THE BEAUTY EDIT: SEPTEMBER FAVOURITES!

Shall we pretend that little two month break didn't happen? Okay? Great! 

I've had a busy few weeks turning 21 (eep!), enjoying the last of summer, and the inevitable post-graduate job hunt! Right now I'm interning in London for an amazing fashion website (and wanting to kill everyone on the 7.33 train each morning...) so my time (and shopping) has been restricted, hence the blogging break! 

Let's ease back into things with a September favourites list, with five of my latest hits. 

First up is a product I've been able to convert some of my friends to with my raving reviews, so it's not surprise it ended up on a favourites list. The Maybelline Baby Skin Instant Pore Eraser for £7.99. The primer gives an amazing base for foundation that actually leaves your skin as soft as a baby. The best part is that Maybelline products are usually on a 3for2 offer of sorts at Boots, so stock up on this little beauty, you'll never look back.

My next beauty favourite is my current nail colour of choice, a spur of the moment buy that is the Rimmel 60 Seconds Nail Varnish in Mind the Gap, Victoria, for £3.69. I'm usually a nude or red nails kinda gal, but a Boots trip with my girlfriends had me feeling a little bit daring with this bright blue hue. I've had lots of ladies asking me what the colour was, and what a gorgeous colour it is, so I'm definitely a blue convert! 

Next up is a travel sized hair product that packs a lot of punch. The Bumble and bumble Hairdresser's Invisible Oil is a wonder product. I'm not really sure what else I can say about it. It makes my hair gloriously shiny, silky soft, and good lord I need to buy about 15 more bottles. The full size 100ml bottle sells for £31, but you only need two-three pumps a time, making it a purse friendly hair staple.

I'm pretty much the last person to jump aboard the NARS love train, but bear with me, I'm finally there! The NARS Sheer Matte Foundation is my next beauty favourite this month and ooooh is it a goodie. A good coverage that got rid of my weird redness and left me with a smooth matte finish, the £31 foundation is just as good as everyone told me it was. 

And lastly for this month, the argan oil trend has properly got to me. After a stressful day at work a few weeks ago, a Body Shop staff member got me into one of those chairs and exfoliated and oiled my arm with this new product and it was pretty much a done deal on the spot. The Body Shop Wild Argan Oil Radiant Oil is a spray oil for the body and hair that gives a fantastic just-been-tanning glow that lasts, dries quickly and in true Body Shop style, smells amazing. At £14, it's a pricier body product, but my legs have never been smoother! 

What have been your beauty hits this month? Share with me below or on Twitter! (I promise not to leave it so long next time!)

THE LIFE EDIT: The semi-hiatus is over!

Phew, I've been gone for a minute, moving house is hard! The past few weeks have been spent moving out and cleaning my old student flat, moving back in with my parents, trying to find a job, getting very ill and lots of family ups and downs along the way! I'm back settled in my tiny old box room with plenty of time to share with the blog now!  

Moving back home from university is a  very weird adjustment - funnily enough my parents aren't up for random shots and pizza dance parties at 3am. Who would've thought? It's all about Netflix and early bedtimes now. 

I thought I'd share some Instagram shots with you of the last few weeks to catch you up to speed about life back in Berkshire and what I've been doing with my time! 

In no real order, I moved out of my Southampton flat, got reacquainted with the natural beauty around Berkshire (sunsets at the lakes are my favourite), a family wedding, caught up with my best friends, enjoyed Wireless Festival (even the Kanye speech...kind of) and passed university!! 

A bit of a mad few weeks where I also managed to watch the majority of the US Office, because I am a graduate with my priorities straight! For a more regular look into what I'm getting up to, follow me on Instagram  or Twitter! I will always follow back or say hi! (Also if anyones wondering, I'm now an A-List celebrity on Kim Kardashian Hollywood which has taken the majority of my time, not even ashamed!)

What have you been up to this summer?

Back to regular blogging now! xo  

THE BEAUTY EDIT: The concealing dream team

When it comes to contouring, highlighting and concealing - I'm a bit of a novice. I usually tend to go for the 'cover-it-in-concealer-and-add-some-blush-at-the-end' method whilst rushing out the door late. I decided (in the beauty aisles of Boots, naturally) it was time for a change. 

 

The Boots 3-for-2 offers, as you will know from previous beauty posts, are my kryptonite. And where the majority of my student loan has gone for the past three years. I thought I'd brush up on my contour and concealing skills with a mini haul of new goodies.

 

First up on my dream team is the L'Oreal Nude Magique Highlighting Illuminating Concealer for £8.49. I work this in a C shape around my eye and brow, and then in a line between my cheekbone and jawbone for jawline definition. It has a  illuminating finish and gives a lovely dewy glow when used with the Revlon Highlighting Palette.   

 

As a main concealer, the L'Oreal True Match Touche Magique Concealer is my new favourite. Perfect for sorting out any tricky rosacea and spots, the True Match product, at only £8.19 is a wonder concealer. Much lighter than premium concealers like the Benefit Boi-ing, it does the job without the heavy feeling on your skin.

 

And my last pick in this concealing dream team is the Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge from my last beauty haul. With three edges, a smooth point, a flat edge and rounded side is perfect for blending in concealer. There's plenty of good reviews floating around the Internet about this sponge, and they're right - its a wonder sponge.

 

What's in your make-up dream team? Let me know here or on Twitter! xo

 

THE BEAUTY EDIT: Haulin' Haulin'

Boots got me again. When I could tear myself away from an OITNB marathon I got caught up in another 3-for-2 offer in the beauty aisles of Boots. So here we go, a quick cheeky Boots beauty haul! 

After a slightly disappointing run with the Maxfactor Facefinity Primer, I picked up the new Maybelline Baby Skin Instant Pore Eraser Primer for £7.99. The lightweight primer gives a great base to foundation and gives a smooth finish. 

As it gets closer to summer my love for foundation completely vanishes. My skin isn't good enough to go without during the summer, so BB cream becomes my best friend each June. The Maybelline Dream Pure BB Cream is a real goodie. I chose the oily skin version, and it's definitely a summer essential that will cover your skin without the cakey overdone feeling foundation gives during summer.

To complete my Maybelline 3-for-2 offer I grabbed myself something I had yet to try, Brow Mascara. The Maybelline Browdrama Sculpting Brow Mascara is usually £4.99, and it's a great subtle mascara to finish off your brows.

Because I clearly have a shopping problem, I was sucked into another promotional purchase of the Bourjois Volume 1 Seconde Mascara at an introductory price of £6.99. The mascara has a really volume effective barrel brush that left me with practically no clumps. A great newbie product. 

What products have you been been picking up lately? 

Let me know in the comments or tweet me! 

  

THE LIFESTYLE: Book Review 'If You Have to Cry, Go Outside' by Kelly Cutrone

Kelly Cutrone is like a scary old head teacher I used to have at secondary school, but with a serious contacts book and fashion credibility to make any intern quiver. When I discovered her book, 'If you have to cry, go outside' on an Amazon binge shopping trip, it ticked all my reading boxes, and here's why...

I've joked about a quarter life crisis before in a couple of posts, but if you're in a situation where you're at a crossroads, or you're not entirely happy with where you're going/what you're doing (aka, any graduate, or general twentysomethings)  Kelly Cutrone has written the book to give you a big ol' kick up the, well you know...

I picked up this book last year on a whim from Amazon, not really expecting much than a good read for train journeys, but I couldn't bring myself to put it down. Kelly's do-it-fucking-now-and-do-it-right attitude is infectious. Not in the way that she was a scary boss you'd do anything for  from her appearances on The Hills and The City, but in the way she makes you question what you're doing, why you're doing it, and why the fuck isn't it going right. 

Kelly is a successful business woman, and the book tells the story of her experiences of creating her own PR company People's Revolution -  from witty ditties to shocking lows - even to a surprising spiritual level. One of the most successful women in the industry, Cutrone is known for her no-nonsense attitude when it comes to her work, her personal life, and her pared down style. Famously named 'Kell on Earth', this book goes a long way to show why Kelly is the tough cookie she is, how she learnt from her own experiences and what it takes to make it in a tough industry.

Having just finished university - and the academic world forever - I found myself a bit stuck on my next move. I rediscovered this book during the big move home and had to read it again, if only for the wise words to fire me into some direction of a career path. For the second time, I finished it with record speed and was completely invigorated by Kelly's story. 

If you're looking to read an interesting fashion book, a book to take for a weekend away, or a motivational book with none of the preach, 'If you have to cry...' is it. An engaging enjoyable read that will make you want to dress in all black, ditch your job and run off to New York. I'm packing the suitcase of black now. 

Do you have any must-read selections for me? Let me know below or on Twitter! 

THE FASHION EDIT: What's in my bag?

I know I know. How many 'Whats in my bag?' posts are there now? Probably thousands. But there's a new Zara baby in the handbag pack, so we had to welcome her properly... 

As soon as my final work for university was handed in it was straight to West Quay to treat myself to some major retail therapy. I'd been eyeing this monochrome double pocket beauty for a while, and what is a better 'Congratulations Me!' treat than a new Zara handbag? There is none my friend. 

And so commenced the handbag clear out, and once I'd gotten rid of all the receipts and junk, this is what I'm left carrying around in my new monochrome love.

In the back compartment, I have my Kent hairbrush, Mulberry purse, my trusty old iPod and my iPhone (and it's adorable Marc by Marc Jacobs case!) All the boring usual handbag stuff!

Onto the bigger zip compartment, my glasses go everywhere with me, and these tortoise shell beauties are my new pair from Tom Ford. Sunnies and phone charger are a handbag necessity as well, because like everyone else, my iPhone's battery life is shocking, and I like to look like a hungover mess with sunnies on most of the time I'm outside. 

I try to keep a book with me most of the time because I tend to get a lot of buses and trains on my own, and my chosen book of the month is 'Is everyone hanging out without me? (And other concerns)' by the wonderful Mindy Kaling. She's a definite girl crush, and her book is hilarious so far. And definitely one of those books you can dip in and out of, so ideal for travelling. 

And onto the mess of my lipstick collection, at any given time my handbag usually holds around 5-7 lipsticks, I'm not the only one who does that, right? I'm definitely having a red moment with lip products, and right now I've got digging around the bottom of my bag: a matte red Mac in Dangerous, Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvet in Hot Pepper, Bourjois Shine Edition in shade 21 (the label has worn off, it's one of my favourites!) Smashbox Megatint Longwear Lip Colour in Mimosa (a great orangey shade) and of course a nude for those days when you just can't be bothered,  the Laura Mercier lipstick in Sandcastle.

Thrown in with my Diesel Loverdose perfume and some L'Occitane hand cream, that's the contents of my handbag! And I give it a week to stay that tidy...

Let me know what items you have to have in your handbag! Thanks for reading! xo 

THE BEAUTY EDIT: May Favourites!

Technically it is the last day of May, but that just means this post will be a really accurate measure of my May favourites! With finishing university, moving home and the quarter life crisis I seem to be going through, Culture Wonder has been neglected. Now I have plenty of free time to spend browsing Boots buying beauty products I don't need! And with that...

This months beauty picks come in a collection of five very different products. The first favourite has been coveted by so many beauty bloggers it seemed ridiculous not to pick some up myself, and I have to say, the Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water (£4.99) did not disappoint. The cleansing, soothing make up remover is a must, and is even suitable for ridiculously sensitive skin - an all-round goodie! 

With the small glimpse of summer we had in the UK last week and the many hours I spent hiding in my room finishing my final major project for university, my make-up routine was cut right down to basics. I picked up the L'Oreal Paris Nude Magique CC Cream Anti- Fatigue (£9.99) about a week ago to step away from my high coverage foundation and get something lighter for summer. It's a great CC cream that can take a little blending if you're extremely pale like me, but gives my skin a great glow! Definitely a keeper for this summer. 

Speaking of blending, after reading lots of mixed reviews I decided to take the plunge and pick up a Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge (£5.99) during the 3-for-2 offer in Boots and I was not disappointed! The three edges help blend make up all over the face, and with the masses of concealer I've been wearing the past few weeks, this Miracle Complexion Sponge has been my saviour. 

Moving onto haircare, I could blame my laziness with my hair on my last few weeks of uni, but let's face it I've always been a minimalist - that's the word I'm going with, not lazy - when it comes to styling my hair. If you're like me and want to keep your hair routine as simple but effective as possible, I have the product for you. The Bumble & Bumble Thickening Blow Dry Spray (£21.50) is my go-to volume product, a couple of pumps into your hair and this spray gives all the oomph and takes away none of the shine or texture. Result. 

And my final beauty favourite this month has to be the Bourgois Rouge Edition Velvet Lipstick in 03 Hot Pepper (£8.99) The liquid lipstick has been causing quite a stir with the range of statement long lasting shades. I picked up the matte finish lip product in Hot Pepper - and I might have found my perfect red lip product (I'm sorry MAC, Chili still has a special place in my heart.)

Let me know what products you've been coveting this month. Thanks for reading! xo 

THE BEAUTY EDIT: Urban Veda

This week I got the opportunity to try some natural skincare products from the much-talked-about brand Urban Veda. The philosophy behind Urban Veda is simple, 'The urbanveda range has been formulated using natural ingredients and the principles of Ayurveda in a relevant way for 21st century skin care complaints to ‘pollution proof’ skin leaving it less vulnerable to the environment.'

With the all natural message behind this brand, I was excited to try these products for myself. I decided to test them after a day of wearing full make-up and errand running, so my face was feeling suitably worse-for-wear and in need of some loving. 

Neem + Botanics Daily Purifying Facial Wash was the first stop after taking off my make-up. This purifying facial wash promises to mattify and refine pores. And it completely worked - my face felt so much cleaner and clearer after using this - amazingly minty - face wash alone. I moved onto the Neem + Botanics Purifying Exfoliating Facial Polish next, and fell in love. This polish is a wonder product for £8.99 - exfoliating without causing redness or irritation, it left my skin silky smooth and brought a mattified natural feel back to my face. To finish off my little pamper evening, Turmeric + Botanics Radiance Day Cream replenished and moisturised my skin back to a healthy state. 

As my skin tends to be on the oily side, the Purifying range from Urban Veda is perfect for me, but with three other ranges for specialist skin - Radiance with Turmeric, Soothing with Sandalwood and Reviving with Rose, there's a Ayurveda range made to bring your skin back to life. 

THE BEAUTY EDIT: Orange, orange everywhere.

Spring is the perfect time of year to reinvent yourself and try something new - and this week I've found my new thing! And yes, I might've gone a little overboard in Boots this week... 

A university assignment had me needing a new beauty trend to write about, and some Pinterest procrastination, hello Rag & Bone SS14, gave me not only a feature piece but four new lip products and a whole new Spring look. If there's anything I learnt from my fashion degree, it's how to justify clothes, make-up and shoe purchases! 

This is of course the beauty trend for Spring I am referring to: the orange lip. A statement look not for the fainthearted, the high street is full of products to help you achieve all your tangerine dreams. And the best bit, I've found five of the best for you. 

If you're after the bright and beautiful statement look Gucci Westman created for Rag & Bone, I'd suggest Topshop Lip Cream in ‘Pout’ for £7. The highly pigmented gloss is a bold statement not to be taken lightly - even I was a bit apprehensive about taking this out on Southampton High Street. If you want the most true-to-colour orange lip, Smashbox Mega Tint Long Wear Lip Colour in ‘Mimosa’ (£15.50) is the one for you. The subtle lip tint can be rocked in a day look, and the orange colour stays looking fresh for hours. For the matte lip lovers, Revlon is your answer. Revlon ColorBurst Matte Balm in ‘Audacious’ (£7.99) is possibly the perfect matte orange product, and again, not for the fainthearted. If you're feeling a bit shy about trying an orange lip, Laura Mercier Lipstick in ‘Roman Moon’ (£19.50) should be your go-to. The corally colour dips in the orange trend ever so slightly, and is a great starting point before you're on the Revlon! And possibly my favourite, the Topshop Lip Bullet in ‘Hearbeat’ (£8) is a must have to throw in your handbag and stick on when you need a little make-up pick-me-up! 

So there it is, your high street go-to to spice up your Spring make-up looks! Let me know how you're rocking yours! xo 

THE FASHION: Emoji Accessories.

Just like anyone with a smartphone or tablet, Emoji's are a big deal for me. 

When words fail, there's a cheeky icon for everything, and I am extremely guilty of overusing them! So if you're an emoji addict like myself, this is the accessories collection for you. 

M'oticons is a collaboration from Edie Parker and shoe designer Del Toro. Featuring some of your favourite emoji's, the collection of hashtag clutches ($1595, about £970) and loafers ($340, about £205) and is hot off the press, launching this week. 

Hashtag clutches go alongside the collection of loafers with catchy and hilar phrases - #HotChick, #QueenBee and #TheShit are my personal favourites.

A definite conversation started and must-have for the social media addict (ahem, moi) these stand out accessories might be my new favourite things for Spring! #QueenBee

Find out more about the collection and buy from Moda Operandi!