Top Headband Trends for 2012

Top Headband Trends for 2012 Headbands are certainly making their place in 2012. Whether it's through thrifting, trading, grabbing or ground shipping you should do whatever it takes to jump on the band-wagon and enjoy this trend.

Chunky Braid 

Extremely comfortable, this easy style is a simple way to wear a headband. These bands can double as ear warmers; a great way to stay fashionable in cold weather. They will also stay in place, no worries about bobby pins or this band falling off – a great choice if you're planning to be active!

Giant Flowers

There's no need to wait four months for spring to come. You can bring it straight into your day with a number of blossom bound bands. Your flowers don't actually have to be big, but with the current trends you can certainly get away with it.

Head Wrap 

A great shot at boho style, these head wraps are more versatile than they seem. When styling, think hippie or 1950's pin-up. Not many items can do both, but these little gems have a lot of character. Wear your hair down or use the wrap to pull it into a low bun. 

Multi-loop Headband 

This type of headband is extremely easy to wear. It will go well with pretty much any hairstyle. The multi-loop band can be a fun pretty way to keep hair out of your face or a very elegant accessory. These pieces are especially big in metallic, and will go well with a braided sandal come spring. 

Maire spends her spare time reading fashion magazines and doodling flowers in the margins. She is an avid blogger and sandwich eater who is always searching for the next trend. Maire likes to push the line between what are pants and what are just leggings.

It's Snow Joke!

 Denim shirt: Topshop  |  Skirt: Topshop  |  Necklace: Primark

Not really a fan of my face nor my hair in these photos, but I took them in a rush so I didn't really have many to choose from. I can't believe the masses of snow we had over the weekend! Whilst out for lunch with my friend on Saturday, we had to dash back home before we got stranded in the snow. It was like a blizzard outside. I honestly was beginning to think that we had escaped the white stuff this year - how wrong was I? I'm not really a fan of snow, it just makes everything difficult. Snow rant, rarrr!

Have you all had a nice weekend? What did you get up to in the snow?

Me and my Boyfriend took a stroll down to our local shopping centre (luckily our new house is in walking distance) and we picked up a few bits and bobs. Then spent the rest of the afternoon snoozing on the settee watching a bit of telly.

What has the snow been like where you live?



My Unwanted Beauty Box: February

Who remembers my blog post about my New Years Resolution? For those of you who haven't already read what I've been trying to achieve for my Beauty New Year Resolution, you can do so by visiting here.

Basically, in a nut shell, I come to terms with the fact that I have a substantial amount of beauty items; varying from all different makeup, skincare, haircare, you name it. I have my favourite products which I always repurchase and use up pretty quickly. However, this being the case, I'm always neglecting other less used products. I have bundles which end up being shoved to the back of the drawer untouched.

This in mind, last month I put together an 'Unwanted Beauty box'. I did this by sorting out all my less used (if at all) products and putting them all together in a little box vowing to use them for an entire month to try and use up the contents. Here's how I've been getting on a month down the line..


Here is what I put in the box on 1st January 2012;

Quite a decent amount of items as you can see. If you would like to see the full low down on which products I put in there and why, you can do so here.

And here is what I now have remaining in the box after a months worth of use;

Items used up:

MAC NC35 foundation, MAC Cremecup lipstick, all of my Loreal shampoos, Bodyshop Body butter, Urban Decay eye primer, Deodorant, Pixie face primer, MAC eye makeup remover, Spa Magik salt brushing, Colbert eye cream and Rimmel eyeliner.

As well as these items, I've also managed to use up lots of sample sized products I received from Glossybox. It's great to know that I've been using products up without wasting them and/or my money.

The products remaining in the box

The remaining products in the box I have managed to use up quite a lot of product but I still have a lot to get through.

As you can see, I've used up a lot in the remaining few.

I've decided to remake up another Unwanted Beauty Box for February to help me get through even more products.

February's Unwanted Beauty Box;

Whats in there? & the reasons they're there?

Coca Cola Cherry lip balm
Although it's yummy, it just makes me lips really red looking which I'm not a fan of. I'll be using this every night before bed.

Elf Tickled Pink
Yes, its making a reappearance in bid to hit pan!

Soap&Glory Face Clarity cleanser
I do really like this, but I have so many cleansers which I prefer so I want to use this up before using my favourites.

Bodyshop lipgloss
I'm sure this is half empty now. I will get through it, I will, I will!

Lady Million body lotion
This is lovely, but it wouldn't be something I repurchase.

Elf eyeshadow duo
Being the happy owner of the Naked Palette, all my other eye shadows become neglected.

First Aid beauty body lotion
I'm going to keep this in my handbag as my to go hand cream.

Oilatum face repair
So many Bloggers rave about this product, but for me it gets neglected as it is rather heavy for my skin and I prefer to use other moisturisers.


So there you have it! I'm challenging myself again. What is in your Unwanted beauty Box this month? Are you setting yourself this challenge?

MAC Shy Girl lipstick

MAC Lipstick - Shy Girl £13.50


It has to be said, that this is my all time favourite lipstick. And also my most repurchased MAC product! I find Shy Girl one of those lipsticks that not only looks great for day wear, but also for evening wear too.

If you aren't an avid MAC lipstick wearer like myself, you may be unaware that the lipsticks come in all different finishes - this being a Cremesheen finish. Leaving the lips locked with moisture without a sloppy finish. I prefer the Cremesheen finishes apposed to the others as they are highly pigmented without drying your lips either.

Shy Girl is what I describe as a peachy nude with warm undertones. I feel that this shade will suit every skin tone ranging from very pale to really dark complexions. I am a fan of nude lips, but not the 'concealer lip' - which is why I enjoy Shy Girl so much as it has a peachy warmth to it without looking at all washed out.

Here is how it looks applied - almost like it's been coated with gloss. I also use a tan lip liner from Topshop just to add a little more depth and fullness to the lips.

What is your all time favourite lipstick? Have any recommendations for me? Do you like Shy Girl? Do you know of any good Shy Girl dupes?

I would love to hear your thoughts..

GlossyBox January 2012 Valentines Edition

I was really pleasantly surprised to see that Glossybox have changed their packaging for the January 2012 Valentines Edition to a hot Barbie pink, opposed to their usual dusty baby pink and black packaging. I think the packaging screams girly - I love, love, love it! Accompanied by a little heart sticker to stay on track of the Valentines theme.

This months box contained:

- Clarins Extra-Firming day cream.
- Clarins Extra-Firming night cream.
- Murad Skin Perfecting Primer.
- Eyeko Skinny Eyeliner
- First Aid Beauty Body Moisturiser.

A really good line up of products if you ask me! I'm really excited about a few of them.

A face wash by the brand First Aid beauty was featured in a previous Glossybox, which I wasn't all that keen on as the smell put me off slightly. So, I am very dubious about trying the body lotion as you're stuck with the scent on your body.

I am really looking forward to trying out the Clarins day & night creams, as I have been looking for some new face creams to try out.

It's lovely to see that Eyeko have updated their packaging. I think it looks really trendy, eye catching and modern.

I know that every bodies Glossyboxes usually vary for different products. What did you get in your Glossybox this month?

My Makeup Collection/Storage

I always find it enjoyable perusing through other bloggers ways of storing their makeup/makeup collection posts. I find them inspiring and they can give you some great ideas of how to set your own up. Plus, I think we all do love a good nosey if we're being truthful. It must be a woman thing?

Quite a while ago, I uploaded a post about My Dressing Table set up and how I stored my beauty essentials. However, I haven't written an actual makeup collection post before. Due to me soon moving out, and into my first home with my boyfriend, I thought that I would put this little post together. As in the next month, my makeup storage will look completely different as I will be in a completely different location. I'm really excited!

As before, I'm still storing my makeup in the little chest of drawers below. You can pick yourself one of these up from WHSmiths - they have all different designs, so you can choose one to suit yourself.

The drawers consist of three small drawers, two medium and one large drawer at the bottom.


Here is how I store my makeup brushes;

I wanted them to be at hand, in an easy to reach place. I picked up these little vase/fishbowl type glass bowls from Hobbycraft as well as the small clear beads inside to aid the brushes to be kept in standing position.

Most of my makeup brushes consist of Sigma brushes, with the odd MAC and couple of Elf brushes. I also have just a few random ones which I've accumulated over the years from various makeup kits.


Next up, I have a little black box where I keep my rings, and an old Glossybox where I store my false eyelashes. The empty Glossyboxes come in really handy for storage.

Now that you have seen my actual storage methods, I've broken down the photos into what I keep in each drawer of my Cupcake chest. I do like to be as organised as I can, keeping similar items together in one drawer.

The 1st drawer; Various Highstreet Lipsticks

Lipsticks by Topshop, MUA, Barry M, Revlon, Elf, and Sleek.



The 2nd Drawer; High End Lipstick brands

MAC lipsticks in the shades - Myth, Creme D'nude, Viva Glam Gaga 2, Hue, Creme Cup x2, Shy Girl, Vegas Volt, Costa Chic, Impassioned, Cruella Deville Venomous Villains, Up the Amp, Ravishing, Snob.
YSL Lipstick in Peach Fambourg.

The 3rd Drawer; Other lip products both a mixture of high and low end brands.

Lipliners by MAC & Topshop, Lipglosses by MAC, Dior, Eyeko, Barry M, MeMeMe, Bourjois.



The 4th Drawer; Blushers and Bronzers

MAC MSF Natural in Medium Plus, MAC MSF in Soft & Gentle, MC Bronzer in Refined Golden, MAc Blushers in Style, Well Dressed, Blushbaby & Dessert Rose, Elf blushers in Candid Coral, Tickled Pink, Pink Passion, Elf Bronzer, Bourjois Chocolate bronzer & Bronzers by Gosh, H&M, Eyeko Tinted Cream.



The 5th Drawer; Foundations, Concealer, Tinted Moisturisers.

MAC Studio Fix Fluids in NW20, NW22 x2, NW25 and NW30, Revlon Photoready foundation in 004, 005 x2 and 007, Benefit High Beam highlighter, Chanel Mat Lumiere in 50, Lancome concealer, various Dior, Clains & Bobbi Brown samples, No7 & Liz Earle tinted moisturiser, Vivo highlighting cream.



The 6th Drawer; All things eye related - Shadows, liners, mascara.

Various liquid liners, eye pencils in various brands, mascara, x2 Sleek eyeshadow palettes in Storm & Original. Urban Decay naked palette, MAC pigment pot, Urban Decay palette (not sure on the name, but it has a gun on the packaging, HD Brows palette, various Barry M dazzle dusts, MUA pots, Elf duos and H&M shadows. Empty MAC quad (for when I travel).


My larger palettes;

MAC eyeshadow palette (incomplete) with shades Carbon, Nylon, Woodwinked, Satin Taupe, Wedge.
Elf 32 pc eyeshadow palette and eBay Blush Palette.


My false eyelashes;

Various eBay lashes, Vivo, MAC and random glues.

So, there you have it - my makeup collection/storage in all it's glory. I do feel that it has grown rapidly since joining the beauty community. However, i do not feel the need to hoard crazy amounts as some do. Collecting vast amounts of makeup is quite a few peoples hobbies, just not for me. All the makeup I do have, I use and none goes to waste. If i do come across something I don't use, I will usually pass on to my Mum, sister or friends rather than hoard it.

I'd love to see your posts, so if you have them, feel free to link me in the comments.

How do you store your makeup? What do you think to makeup collections? Are you an impulse buyer? Do you buy something just because it's raved about? Or do you prefer to only repurchase when you've ran out? I'd love to hear your thoughts..



Primark Haul: January 2012

As I mentioned in my last blog post, I've recently had a little Primark splurge over the last weekend. i picked up quite a few lovely pieces and for the mere grand total of £40. I always enjoy looking at other peoples Primark hauls, just to give myself a little idea of what they currently have in store and if anything tickles my fancy.

So, here is what I picked up;

Faux Fur trimmed gloves - £2 (reduced from £4)

Skull print scarf - £4

Leopard Print scarf - £4

Striped jumper - £8

Skinny Jeans - Both £11 each

I've been after a pair of stonewash bleached jeans for so so long now. I was really happy to stumble across these bargains in Primark, so I picked them up in a flash. I think they'll suit really well with the new jumper I purchased.

If you have posted a Primark haul lately, I'd love you to leave me a link in the comments below. I'm such a nosey parker.