Beauty Talk | Back To The Bronze Look

Inspired to shake things up on the beauty front (mainly after after avidly watching Lisa Elderidge's new tutorial) I decided to cast aside my most-coveted peachy pink hues in favour of something a little more daring. Thinking bronzed perfection, not quite sun-kissed, more of a natural look with a hint of sophistication. Delving into my beauty stash in search of the perfect pieces for the look, many of which I think are highly underrated, I decided it was about time I professed my love for something other than my usual pink blush and lipstick combo.

Laura Mercier Tinted Moisture
My teenage self would be beside herself if one day she knew that her god awful skin would get it's act together and be able to wear a thin layer of tinted moisturiser. Masking all the skin's imperfections, all whilst letting it breathe, it preps your skin to have your best complexion on show.

Make Up Forever Full Coverage Concealer

I'm not ashamed to admit that I have multiple back-ups of this bad boy from my recent U.S travels. Coming soon to the beauty counters of Debenhams, this high impact concealer covers, masks and conceals with an almighty long lasting finish. Easy to blend, it works effortlessly on troublesome blemishes as it does on (let's not beat around the bush) dark eye bags.

Chanel Soleil Tan Bronzer

A forgotten find from my collection (gulp), this tropical scented bronzer has made waves in the beauty world year after year. A creamy formula that allows you to blend, blend, blend - it can be layered to achieve the perfect bronzed look. 

Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector highlighter

You know that effortless sunkissed look that's sprawled out across the high-summer editorial pages? Becca simply bottled it. Otherwise known as the Opal highlighter, it brings a touch of shimmer and creates that lit glow from within. Sunshine in a bottle, yup - you heard right.

Laura Mercier Blush in Honey Mocha

This beauty cast off came from an unloved home (basically, Michelle). Never one to resist a blusher, it did take some practice to get a hold on such a matte bronzed shade. With a light touch, simply dust along your cheek bones (rather than the apples - muddy blush is never a good look) and it creates the most beautiful sculpting look.

Urban Decay Lipstick in Naked

Having never dabbled further than their eyeshadow offerings, I was intrigued to use this miniature edition from a gift set. Surprisingly creamy with a hint of shine, this is the 'my lips but better' shade I've been searching for so long. Is it any wonder the full size version is on my to-buy list.

Liz Earl Eyeliner

Completely underrated in the beauty world, where Liz Earle may lack in seasonal creative campaigns, they sure know how to master the basics. Their kohl eyeliner being no exception, gliding on a rich pigmented line, it blows many more hyped liners out of the water.

Urban Decay Naked Palette

Every girl and her granny has the UD naked palette neatly tucked away in her collection, and as a self confessed addict to Sin and Virgin (the lighter shadows of the palette), passing up the shimmers I finally flirted with the idea of matte shadow and swept a light wash of Naked on the lid. A sophisticated switch up, this simple swap not only made my baby blues shine but completely encourages me to branch out from the shimmers that I'm used too.

There you have it, a few golden oldies with a couple of new additions thrown in for good measure. Have you tried any of these products?

STYLE | The Trench Coat

Trench Coat - Miss Selfridge 

Effortlessly stylish, there's no denying the trench coat is a true British icon. Forever in fashion, it's that wardrobe piece you can always simply rely on come the tricky in-between season moments of rain and shine. Having dusted off my last Topshop trench and deciding it really had seen better days, I hunted high and low for it's suitable replacement to then chance upon this luxe offering.

With sharp tailoring, that almost cream but not too beige hue, swish silver buttons (yes, swish) and the just-right correct length with pockets (oh yes), this beautiful trench made it's way to me just as the weather turned. From none other than Miss Selfridge, uh huh - you heard me correctly. Coming in just shy of seventy bucks, it's a worthwhile investment that will have your girl math balancing cost per wear like no other.

Paired with my Kate Spade tote from my American travels last year and a much-needed dose of colour popping coral courtesy of my Oasis pumps - my wardrobe is neither impressed with the sudden miserable weather and has resorted to back to basics with Gap t-shirts and a plethora of jeans.

Here's to hoping the sun will take his hat off!

She Who Dares, Wins.

Quite the crazed week indeed, the days leading up to the bank holiday were endless string of dinner dates with both friends old and new, with a jam-packed work schedule of prepping for the long weekend. Friday rolled around, I was glad to say hello to the four days off. Bliss. With a life lately long over due, here's a bevy of Sunday Monday thoughts...


1. A road trip with the girls was the first adventure on my agenda. Just what the doctor ordered, complete with champagne and dancing shoes, there's really nothing quite like letting your hair down with some of your favourite gal pals and then blasting back up the motor way with an overlarge pair of sunnies. I still haven't mustered up the courage to look at my camera roll, and only in time will I be able to even glimpse at another glass of bubbly.


2. Then just like that, my poor grandmother (otherwise known as the biggest CGFB fan gurl) was rushed into hospital with heart problems. Being incredibly close to my grandparents, it came as quite the shock. That being said I have spent the majority of the weekend keeping an 80 year old troublemaker out of mischief and under control with the bribery of sweets and iPad browsing. She is set to have a rather big op on Tuesday, which hopefully will have her coming out even more naughty.

3. Which brings me to say, that in times of need, it makes you so much more grateful for the friends and loved ones who reach out to you no matter what. With my pesky chest pains (which are still proving to be a medical mystery), and now the worry of grandmother - it really has been a learning curve of which friends make an effort to turn your frown upside down. From a simple 'hey' to a last minute pizza date, be it a long lost friend who touches base from time to time, or your most called on speed dial, it's only in time of need do you appreciate your most supported network. And for those, I am eternally grateful too.

A photo posted by Sarah (@citygirlsfashionbox) on Mar 28, 2015 at 10:50am PDT

On a slightly lighter note, last week saw the arrival of a few sneaky wardrobe additions. Some of you may have spied on my instagram, don't ask me how but I won a cracking £500 voucher for Warehouse through a competition which resulted in a mini spree and a rather loud scream whilst checking my email in the office. In other news, my gym attendance has been slack, this may be due to my new found hatred of spin - how does one person even have that much sweat? Ick. And, I also managed to bag tickets to Star Wars Secret Cinema - even bigger scream!

Is that everything? I think so. Over and out!