Rosy Cheeks

I have never truly been a fan of blush, I think its because I have always had very pink cheeks that I have never really seen the need for blush. Things change though and I have become addicted to this cheek duo of Max Factor blush in Mulberry and MAC mineralise skin finish in Adored. Another reason is that Autumn is upon us and while I gradually start to phase out bronzer I have gradually tried to phase in blush, to give my cheeks a lovely flush of colour. 

 I think this blush is really unique as it is not very pink it has more of a reddy tone to it, with a subtle hint of sparkle. It can be used as a contour shade and a subtle blush. It hasn't got the nicest packaging but its what is inside that counts (cheesy cliches with Harriet). As far as the MAC MSF goes it adds just the right amount sheen and shimmer to the top of your cheek bones, making the apples of your cheeks look fuller. 

Lots of Love
Harriet xxx

Italy Haul

So when we went to Italy I got a bit excited about Kiko and Sephora. Although having said that I am really proud of myself as I thought I was really restrained, because trust me I could have done way more damage. 

 From Rome I bought two Formula X nail polishes in Harmonics and Obsessive. You would not believe how long I have wanted to try one of these. There were so many beautiful colours that I would love to try, but I chose these two because I thought Harmonics looked a bit like Essie Splash of Grenadine which I have seen Estee of Essie Button wear and I always wonder what it is. I really love the formula of these they are long lasting plus they are so shiny, like a mean really shiny they actually make it look like you have gel nails. 

The next shop we went to was Kiko where I bought A Kiss Balm in the colour Apricot, it is so lovely and reminds me of the Revlon Lip Butters in the shade Tutti Frutti. I also bought a top coat because you know with nail varnish comes a top coat, I think thats all I can really say on that subject. 

The last thing I bought was a eyeliner in Royal Blue from Wjcon. I have seen a lot of people rocking blue eyeliner and I wanted to give it a go. I really like lining my water line with this as I think it makes my eyes look greener than usual. 

Lots of Love 
Harriet xxxx

Rose Garden

I have just got back from a lovely two weeks in Italy with my family, it was one of those holidays where all I wanted to do was lie by the pool with a good book and eat my entire body weight in pizza, pasta and ice cream. The hotel we stayed in was so stunning I couldn't resist taking outfit posts, also as these were taken early on in the holiday my legs aren't completely covered in bites as they were when I got home (dam you mosquitoes!) We stayed in a hotel called Castello Di Monterone which was a converted castle and was honestly the best hotel I have ever stayed in, and as for Italy I completely fell in love with it. Everyone was so friendly and welcoming I literally didn't want to come home. If you are ever thinking of going to Italy I highly recommend going to Perugia, it has to be one of the most beautiful places I have ever been!

My dress is one I picked up in the sales in Miss Selfridge before we went away, I love the floaty layers on this dress that make it not just like your typical summer dress and all the colours in it there is a real mismatch of greens, blues, pinks, brown ect. 

I paired this with my Limited Collection M&S shoes, these shoes are so comfy! I have a real soft spot for M&S shoes as I think the quality is always great plus not many people think of M&S to buy shoes so you can avoid that awkward wearing the same shoes as someone else situation. They had this pair in pink as well and I really regret not picking them up!

I have kept my make up really simple and used this gorgeous Benefit mini set which my friend Ellie got me for my birthday, but seriously look at it isn't this just the sweetest thing. I think minis are such a good idea because you can try them out and if you like them you can them go on to buy the full size knowing that you definitely like the product. 

I hope every one has had a great summer!
Lots of love 
Harriet 

This post is not sponsered

Holiday Reads

So I love to read, I always have. I enjoy nothing more than curling up by the pool on holiday and reading a good book. I thought I would give a few of my recommendations on what I enjoy to read on holiday. 

The Girl You Left Behind JoJo Moyes 
This is by the amazing author of the book Me Before You, her books are so easy to get caught up by and warning they are real sleep disturbers! They are beautiful love stories that are a great pool time read. 

Plain Truth Jodie Picoult
This book is a mystery that literally kept me guessing to the last page, I have a real knack for guessing what happens (I think its all those crime dramas I watch!), I would really recommend it for an easy holiday read. It gives you an insight into the Amish life style and way of life and shows how life can change when two worlds come together. 

The Thread Victoria Hislop 
Yet another great author, her books are great as they usually jump between two time periods which keeps things really interesting. It is another love story (sensing a theme here!) it is quite a large book, but don't be put of by that I read in about a week and a half and I am not the quickest reader. 

The House of Silk Anthony Horowitz
This is a Sherlock Holmes book, that is wrote by Anthony Horowitz by permission of the Sherlock Holmes society. Sherlock doesn't really feature in the book as its main focus is John Watson, it follows him round as he tries to solve the mystery of Sherlock's death and the mysterious murders that are taking place. 

The Girls Lori Lansens
This story follows the life of two girls who happen to be Siamese twins, the books follows their life leading up to their birthday which may be their last, it give each one of the twins perspective and shows how different they are from each other. It is such a loely story and is sure to make you cry. 

Lots of Love 
Harriet xxxx

Dry Shampoo: the good, the bad and the volumising

I thought I would review three dry shampoos that could be found on the high street to see which ones I think are the best. 

Batiste Dry shampoo in Wild- Batiste is the hands down royalty of dry shampoo, its every where! I feel like I am going to drop a real clanger here when I say I don't like it... I have tried to get on with, but I really hate it. It leaves an awful white residue which is highly visible in my hair and makes it look grey. I think if I had light coloured hair it would be more discrete, but it just makes me look like a badger. One tip I found was to spray the dry shampoo in your hair the night before and then when you wake up it is all blended in, but lets face it although it works it kind of defeats the purpose of dry shampoo for me. The one redeeming feature is that it smells nice, but that doesn't really make up for the fact I don't like it. I rate it 3/10. 

Batiste Dry shampoo in Medium- This is a whole other story! The colour match for my hair is really good, and it manages to make my hair look fresh and clean when I haven't got time to wash it. The scent isn't quite as nice as the Wild one, but it doesn't small bad by any means. This is definitely the one to pick up if you have dark brunette hair. I rate it 9/10

Garnier Ultimate Blends, The Silky 7-in-1 dry shampoo- This dry shampoo needs no residue what so ever, I don't think it works best as a dry shampoo but more of a volumising spray. It also leaves your hair really smooth and soft, like a spray on conditioner. It has a lovely vanilla scent, which is good if you like vanilla maybe a bit over powering if you don't though. I rate it 7/10

Lots of love 
Harriet xxxx

Ciaté Dolls House collection

Last week I turned 17 which was really exciting, and my friend Louise bought me this really thoughtful present which I am really grateful for. 

The nail varnishes are really beautiful pastel shades and have a Porcelain finish that are semi matte yet have a bit of shine to them. The texture of them is quite chalky and powdery. I am sold on the formula of these as they have to be the quickest drying nail polishes I have ever used. 

The colours are:
Paper Doll- which is a pure white.
Poppet- which is a soft lilac.
Sweet Pea- which is a minty green. 
Doll Face- which is a peachy nude.
Baby Doll- which is a soft peach pink. 
My favourites are Poppet and Paper Doll, I think all the colours got together really well to make a ombre nail look or just one colour at a  time. 

Lots of Love 
Harriet xxxx

Seventeen phwoarr paint

Concealer is a staple product in my make up routine, I cannot go a day with out using it to mask all the pesky blemishes that decide to take up residence on my face, was that too much information if it was I'm sorry! So having blemishes to battle I am always on the look out for a concealer that has a high coverage yet does not cake or oxidise when it is on the skin. 

I really REALLY love this concealer, it state that it is supposed to be used as a "heavy duty under eye concealer" but I don't really think that is its best application, I think it is best used on blemishes as it goes on matte plus when powdered it doesn't budge! I like to use my Real Techniques Pointed Foundation Brush to apply it with as the tip is really small which allows accurate pin pointing and gives you a lot of control. I feel like you get a decent amount of product for the £5.49 you pay for it, and the packaging isn't really bulky meaning it doesn't take up too much room in my make up bag. 

Sorry it is so messy, it is well loved!

Sound good so far... Well there is one down side. The shade range is awful! There are only two shades Fair and Medium, the fair one suits me perfectly in the winter, but when my face gets more tanned it looks a bit to pinky and almost highlights my blemishes which isn't great. I am not the most tanned person so I feel that this concealer wouldn't really work for that many skin tones, but if it does suit your skin tone go for it you won't regret it!

Lots of Love 
Harriet xxxx