Make Me Up Before You Go Go.

Recently I did a short interview for Board of Beauty where one of the questions asked was "What's in your make-up bag today?" It really got me thinking as I have two make-up bags - one which is filled with my favourite and regularly used items, and a smaller hand-bag sized one which has what is currently being used on that day.

The contents of my smaller one rotates quite frequently. Sometimes this is due to seasonal trends, sometimes how my skin is behaving and sometimes just because I'm really loving a particular item.

Currently, the list goes as follows:

- No 7 Beautiful Skin BB Cream in fair for dry / very dry skin

- Benefit High Beam

- Bourjois Cream Blush in Rose Tender

- MAC Wonder Woman Eye Palette in Defiance

- Bourjois Java Rice Powder

- Sleek Brow Kit in Dark

- ELF Stipple Brush, Eye Contour Brush and Fan Brush

- Revlon Lash Curler

- Barry M Blink Liquid Liner Pen

- Eyeko Skinny Mini Liquid Eyeliner Pen

- Maybelline Colour Sensational Lipstick in 540 / Hollywood Red

- Bourjois Effect 3D Lipgloss in 06 / Rouge

- Bourjois Color Boost Lip Crayon in Plum Russian

- Maybelline Big Eyes Volume Express Mascara

- No7 Beautiful Brows Pencil in Black / Brown

- Ilamasqua Eye Colouring Pencil in Elate (white)

This is my make-up for a more "off-duty" look, with a few products thrown in to amp up the drama if needed. BB Cream really changed my outlook on make-up as it's great for when I want to even out my skin tone but don't feel like wearing a heavy foundation with full coverage. I found that using this for a daytime look and keeping my Mac Studio Sculpt Foundation purely for evenings and events has sped up my morning routine AND improved my skin! Benefit's High Beam and Bourjois Cream Blush add definition and highlights.

I'm a huge fan of lip crayons and am really loving Bourjois Color Boost Lip Crayon in Plum Russian at the moment. It's sheer and glossy without being sticky and offers a strong colour without being overpowering. My favourite item in the bag though is without a doubt my Ilamasqua Eye Colouring Pencil in Elate. I use it on my waterline to make me look more wide-eyed and awake, as well as under my brows as a highlighter. It also works great across my top lip to catch the light and draw in an even shape and I've even used across my cheekbones as a highlighter when in a bit of a cosmetics bind. It's such a versatile, multi-use product!

It's got me thinking, what are your favourite products in your make-up bag?

Until next time,

Diana xx

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

If Love Is A Red Dress.

This dress was picked up a few weeks ago by chance at a £1 Vintage sale courtesy of East End Vintage Clothing. I'm not kidding - it cost me one whole English Pound or two thirds of a cup of tea in most high street coffee shops.

I brought it on a total whim, feeling that it looked like the most hideous 80s piece of costume wear I'd ever seen when slung across the rail. I'd figured it could be the basis of a good Halloween project, or for DJing an 80s set somewhere. I never in a million years expected to slip it on and fall in love!

I don't even know where to start - the colour, beading and (removable) shoulder embellishment are all delightfully garish, and yet somehow their forces combine resulting in something which looks more theatrical or operatic. I actually feel like an 80s glamourpuss in the dress, which is insane considering it's not a show-stopper and is made entirely from polyester! I can't quite put my finger on what it is, but I LOVE it. Goodness knows where I'll ever wear it to, but it's another one to add to the crazy what-was-I-thinking side of my wardrobe!

Dress: Vintage.

Red Roses in hair: Pearls & Swine.

Art Deco Ring: Tatty Devine.

Tights: Simply Be.
Boots: Primark. 

I suspect that I'll remove the over the top shoulder decoration / brooch and team the dress with a black belt and black heels to bring it up to date. I think it still needs some big Joan Collins hair and a cocktail to finish the look, and I really cannot wait to rummage through their £1 rails again soon.

Until next time,

Diana xx

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Summertime Blues.

Recently I visited East End Vintage Clothing with a few friends to rummage through the rails of their £1 vintage sale. With it being a wet and grey Winter morning, we were viewing it more as an exercise in finding somewhere for good coffee and a catch-up, but the chance of a purse friendly vintage bargain was too much of a good offer to pass by.

I've been to what feels like a million of these sort of things, and usually see nothing but rails of denim shorts and leather jackets - neither one being something I'm inclined to wear. However I had gone along with the hope of picking up some oversized lumberjack shirts and knitwear for keeping warm in the studio, but was thrilled to come away with a few cute dresses too!

These three dresses cost me the grand total of £3. I also brought a vintage cardigan with a brown and cream print and a green lumberjack shirt which goes perfectly with my high-waisted skinny jeans when shooting in the cold. I gave the light blue dress to a print loving friend as it wasn't quite right on me, but fell utterly in love with the other two. The red dress in particular I had brought almost as a "costume piece", but upon trying it on, I was really shocked to see how much nicer it was when not just on the hanger. (There will be a blog post coming up on Friday with the red dress!)

The blue dress with it's frill-bib front and white lace collar captures the transition from 50s to 60s style perfectly. It's a little clingy at the moment,but nothing which some magical undergarments can't smooth out! I'm looking forward to Spring arriving so I can team it with a cute cardigan and some footless tights and ballet flats for a look which is both fun yet smart and still nods to my vintage sensibilities.

Dress: Vintage.

Red Roses in hair: Pearls & Swine.

Red Necklace: Thrifted.

Tortoise Ring: Tatty Devine.

Tights: Simply Be.

Boots: Primark.

I wore it last night to see Wicked with my sort-of-sister-in-law, and teamed with it with a simple grey cardigan from H&M and a vintage dark navy headscarf with white polka dots as it was pouring with rain.

I can't wait until they have their next £1 sale, as it was definitely worth getting up early for to make the pilgrimage to East London. I also can't wait to show you the red dress in my next post - it makes me feel like I should be an extra from the 80s TV show, Dallas!

Until next time,

Diana xx

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

Girl Across The Street: AX Paris Lace Cuff & Collar Dress from Simply Be.

If Rock and Roll's my boyfriend, Northern Soul is definitely my lover. As much as I love my 50s style fashion, show my a good 60s style swing dress and I will swoon every time!

When I saw the AX Paris Lace Cuff & Collar Dress from Simply Be, I knew that I just had to have it. I don't wear swing dresses very often, but the dainty lace cuffs and collar meant it was love at first sight. It seemed to touch at lots of my favourite styles all in one garment - certainly there was a huge 60s influence in the shape, but the colour way and detailing meant that it also leant in a slightly Victorian gothic direction too.

Dress: AX Paris Lace Cuff & Collar Dress from Simply Be.

White Roses in hair: Pearls & Swine.

Heart Necklace under collar: Tatty Devine.

Teardrop Ring: Tatty Devine.

Tights: Simply Be.

Boots: Primark.

Bag: Vintage.

I wore the dress out for a cinema date with my beau on Saturday night and felt like some sort of vintage doll in it. With it's gorgeous monochrome colour combination and swishy swing shape, I felt as if I should have been spinning some vinyl on a battery operated record player! I'm very tempted to wear this when I DJ at the next Whiskey Kittens, and will be bringing lots of Northern Soul records with me for sure if I do!

Until next time,

Diana xx

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

I saw Maybelline in a Coup de Ville.

It's been a while since I've wrote about any of the new cosmetics I've brought, but after being unable to resist Superdrug's "Buy One Get One Half Price" on Maybelline, I was so impressed I just had to blog!

I brought two things -  the Maybelline Colour Sensational Lipstick in Hollywood Red and the Maybelline Falsies Big Eyes Mascara in black.

Let's start with the lipstick - the shade is less red and more of a pink and is the perfect day-time colour for anyone who loves a touch of vintage glamour. Stuck in the middle of a nude and pink-red, the colour is dense and moisture packed leaving your lips feeling soft and hydrated.

Rather than using a pink or red lip liner, I chose to use a white liner to define my top lip and smudge inwards to act as a natural highlighter. The above photo doesn't do it justice at all, and it is a dream to apply. It's one of those rare lipsticks I felt I could apply straight from the tube rather than needing a brush which is always a bonus when on the go!

The second item was the Maybelline Falsies Big Eyes Mascara in black. I brought this on a total whim, and am so glad I did because for the first time, I am able to cover my lower lashes without looking like a panda!

The wand design is very clever. It's double ended with a thicker brush designed for your longer top lashes and a mini brush to reach those hard to get tiny ones on bottom. The mascara texture itself is lengthening, thickening and clump-free when combed through with care. I also found that a sprinkling of setting powder dusted on with a fan brush before the mascara application really made them telescopic! The mascara is perfect for when you want a high-impact look with very little effort as it makes your eyes do all the talking.

Normally when I fall into a sales trap, I instantly regret the impulse choices as soon as I get home. (Note to self: no more liquid liners!) This time though, I couldn't be any more thrilled with my choices and both things have safely found a new home in my everyday make-up bag.

Until next time,

Diana xx

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www.fashionlovesphotos.com

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