MakeUp Revolution - Budget Beauty With Long Lasting Results.

A little while ago I was pointed in the direction of the new budget beauty brand, MakeUp Revolution. The brand offers a purse friendly range of cosmetics which mimic the bold colour palettes of the likes of Illamasqua, but with prices cheaper than a coffee shop latte.

With prices from just £1, it seemed a little too good to be true. However the incredible range of shades (including their limited edition Vamp Collection lipsticks) had me intrigued so I decided to place a small order to see how well they worked.

MakeUp Revolution Powder Blush in Wow. £1.

The first item I tried was the Powder Blush in Wow. At just £1 I wasn't expecting much from it so was pleasantly surprised with the pigment heavy rosy pink shade - perfect for my pale skin! The packaging looks like exactly what you'd expect from a £1 blush. It comes supplied in a no-frills plastic case, but one which does the job at holding the product in place. Despite being dropped, it managed to keep the blusher cake in one piece. As for the blusher itself, it's part way between a satin and matte finish. It feels very lightweight on the skin, and the pigment heavy powder can be built up into a strong wash of colour and blended out with ease. It needs to be set over powder for longer staying powder, and found that even on the hottest of days, it lasted a good five hours - not bad for £1!

MakeUp Revolution Vamp Collection Lipstick in 100% Vamp. £1.

The other product I couldn't resist was their 100% Vamp lipstick from their limited edition Vamp Collection. The colour was a stunning dark berry-black which when applied to the lips left a gorgeous semi-matte finish. They work far better than their £1 price tag would have you believe, but it is best to apply over lip liner and then blot with powder for a much longer staying power. 100% Vamp is packed with lots of pigment and can be built up from a sheer wash to a dense bold statement lip. Like the blush, the price is reflected in the packaging but who cares when you have such a great product for such a small price. That said, if you're planning on carrying the lipstick in your bag, I'd put some masking tape over the lid to stop it from falling off.

I really was left completely surprised by the quality of the products, and already have my eyes on their palettes for a cheeky second order. If you want to have a look at their huge range of shades, you can visit their website here.

Until next time,

Diana xx

Follow me on Tumblr, Blogloving, Instagram, Facebook and Twitter!

www.fashionlovesphotos.com

(All photos (c) Diana Thompson / Fashion Loves Photos unless otherwise stated. Please do not reproduce without written permission.)

Baby, It's Cold Outside.

There's no denying that we are quickly falling into the first flush of Winter. The Autumn leaves are crumbling to dust underfoot, Christmas prints are a perfectly acceptable form of day wear and your skin feels like it's gone five rounds with a cheese grater thanks to a mixture of radiators, air conditioning, bracing winds and overheated inside spaces.

Whilst none of us are going to complain about switching from cocktails to hot chocolate and high heels to ankle boots, our skin can be a huge problem as we step into the colder months. As someone who has spent most of their lives battling with belligerent and often quite irritated winter flare-ups, I thought I'd share what I've found to be the holy grail of Winter wonders.

My skin type is naturally very dry. A mixture of English and Irish genes have led to milk bottle paleness which flushes bright red at any temperature either side of hot or cold. As such, I've hunted for a range of products which where possible are paraben and perfume free so as to avoid further irritation.

1. Botanics Ultra Calm Skin Relief Serum (£3.99).

Botanics Ultra Calm Skin Relief Serum (£3.99).

Regardless if my skin feels tight from sleeping next to a radiator or it's just been scrubbed within an inch of it's life to remove make-up after DJing, this serum, without fail, manages to calm it down and ensure it feels hydrated. It is made in part by marshmallow which has a calming effect on sensitive skin, and also includes liquorice and Linden Flower to help reduce redness.

2. Botanics Ultra Calm Skin Calming Night Cream (£4.49).

Botanics Ultra Calm Skin Calming Night Cream (£4.49).

I discover this wonderful pot of gooey goodness quite by accident. I had been using it's day cream equivalent for quite some time and having run out, was struggling to find it in any stores. Out of desperation I brought the night cream hoping it would tide me over, but feared that regular daytime use would lead to my skin being oily. I couldn't have been more wrong - being slightly thicker than the day cream, it's acted as a natural defence against the elements whilst keeping my skin happy and hydrated, even under foundation. Like the serum, the night cream is armed with marshmallow and Linden Flower ensuring that my face is calm and flake-free.

3. No7 Beautiful Skin Hot Cloth Cleanser (£9.95).

No7 Beautiful Skin Hot Cloth Cleanser (£9.95).

On days when I've been shooting outside in the wind and rain, or when my face just needs a little bit of a pick-me-up, I bring out the No7 Hot Cloth Cleanser. It does exactly what you'd expect it to do from it's name (and even comes with it's own cloth) but I also found it to be an excellent, rich face wash for when you need an extra burst of moisture but are short on time. Although this isn't part of the No 7 dry skin specific range, I've found that even my dire, problem skin is left looking healthy after using.

4. Smith's Rosebud Salve (£8).

Smith's Rosebud Salve (£8).

Rosebud Salve is one of those products which I see in almost every make-up artist's kit. I've seen it used on lashes to make them look thicker, on lips for gloss, even eyebrows to keep stray hairs in place. However it's also a tiny tinned whiz for cracked hands, chapped lips, small burns and relieving itchy skin. I've even been known to use it on my entire face overnight when my skin has been in extreme dire straits. I'm not going to lie - it feels like covering yourself in a nice smelling, non petrol based version of Vaseline, but the results are worth it. I always keep one in my handbag, and although it can be quite difficult to find in the UK, you can normally source them online through Amazon if the link above is out of stock.

5. Badger Balm (£6.99).

Badger Balm (£6.99).

Badger Balm is the tough talking big sister to Rosebud Salve, with it's ultra-rich, ultra-moisturising balm tackling all the big problem areas which Rosebud couldn't quite get. Although it is a heavy feeling balm rather than a lighter absorbent salve, this is the go-to product to put on your feet, hands and any other skin complaint just before you go to bed. Whether it's a cracked heel or an eczema flare up, Badger Balm never ceases to amaze me. It can also be used as a muscle rub, has antiseptic properties if you've cut yourself and is also made from USDA certified organic ingredients and contains no chemicals or petrolatum. Plus it smells like Christmas, with a strange pine and menthol scene. Although you can buy this from the link above, I've often found it cheaper in nicer independent pharmacies.

6. Palmer's Cocoa Butter Lotion (Travel Size - 50ml - £1.50).

Palmer's Cocoa Butter Lotion (Travel Size - 50ml - £1.50).

Palmer's travel sized bottles of Cocoa Butter are another key item which stay in my handbag over Winter. It's light enough that I can use it on my face as a regular moisturiser (especially on my nose during flu season) and it's great for putting on your hands if you need something to sink in at lightening speed. Enriched with Vitamin E, the smell will also have you wafting back towards tropical sunshine during the most coldest of days with a scent evoking memories of sunshine and chocolate.

This post was 100% influenced by Daisy from Spaced; "It's not as easy as that Tim! I can't just pluck another Winter skincare dos and don'ts out of the air!"

Until next time,
Diana xx

Follow me on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter!

www.fashionlovesphotos.com

(All product photos (c) Diana Thompson / Fashion Loves Photos. Please do not reproduce without written permission.)

The Hardest Button To Button

Birthday treats from Sugar & Vice and Tatty Devine.

It's been a busy few weeks in photography world, which has also included bouts of DJing, my birthday and a few other fun events. And fun events mean wearing my favourite outfits!

Matt & Nat Dwell Handbag from the ASOS Sale.

Now that the summer has gone on holiday, my amazing vintage green Autumn cape in full swing (literally!), I've been in need of finding a large faux-vintage handbag to match it as the cape needs a bag carried by hand, but I also needed something which could contain my tablet, camera and the other assortment of girl / photographer things to get me through the day. My bag shaped pleas were answered in the form of the Matt & Nat Dwell Handbag which to me carries like an oversized Kelly bag - my favourite type of vintage bag shape. Although it has a front flap rather than a clip, it still works in tandem with my cape and I feel like instantly put together, even on my dressed down days.

Chelsea Boots from Primark.

Ankle boots have been the bane of my existence these last few months, with the search for my perfect boot starting back in the Summer. I don't have particularly wide feet, but everything, even lace-up boots felt incredibly narrow so was over the moon to stumble across this bargain beauties. I love that they smarten up my grungy outfits and grunge up my tea dresses so I feel I can wear and accessorise them with almost anything.

Weather-proofing hair with a silk scarf and pin-curls.

One of the other key things about Autumn when you spent much of your time shooting outside on location is how to weather proof yourself. Silk scarves and pin-curls have been a life saver to ensure I can run from shoot to event with my hair brushed out into shiny waves rather than rained on frizz. Thank you vintage styling!

Max Factor's Whipped Creme Foundation and Lush's Emotional Brilliance Liquid Lipstick.

As much as I love the seasonal transition into Autumn, my skin sadly doesn't agree. All it takes is a few days of biting wind for my face to fall to pieces, but I have finally found a drugstore foundation which moisturises, evens out and makes my skin look and feel fabulous.

The foundation is Max Factor's Whipped Creme, and I've used their palest shade in Light Ivory / 40 with an angled foundation brush. One of the other things which really stuck out was that the foundation didn't leave me with a yellow cast. Most pale drugstore foundations are still too dark on my pink based complexion, and this for me was spot on. It covered any redness, evened out my skin, covered any spots and left me feeling like I wasn't wearing anything other than my usual moisturiser.

Another new purchase was my new red liquid lipstick from Lush's Emotional Brilliance make-up range. I chose Decisive which is a strong cherry red colour with a blue base - perfect for pale skin and vintage lovers. It needs a lip liner underneath or else you'll look like The Joker after one cup of tea, but a liner locks it onto lips like a magnetic force.

Flower crown by Frankii Wilde, swallow necklace by Tatty Devine.

Dress by Lady V Vintage, cardigan, belt and leggings by Yours Clothing.

The first of my favourite outfits this month is what I wore to DJ at the last Whiskey Kittens. The photos are pretty terrible and don't do either the dress of flowers justice, but I received so many compliments on both for the whole night, and even the journey to the venue!

Bubble Blower Necklace from Sugar & Vice.

Cardigan and vest from New Look, skirt from ASOS and leggings from leggings by Yours Clothing. I literally wear those boots with EVERYTHING at the moment!

I also feel like I've been really spoilt this month with some wonderful birthday gifts (and self-given-almost-birthday-gifts!)

Cat watch from the ASOS Sale.

I very rarely get called Diana these days unless it's a client, or I'm in trouble! Most of my friends call me Kitty and have done for years, so this birthday gift to me from me seemed perfect. Puuurfect even. I'd been wanting to find a cute watch for a while, and fits in perfectly with the rest of my jewellery.

Rocket Ship Necklace from Kate Rowland.

This rocket ship necklace from Kate Rowland goes with so many things in my wardrobe. It's kitsch enough that it brings a simple tea dress to life, and gives a lift (off) to a more simple outfit.

Tortoise Necklace from Tatty Devine.

Hi I'm Diana, and I'm a Tatty Devine addict! This was something I picked up on my last trip to Brighton, but it's really been this last month of Autumn colours that he's permanently lived on my finger. Sadly he's no longer in stock as he was part of Tatty Devine's seasonal collection, but this particular one is called Horrace after my childhood Carolina Box Tortoise and I always feel happy when I wear him.

La Luna Necklace from Tatty Devine.

The second I saw the larger version of this necklace on Mary Portas, I knew I had to have it. I've always had a love of the stars and night sky, and convinced myself that since Diana was the name of the "moon goddess", it was meant to be. I'm sticking to that. Yep.

Custom made necklaces from Bette Noire.

I am a sucker for handmade creations, and love this custom cuties from Bette Noire. One is a lovely heart shape with kitty ears and "Kitty" emblazoned on the scroll, whilst the glittering double hearts have the name of my club night, Whiskey Kittens.

Birthday treats from Sugar & Vice and Tatty Devine.

With my friends knowing my love of cute perspex and personalised cuteness, my darling friend Luna had this Kitty necklace made for me via Sugar and Vice. Howard also picked up on my "subtle" hints (hah!) and brought me the adorable Dog on Wheels necklace from Tatty Devine.

Aphrodite's Child Carnival Ruff from Lovechild Boudoir.

Another stunning birthday present from Howard was this incredible Ruff from Lovechild Boudoir. I had fallen in love with it when we were kindly lent some of her products for a photoshoot with Rush Hair. Although this particular piece wasn't used, it was the one which I adored the most and was so excited when I opened it up. I spent much of birthday wearing it with my pyjamas and pin curls until finally putting on real clothes and being whisked away for a birthday hot chocolate.

Birthday hot chocolate.

I've felt thoroughly spoilt the last few days, and am struggling to get my brain back out from birthday mode to work mode. It's not helping that we are celebrating this coming weekend (the half way weekend between mine and Howard's birthdays) so it feels like three weeks of cake and cuteness. Am I complaining? Nope! I love birthdays, whether they're mine or my friends. I love this time of year for the never ending supply of cake!

Until next time,
Diana xx

Follow me on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter!
www.fashionlovesphotos.com