New Makeup Additions For Spring

This post contains gifted products and affiliate links, which are marked "AD". Read my full disclaimer here.

It's not like me to splurge on makeup, but lately I've been feeling as though my collection was looking a little bit old and tired. With spring in the air, I threw my usual caution to the wind and treated myself to a couple of really nice new products - let's just say that my makeup bag is looking decidedly more interesting now! The products in question (besides a couple of Mac lipsticks, which are more of a necessity than a luxury if you ask me!) are the Anastasia Beverly Hills Sultry Eyeshadow Palette (AD) and the Too Faced Natural Face Palette (AD). Both are fairly extravagant purchases, but the quality is so lovely and the shades so wearable that I have no doubt I will get my money's worth from each of them. 

In addition to my own little spending spree, I have also received a few new products from Lola Makeup recently. After they were kind enough to send me some of the items featured in my last makeup video, I was thrilled to receive another package containing their BB Cream (AD), Infinite Lash Mascara (AD) and Lip Pencil in Nude Obsession (AD).

To hear my thoughts on all these products as well as see them in action, you can watch my video on YouTube or right here.

Have you bought any new makeup for spring?

Kate x

Off The Shoulder Jumpers: The Knitwear You Need For Spring

This post contains affiliate links, which are marked "AD". Read my full disclaimer here.

Would you believe this soft white H&M number is the first off the shoulder jumper I've ever owned? I've been a fan of off the shoulder styles for ages, and have plenty of summer tops and dresses with this flattering feature. Off the shoulder knitwear, however, has always been something of a mystery to me. If it's cold enough for a jumper, then surely bare shoulders would be uncomfortable? (Please tell me I'm not the only one who thinks like this!)

Jumper, H&M (AD)

Having fallen in love with this particular jumper, however, I've been determined to make it work, and as it turns out, it's not as difficult as I thought. While knitwear that leaves your shoulders open to the elements might have you shivering in the depths of winter, it's perfectly comfortable during this milder, transitional phase, making it the ideal style to stock up on for early spring. Mine is a decent thickness and can be adjusted to reveal a lot of skin or only a hint, depending on your preference, but I also love the idea of the more lightweight versions, teamed with a denim mini skirt. 

Shop Off The Shoulder Jumpers

(AD - Affiliate Links) 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8

Showing a sliver of shoulder now feels like the first indication of warmer days to come, and I for one have been enjoying embracing that! Are you a fan of this knitwear style?

Kate x

Testing Lola Makeup And A Super Easy Smoky Eye

This post contains gifted products, which are marked "AD". You can read my full disclaimer here.

Recently, I was contacted by a brand called Lola Makeup, who asked if I would like to test out some of their products and share my findings with you. The answer to this question is usually yes, particularly when the brand in question is affordable, British designed and cruelty free, and prides itself on creating high quality products with real women in mind. I was sent an automatic eye pencil, mascara and liquid lipstick, so I incorporated them into an evening makeup look featuring a super easy smoky eye.

If you would like to see how I created the look, as well as hear my opinions on the Lola products, I filmed a tutorial and you can either watch it over on my YouTube channel or right here.

No time to watch right now? No worries! I've summarised my opinions on each of the three products below.

Automatic Eye Pencil (AD)

Soft, creamy and deepest black, this is the perfect pencil for adding smoky, smudgy definition to your lash line. I wouldn't recommend it for precise lines but it's perfect to create that smoked out eye look. Even I can use it without too much difficulty, so it must be foolproof! The pencil can be twisted upwards to reveal more of the nib, but due to its soft texture you do need to be a little bit careful with it to prevent any of it from snapping off.

Volume Mascara (AD)

A nice "all-rounder" type of mascara with a natural bristle wand as opposed to a plastic one. Affordable, and very good at coating each lash while also separating and defining them. While it is not the most impressive mascara I have ever tried in terms of delivering on length and volume, it is excellent at avoiding clumping and stuck together lashes.

Matte Liquid Lipstick (AD)

My favourite of the three products. I have the shade First Date, which is a beautiful mid-pink. The formula is creamy and gives a lovely matte finish without being in the least drying on the lips. It's highly pigmented, gives a perfectly even finish and will see you through dinner and drinks with barely the need for a touch up. Gorgeous!

Left, Automatic Eye Pencil; Right, Matte Liquid Lipstick

Have you ever tried anything from Lola Makeup? What's your go-to night out look?

Kate x