MOTD- TGIF

And no, that isn't match of the day ;)





Foundation- Rimmel Wake Me Up
Blusher- NARS Gina
Eyeshadow- MAC Coppering and Amber Lights
Lipstick- YSL Rouge Volupte in Peach Passion

Have a good weekend ♥

Dani Alexandra
Xoxo

Thursday Procedure

So it's Thursday, and for me that means it's preparation time for the weekend. Pore strip, face mask, exfoliation, hair wash and tan. Done.















It's weekend party time! Hope you have fun whatever you're doing.

Dani Alexandra
Xoxo

Liebster Award

I've been nominated for a Liebster Award by my very good friend Lauren. So i just wanna say thank you so so much! If you haven't already checked her blog out, do it now! She is amazing at spotting great trends, as well as being handy with a camera. Anyway, here are my answers...!

1. What inspires you and your blog?
Really to just do something with my life that I enjoy. I did a journalism degree but really didn't fancy coming out of uni and writing about mundane things that didn't interest me. I've been working at Waitrose for the past 5 years and decided at the beginning of the year that starting a blog would mean I could theoretically put my degree to the test, while writing about what I enjoy and what I want, and not wasting my time seeking out another full time job that I'm not really going to enjoy.

2. What is your life dream? Will blogging help achieve this?
I'm still pretty confused about what my ultimate life dream is, but I know my passions are makeup and to have a family. I know that I can write about and experiment with makeup on my blog, and if I hopefully become successful one day this can be my job which I would love. I also think that when (if) I do have a family one day, if I'm a pro blogger I would have more time for my family, rather than having to be stuck in an office all day.

3. If you had to describe yourself in one word, what would it be and why?
Optimistic. I think I very rarely look at the bad in life and people, which can be a bit annoying and unrealistic at times. But I don't see the point living life looking at the negative. Might as well live for the here and now, and make yourself happy with what's going on, rather than obsessing over the negativity that life could one day bring. Just be happy!

4. You're off to a dessert island, what three essentials do you take with you?
Sun tan lotion, as I would wanna be a bronzed babe and not a red lobster. A 2-in-1 shampoo conditioner, cause I'm limited on what I can bring and the sea and sun would eventually dry my hair out. A bikini, because who wants to swim and sunbathe in their clothes?!

5. What's the most valuable thing in your life and why?
So cliche, but my friends and family. Without a support system around, and people who love and care about you, who you also love and care about, then what's the point. Everything you'd do would be so boring and lonely.

6. Where do you see yourself in five years?
I don't even know where I see myself next week let alone 5 years! But I'd like to think I'd be in full time employment doing a job I love, on a decent salary and hopefully moved out!

7. Who is your ideal celebrity companion and why?
I think I'm gonna go Vanessa Hudgens. Have you seen her Instagram? She is so so hot these days, has the best style and looks like she is loving life. If I could feature in her life, I'd be pretty happy.

8. Who is your biggest style icon?
I actually couldn't say because I change my mind about what styles I like on a weekly basis. If I absolutely had to choose though, I'm gonna go with Kate Moss. I like how she makes casual look expensive, and I really feel the "I just threw this on but I look amazing" look.

9. What is your most memorable moment in your life so far?
Surfing in Morocco. I will never forget the first time I managed to stand on my board and ride a wave from left to right for more than a couple of seconds. It's an experience that will top all. I actually have another, and that's watching the sunrise in Israel at the top of Mount Masada. Just amazing.

10. What's at the top of your bucket list?
I think it would have to be surfing in more places. I had my first taste of it in Morocco the summer just gone, and I want more!!! To eventually be able to surf tunnel waves in California would be amazing. Virtually impossible, but amazing.

11. If you had to wear one item of your clothing for the rest of your life, what would it be and why?
Obviously it would have to be a dress or playsuit of some sort, otherwise you'd be missing a top or bottom half. I'm gonna go with my new Red Strappy Bodycon Midi Dress from Boohoo, because I think red is a colour that's in season all year round, and the dress can be warmed up for winter, or stripped down for summer.

And I nominate...
AliceOlivia
Vintage and Vans
Yours Truly, Jessica
Overdose De Maquillage
twodifferentworlds
Lacey's Beauty Reviews
Kay & a cup of tea


And here are my questions!
1. How did you feel when you clicked the 'publish' button on your first post?
2. What made you decide to start blogging?
3. Would you ever want to start vlogging, and why?
4. What is your all time favorite beauty product?
5. What is your statement fashion piece?
6. If you could only wear one colour for the rest of your life, what would it be?
7. What is the craziest thing you've ever done in your life?
8. If you could immediately change it back if you didn't like it, what hairstyle would you try?
9. Describe yourself in 3 words?
10. When you were younger, what was your dream job? Is it at all the same now?
11. What do you HAVE to do before you die?


You need to

- Create a blog post
- Link back to the person who nominated you
- Answer 11 questions
- Don't forget to let those you nominate know!

Dani Alexandra
Xoxo

Makeup Haul!

So, after all the Christmas debt I couldn't really buy myself much in January. But now it is February. The end of February to be precise, and I got paid today! So naturally, I headed straight towards Brent Cross (shopping center in North London), whipped out the notes on my iPhone to see what was on my very long list of "to-buy" cosmetics and considered how much I could spend. I can live off of £50 a week this month can't I? Anyway, enough jibber jabber. this is what I got....!







MAC Pro Palette, 15 Eyeshadow Insert, Amber Lights and Coppering


I'm so happy that I've finally started my own MAC Pro Palette collection! I thought these two colours were so beautiful and perfect for the spring. I saw a Jaclyn Hill makeup tutorial using them and thought they'd just be the perfect shades to start my collection with.

MAC Eye Pencil in Coffee

I always wear black eyeliner and thought this coffee colour would make a nice change, especially for the spring! When I swotched it on my hand it seemed to glide quite nicely, so stay tuned!

NARS Blusher in Gina

I've wanted this blusher for agessss. I think it's the perfect subtle coral and I'm so excited to try it! I think it will give the perfect rosey glow for, once again, spring! (Can you see a theme occurring in this haul?)

NARS Lipstick in Schiap

I saw a photo on someone else's blog (I'm sorry I can't remember who) of a girl with bright neon pink lipstick and black eye makeup and I just fell in love with the look, hence why this lipstick was purchased. Now to find an occasion where I can be brave enough to rock it...

Yves Saint Laurent Rouge Volupte Lipstick in 13 Peach Passion

Obviously like most, YSL has drawn me to buy one of their lipsticks because there is just no other packaging like it. I wanted a lipstick I could wear daily and this colour is just gorgeous. It's a really soft orangey pick (peach I guess you'd obviously say) and is just perfect for day time, although could definitely be worn in the evening as well. It's really really creamy and I think it's gonna actually be really moisturising to the lips!

Yves Saint Laurent Touche Eclat Radiant Touch in 1 with Baby Doll Mascara and Eye Creme Samples


I actually was just going to get the full size of the Baby Doll Mascara after a friend recommended it to me, but for the same price in John Lewis you could get a full size Touche Eclat (which I know I like) with free samples of both the mascara and an eye cream from their new Forever Youth Liberator range. I am thrilled! Now I can see if I like the mascara and get the full size if I want it, as well as getting 2 other products!

Topshop Gel Liner Ink

I haven't used a gel liner before and seeing as I got a brush to use with one in my Sigma Essentials Brush Kit, I though why the hell not! I went for this Topshop one because it had decent reviews and is quite cheap for me to experiment with.

Rimmel Hide the Blemish in Soft Honey, Wake Me Up Foundation in Soft Beige and Stay Matte Powder in Transparent

Boots were doing 3-for-2 on Rimmel products and seeing as I use my YSL foundation DAILY, I wanted a drugstore foundation so my expensive one could be saved for special occasions. I went for the Wake Me Up because I have heard nothing but great things about it. I have also heard the Hide The Blemish Concealer is pretty decent so thought why not! And finally, I'm in the market for a new pressed setting powder and seeing as this would be free, I thought I'd give it a go. I'll let you know my thoughts...

Dani Alexandra
Xoxo

What's In My Makeup Bag?

So this is my current makeup bag...



Don't ask, I don't know....I wish this was my makeup bag, and someday soon, it will be...


Ted Baker MAISA Large Bow Wash Bag

Anyway, and this is what is currently in it!



A Pair of Tweezers
A Pencil Sharpener
NARS Laguna Bronzer
Vichy Dermablend Foundation in 35 Sand
Clarins Gloss Prodige in Candy 04
2 Eyelure Lash Glues (Even though I'm not wearing any lashes today)
Garnier Roll-On Anti-Dark Circles (I believe it's the darker shade)
EcoTools Powder Brush
Benefit Porefessional
Rimmel Eyebrow Pencil in Black Brown
Benefit Bad Gal Pencil Eyeliner
Rimmel Exaggerate Liquid Eyeliner in Glossy Black
Bourjois Blusher in Golden Rose
Bobbi Brown Sheer Finish Loose Powder in Soft Sand
NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer in Medium 1 Custard

Dani Alexandra
Xoxo

Statement Red Lips with Subtle Nude Eyeshadow

I need to get an HD camera and stop using my phone. Anyway...

I really love a bright reddish statement lip and I think paired with a subtle nude eye is such a gorgeous look for this time of year, just before the lovely soft golds and pale pinks of the spring trends hit us.





If you wanna know how I achieved this look, then keep reading, and trust me, it's super easy!


I started with a clean, cleansed and moisturised face (yeah I know, real pretty) and just primed my eyelids with Urban Decay's Eyeshadow Primer Potion.




I then went in with the shade Buck from the Urban Decay Naked Palette and used a Sigma E25 Brush to work that colour into my crease, focusing it in the outer corner of my eye and working it very slightly towards the inner corner.



I then took the shade Naked and dabbed that all over my lid with a Sigma E55 Brush, focusing it on the inner corner so that that's the most pigmented, and just working it out. I then slightly went over with the Buck again, just to ensure that the colour was really defined and beautiful.


Next was time for my face products. I primed my nose, especially the creases on the sides, with Benefit's Porefessional, then applied 2 layers of the YSL Le Teint Touche Eclat Foundation in B40 (read a little review of it here). I coated my beautiful (not) bags with NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer in Custard, as well as applying this to the creases around my nose and any blemishes. To make sure that none of this budges, I generously coated my face with Bobbi Brown's Sheer Finish Loose Powder in Soft Sand. As you can see I now have zero eyebrows and zero shape or colour to my face...



That's better. I just contoured my cheekbones with NARS Laguna Bronzer using a NARS Ita Kabuki Brush then also applied the bronzer all over my forehead. Next I blended some Bourjois Blusher in Healthy Mix into the apples of my cheeks and up, then finally to give my face more definition, filled my eyebrows with a Rimmel Eyebrow Pencil in Black Brown.




I then glued on some Eyelure 101 Lashes, and then tried to hide the line of the strip by applying a coat of Rimmel Exaggerate Liquid Eye Liner in Glossy Black along my lash line. I finished off my eyes by drawing some Benefit Bad Gal Pencil Eyeliner onto the outer corners of my waterline (top and bottom). Note that I would for sure be putting mascara onto my top lashes to blend into the false ones, and bottom ones, but I'm at my boyfriends in Manchester and like a fool forgot my mascara. Note to self; have an emergency stash of makeup here...


After priming my lips with MAC's Prep and Prime Lip Primer, I lined them with MAC's Ablaze Lip Liner (Trust me, especially when working with bright colours, lip liner is so important! It really does make your lips look so much fuller as well as helping minimize any fall out), then finally applied MAC's So Chaud Lipstick all over my lips. Wow, MAC overload on the lips.

And that's it! I really hope you enjoy this look as much as I do! It really is great for a number of occasions, from a lunchtime catch-up with the girls, to a family dinner, to a wild night out!



Dani Alexandra
Xoxo