Rimmel Sun Shimmer Self Tan Mousse review

If you know me then you know that I am the palest person you will ever meet and now and again especially on special occasions when I'm exposing my legs or arms etc I like to look a bit more bronzed and often tan myself especially at this time of the year where you can't just step outside and get a tan.
I think when I've got a tan I feel much more confident and I'm less self conscious about not wearing tights or jeans when going to a posh event or out round town, I can feel sassy and comfortable with my bronzed goddess legs out! Now I'm not saying that if you are pale and choose not to fake than that you can't feel beautiful and 'goddess' like but this is just a personally preference of mine.

I've only recently started self tanning in the last year or so as I was always too scared to try any out and look like a cheese puff because I am that pale that even the light shade would look supper dark on me. So I started out with trying self tanning moisturisers but they werent really what I was looking for, they weren't as dark as it'd have liked it to go and didn't bronze my skin like I would have hoped.

I thought I'd try a self tanner mousse for the first time. I didn't want to go for really expensive ones from brands such as 'Loving tan' or 'St Tropez' because that'd be at least £20 or more down the drain if I were to not like it! So I opted for a drugstore self tanner from Rimmel.

I've used the Rimmel Sun Shimmer Sel Tan Mousse for just under about a year now and I absolutely love it! It does everything and more than what I would want to get bronzed skin and it being super cheap at just under £8 its my number one self tanner.

After moisturising, shaving and using my 'Bodyshop virgin mojito exfoliater' in the shower so my body is now clean from all excess dirt I apply the self tanner with a tanning mit, mine is a St tropez mit I received for my birthday but I'm sure you can find just as good mits from Primark or elsewhere for half the price. The product is super easy to apply and goes on very evenly.
It dries completely in 5 minutes which is amazing meaning you don't have to sit around and wait before doing something and after washing the guide colour off after about two hours it left a lovely even golden look.
I decided to purchase the light shade to see if that would do the job and be as dark as I'd like and it sure did the job. It is perfect for every day wear if you are only wanting a light natural bronze look but is also build able if you are wanting to go a little darker! It doesn't make you look orange which is great as being so pale most self tanners can often do that!
And finally, unlike most self tanning products this one doesn't have a really revolting biscuity smell to it!

Thanks for reading, see you soon.
Katie x

My top 5 must have A/W coats

Autumn and winter is my favourite time of the year clothing wise, I love just being wrapped up warm in a big woolly jumpers with knee high socks and a good sturdy pair of boots. But one clothing item that is an essential for me especially in autumn and winter is coats! You can never have to many coats. Coats are so versatile and there are so many to choose from especially this year with the trends being so different.

Being the big coat lover I am I've been browsing the web and searching stores to see what different coats they have that might tickle my fancy and I've seen a range from inexpensive ones to expensive ones to neutral beige tones ones to crazy patterned ones. And here I am to share my top 5 must have coats for autumn/winter with you to help you find your perfect coat for this season.

H&M Faux fur leopard print jacket

If you read my previous post you probably know I have a little bit of an obsession with anything leopard print at the moment and when I saw this jacket in H&M I fell in love! And as if it couldn't get anymore better than the design the material was so fricken soft it felt like a cloud (or what I imagine a cloud to feel like) and would keep you extremely warm and is something you definitely want if you come from England. The only downside was the price. I've always know H&M to be quite reasonably priced and often items are cheap so when I saw the price of this jacket was almost £80 I was a little shook as I was expecting it to be at least £50 but on the other hand I wasn't too surprised because when searching online for faux fur leopard print jackets they were seen to be priced a lot higher so is most likey the cheapest one I will find but personally I am still not willing to pay £80 for a jacket.

ZARA Quilted jacket with textured hood

If you haven't seen at least one person wearing one of these 'puffer jackets' then you've definitely been living under a rock as they are very in this season with many different colours, but personally I love this mustard colour one as it adds a little something to my all black wardrobe and the dark gloomy nights of autumn/winter. Even though this jacket doesn't look the warmest of them all it will be perfect if you live in a more wet and rainy place in comparison to a cold and chilly one due it being a waterproof material and coming with a hood which can I say adds so much to it with the lining of fur. With it being from Zara it is a little pricey but you are paying for a good quality quilted jacket however I have seen many similar in high street stores such as Primark however not all come with hoods.

Miss guided Tan slim fit coat

Tan/camel coloured jackets are very in this season and it doesn't surprise me as they have that very sophisticated and classy look to them without even trying! This jacket is perfect for a night out or on a little bit of a warmer autumn day as the material doesn't look as warm and fluffy as the first jacket but looks like it has a soft texture to it! The length on the jacket is perfect especially for petite people like myself as it won't drawn you going down to your ankles however the only problem is there is no button or zip to close the jacket so if it gets extremely cold you're still quite exposed.

New Look Black Faux fur lined leather jacket

Last year for Christmas I received an almost identical jacket to this one from New Look but from Debenhams and it's been a love of mine ever sine! When it comes to this season I can never take it off! I think jackets such as these are so fashionable but also pretty basic in the sense they can be dressed down or dressed up depending on the occasion! I'm a lover of the faux leather style as that leather, rock-chic is my kind of vibe and style but the liner faux fur just adds to that winter feeling making it look a lot more cosy and warm. The only downside to leather jacket is it can be quite tight fitting so is usually uncomfortable when wearing a think jumper underneath.

I saw it first Black/white 3/4 sleeve long line checked blazer

Now this one is probably not a suitable jacket for those who are expecting to keep warm or if you live in England as it's a longline blazer so isn't the thickest of clothing but I just couldn't not include it because I think it's such a gorgeous blazer which is great value for money at only £25 it would create such a sophisticated look with a pair of high waisted jeans and a stylish pair of patent leather boots so would be a great item for an autumn night out for somewhere fancy.

Whats your number one clothing item this season?

Thanks for reading, see you soon.

Katie x

A/W leopard print velvet boots

If you follow me on either Twitter or Instagram (which you totally should)  you will have seen me teasing you all with a picture of these gorgeous leopard print velvet boots and mentioned you should keep an eye out on my blog for the big reveal on where they are actually from! I imagine some of you had a guess of places like Topshop, River Island, Zara but in fact you are all wrong. These boots are actually from Dorothy Perkins! A shop I wouldn't usually see myself shopping in mainly because back in my hometown we don't actually have one and secondly because of the target audience it's customers are, typically being middle aged or older women! But it's insane the amount of clothes you seen that you are like "wow I'd wear that".

When browsing in their for a birthday present for my mum I came across these beauty's and instantly fell in love but trying to be the good student I am and living of Pot noodles I stopped myself from buying them. Only to go back a week later and actually purchase them. I was amazed at how cheap these are originally priced at £35 but with my student discount cost me only £28 that's amazing for a great pair of comfortable, stylish boots. They have a good sturdy sole and are really easy to walk in even if you don't often wear heels at all!

When I wear boots that have a lot to them like these ones I tend to keep the rest of my outfit quite casual making sure I don't wear any other patterns which may clash or take the attention away from the boots and as my wardrobe is full of nothing but dark colours it was perfect to create a great look.

Leather Jacket - Debenhams

Jamie Jeans - Topshop

These are now only £26.25 on the Dorothy Perkins website, get them here!

Whats your number one clothing item this autumn/winter? Comment below!

Thanks for reading, see you soon.
Katie x

American make-up haul

If you read my NYC travel post then you will know that I went to New York (hence the blog post) and you can't not go to New York and not splurge millions of dollars in Sephora, am I right ladies?!
However being the poor student I am, I didn't exactly spend millions of dollars but it sure did feel like it!

I bought a couple of make up items with money I got for my birthday and here I am to share my thoughts and opinion on these products before you invest in them for yourself.

Huda Beauty liquid matte - shade: MUSE

I spent ages looking in Sephora for a lipstick (preferably a matte liquid in a nude/pinky shade) and obviously every beauty stand in there had at least 5 of each but I just couldn't make my mind up! In the end it came down to my sister convincing me to get the Huda beauty liquid matte in the shade muse, main reason being that you can't actually buy Huda Beauty in stores over here in England and I'm always sceptical about buying make-up online. So, I took her advice and bought it and I'm so glad I did! It's got an amazing formula unlike most liquid lipsticks it doesn't make your lips look or feel dry!  It's very lightweight, easy to apply and best of all long lasting!

The only down fall for me is it's a little more on the purple side in terms of shade than to what I would have liked but either way still a gorgeous colour!

Huda Beauty Rose Gold edition shadow palette

Another little story on this product is I originally went in Sephora intending to buy the 'Tarte in bloom' eye shadow palette but somehow my sister persuaded me out of it saying "I already have too many neutral eyeshadow palettes and I don't need another one"! I totally agree with where she is coming from. So having this in mind I took a browse at the Huda Beauty Rose Gold edition shadow palette and instantly fell in love, even more so when I tried it out!

The colours are absolutely gorgeous! Easy to blend and can create so many incredible looks! It includes 7 pressed glitter shades which add so much glam to the eyes. It's probably one of the most pigmented eye shadow palettes I've ever used and just glides on and stays on all day.

A little pricey but definitely worth the money.

Becca highlighter - shade: Champagne Pop

Now I'm sure you've heard many beauty bloggers discuss this highlighter before and I know I'm a bit late to the party but it's better late than never, right? Right!

I can agree with a lot of beauty bloggers and say this is an amazing highlighter!

It produces a gorgeous gold, shimmery glow, staying on all day! However it can create a very intense look so personally I wouldn't wear on a day to day basis.

 Even though the product was quite expensive you do get a lot of product so is definitely worth it! 

Laura Mercier translucent loose setting powder

Yet again, another product I'm late to the party on buying in the beauty blogger world!

I heard a lot of good reviews on this product but would always just stick to my drugstore 'Stay Matte' pressed powder my Rimmel as it did a good enough job but I thought it was time to venture out and try something a little different.

The Laura Mercier loose setting powder is extremely lightweight! Which I love!

It makes my skin look flawless and helps keep my foundation looking matte and stops it from getting 

patchy! 

A definite must in my makeup bag now

Kat Von D Lock it foundation - shade: Light 42 neautral

I was umming and ahhing whether to purchase the Kat Von D foundation or the Make up forever foundation having heard great reviews on them both! But in the end I ended up going with the Kat Von D foundation purely based on it being cheaper!

I wasn't overly impressed with this foundation and was rather disappointed having spent $35 in comparison to my usual £12 foundation.

I have quite dry skin and it made my skin really flaky and patchy especially around my nose and slightly on my forehead which made me feel very uncomfortable throughout the day.

The product is very thick and heavy that it doesn't settle.

I was also disappointed when it's advertised as 24 hour wear when it didn't even last a couple of hours before it started going patchy!

I really wanted to love this foundation, but unfortunately it wasn't for me.

Comment down below some of your favourite make-up items at the moment! I'm intrigued to see what everyone is loving.

Thanks for reading, see you soon.

Katie x