) Days of Summer because the first time I saw it was on a perfect summer day- God, I really miss summer! Every time I watch the movie, I think about that perfect summer day. And of course, the title is about summer! This movie is all about love, relationships and rejection".

Zoë: "Phew, that’s a tough one! I think it’s The Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants. I saw this movie in the middle of a hot summer (yes, sometimes we have hot summers here in the Netherlands) with my best friend. We always wanted to go to Greece and meet a hot guy there just like in the movie!".

What's your most stylish film?

A: "It’s not a film, but a television series. I really enjoyed the series Gossip Girl. Not only because of the beautiful guys (Chuck Bass), but also because of their amazing outfits. I really loved Serena's outfits! It was always inspiring and that was one of the reasons why I loved it so much".

Z: "I agree with Anouk! Gossip Girl really went along with the latest trends at the time of filming. I think that all the characters in GG were always fabulously dressed and styled from head to toe.

But, I think that no television series or movie can compare to Breakfast at Tiffany’s. This film is so fun, classy and stylish! I love how Audrey Hepburn wore pants in that movie. Back in those days it was a little unusual to wear ankle trousers. And of course she is a natural beauty, so everything what she wore became stylish".

What's your favourite musical?

A: "I really can’t pick a favourite! I’ve seen a lot of musicals, because I really love them. These are my top three;

1.    Tarzan

2.    The Lion King

3.    Legally Blonde

I’ve seen the movie versions of these musicals, but I liked the musical versions more. Tarzan and The Lion King had an amazing atmosphere and Legally Blonde was more of a fun musical".

Z: "Definitely The Lion King! The costumes in this musical were amazing! And I also loved Wicked, but The Lion King is my number one favourite".

What's the scariest horror you've seen?

A: "I couldn’t sleep for two days thanks to the movie The Unborn. The movie wasn’t that scary, but a few ‘scary’ scenes of that movie were real-that’s why I was so scared! The movie The Blair Witch Project is also high on my horror list. It’s so scary because it’s filmed like a documentary".

Z: "Well, after I saw a horror film marathon that included The Exorcist, White Noise and The Hills Have Eyes, I became a big coward when it comes to horror movies… Since then I’ve never enjoyed a horror movie again".

What was your favourite childhood film?

A: "I have two big favourites; Pocahontas and the Beauty and the Beast, and I must confess, I still watch these movies. I know every line and song".

Z: "The Little Mermaid and also Beauty and the Beast. I always wanted a library like they have in the Beauty and the Beast! Actually, I still would love to have it in my future home…. ;-)".

A huge thank you for Zoë and Anouk's contribution-be sure to check out their great blog here!

NG <3