NEW IN: SKINCARE

When it comes to skincare my routine is incredibly basic. But lately I've been trying out a few new things and trying to get into a solid routine. These are two new products I've been loving lately...

Lush 'Dark Angels' Cleanser - As someone with sensitive skin, I've always loved Lush's products for the natural ingredients. I actually went in wanting to buy a Cupcake face mask (isn't that just everyone's pre-teen nostalgia in a tub? Sleepovers, anyone?) I was convinced by the girl to try out this cleanser instead. My skin is on the more dry side of combination which can make it difficult at points. I was looking for something which will scrub away the dry patches without breaking me out or causing oiliness. The first thing you will notice is that it looks like a pot of volcanic ash which is due to the charcoal and black sugar. You take a small amount on your hand, froth it up with water and then massage it in to your skin. It's quite messy but really does the job. You can feel the black sugar and charcoal really getting into your pores and cleansing them. It is sold as a cleanser but definitely works more effectively as an exfoliator. For me, this is definitely not an everyday product. I probably use it every three days or so when my skin is particularly dry. This is a life saver when I'm in need of giving my skin back its glow when I'm looking sallow and tired. Definitely will be a repurchase!

AOES Gentle Exfoliator * - After a little research I discovered that AEOS are 100% organic which straight away ticks my boxes. This is the complete opposite to the Lush cleanser, the consistency of the exfoliator is not gritty whatsoever. As a more gentle exfoliator, I would assume it would suit a wide variety of skin types and would especially suit someone who doesn't suffer from dry skin. Although I have liked using this product I wouldn't say my mind is by any means blown. I did assume this would be reasonably priced given the small amount you receive but was shocked to see the pretty huge price tag. It's nice to use in between the Lush one to not over-do exfoliating, but I'm sure there are a lot of cleansers out there which do the same job for a smaller price tag.

What are your favourite cleansers and exfoliators? Are there any gentle exfoliators you would recommend?

Lydia Rose,

xoxo

ps. "Lydia Rose XO" has been shortlisted in the Company Style Blogger Awards under the Best Personal Style Newcomer category. Click here to vote- it would mean the world! (You can skip the categories through to the end if you like to and then will be asked to enter your e-mail at the end). 

I would also love for you to nominate me for Cosmopolitan's Best Newcomer 

I am also currently running a giveaway to win a Benefit Gift Set 

BENEFIT THEY'RE REAL PUSH UP LINER LAUNCH & EVENT

On Monday I was lucky enough to be invited to the launch of Benefit's latest release, the 'They're Real' Push-Up Liner...



Getting to work with Benefit on my blog is something I feel incredibly privileged to be apart of. They put so much effort into their blogger packages and it is so amazing to be one of the first to hear about and try their latest products. As this was my first blogging event, I was feeling a little bit nervous and unsure of what to expect. I met up with the lovely Abi and we took on the task of tracking down the venue together in Leicester Square. You couldn't miss the venue which was a pink crime scene, complete with a pink banner and pink security tape.


We had our mug shots taken and were then served by prison guards with cocktails, fruit salads and muffins. The venue was like a huge cell with metal tables ready for bloggers to take their seats and watch the presentation.

It was fascinating to listen to one of Benefit's leading ladies take us through the 'Evolution of Eyeliner'. Not only that, but we were given insight into what exactly goes in the branding, testing and design of a product. Benefit have had this liner in the making for 5 years and you can definitely see why, given the innovation behind this product. A gel liner in a pen with the perfect tip to apply it... Benefit are the first to do it, and it's definitely something to be excited about. We were shown interviews from the Elle team who had received an unbranded version of the liner, tested it out, and confirmed it was one of the best that they'd used. It got us pretty excited! Lisa Benefit and her Benebabe in-mates then rushed out to tell us how to apply it, before we got to test it out for ourselves.

[Photo from Em Sheldon's blog]
We were handed these amazing goodie bags stocked with the 'They're Real' range, including the new eye-make up remover. Benefit had been so generous! Just as you'd expect from a room full of beauty bloggers, we got stuck into testing out the new liner straight away. As you can see, I set out to achieve the perfect cat eye, but let's say eyeliner isn't my forte...

Here's some close up photos of the liner which will be available to buy on June 28th. As you can see from the angled tip, it's designed to allow you to get as close to the lash line as possible, making your eyes look huge! I don't want to say too much about it though as a full review will be on my blog soon.

 Are you excited for this release? 

Lydia Rose,

xoxo

ps. "Lydia Rose XO" has been shortlisted in the Company Style Blogger Awards under the Best Personal Style Newcomer category. Click here to vote- it would mean the world! (You can skip the categories through to the end if you like to and then will be asked to enter your e-mail at the end). 

I would also love for you to nominate me for Cosmopolitan's Best Newcomer 

I am also currently running a giveaway to win a Benefit Gift Set 

WHAT I WORE | IF I COULD CHANGE YOUR MIND

Dress - SheInside* | Boots - Topshop | Headband - Forever21

I used to dress to express how I felt on the inside. I.e stomping around in buckled boots or giving a permanent v-sign to the world in my leather jacket. IT'S NOT JUST A PHASE, MOM. Actually, it kinda was. Lately I dress to express the opposite of how I feel. Surely the whole fun of clothes is constantly playing dress up. I don't really have one set style. I am constantly revisiting things and recreating. And that's why. When you feel constrained, wear bat wings. They make you feel like you can take on the world.

Lydia Rose,

xoxo

ps. "Lydia Rose XO" has been shortlisted in the Company Style Blogger Awards under the Best Personal Style Newcomer category. Click here to vote- it would mean the world! (You can skip the categories through to the end if you like to and then will be asked to enter your e-mail at the end). 

I would also love for you to nominate me for Cosmopolitan's Best Newcomer 

I am also currently running a giveaway to win a Benefit Gift Set 

I'VE BEEN SHORTLISTED! | A THANK YOU

As I'm sure you're all aware, the Company Magazine Style Blogger Awards Shortlist went up yesterday. I was lucky enough to be shortlisted in the top ten blogs for the Best Personal Style Newcomers category! I remember these awards coming around last year before I had started blogging and having a look through the shortlists. Never did I expect a year later that my blog would be up there! It is totally surreal and so exciting. I am incredibly grateful to everyone who voted for me!
I am over the moon to be shortlisted, but if you'd like to nominate me to win, please vote my blog in the Best Newcomer category here. If you don't want to vote in the rest of the categories, simply skip through and enter your e-mail address at the end.
The Cosmopolitan Blog Awards are also running this month, and I would love for you to nominate me for Next's Best Newcomer, too! Only if you think I deserve it, of course.

Thank you so much to everyone who voted. If you vote again in either of these categories please let me know so I can thank you! If you're running for an award feel free to let me know too, I'd love to help support you.

Lydia Rose,

xoxo
Don't forget to enter my giveaway

#DESTINATIONUNKNOWN | BANK COMPETITION ENTRY

* THIS IS AN ENTRY FOR BANK'S DESTINATION UNKNOWN COMPETITION * 

It's that time of year where my Tumblr dash is on overdrive with LA girls in flower crowns and reblog after reblog of Vanessa Hudgens. Yep, we're approaching festival season. Suddenly dressing like a 70s reject (like I do, most days) becomes socially acceptable and every girl on the planet decides to adorn a bindi. If you haven't guessed, "Festival Fashion" edits gets me simultaneously eye-rolling over 'grunge chic' and 'boho babe' cliches all whilst desperately wishing I was at Coachella. It's addictive.

Glastonbury was my initiation into the festival world at just 11 years old. Pink butterflies painted on my face, I felt one step away from Stevie Nicks dancing in my boho maxi skirt. I also got sunburnt to a crisp. Scarlet tan lines were perfect warrior wounds to prove to my school friends that I'd spent the weekend hanging out with hippies. And totally adopted their mode de vie. Peace man, etc.

Then Leeds Festival. 18, staying up all night, getting to watch my favourite bands. In between eating too much pizza and moshing away, we made life-long, magical memories. We wrote 'PUSSY RIOT' across our knuckles and got into various feminist protests. One ended up with a best friend in a fist-fight. All in the name of our feminist heroes, of course.

But where do clothes fit in with the magic of festivals? We all know that living life through an Instagram filter can be disenchanting. You have to find that mid-ground.  How many girls at Coachella were clearly more focused on getting that perfect outfit post over experiencing the magic in front of them? I mean, come on, platforms are just impractical.

I'm not saying I wasn't armed with my disposable ready to capture memories. Or that I didn't dribble over the Mink Pink dresses. But if you're there just to get street-styled, you're not going to have fun. By day 2, you will be a dirty, damp, dry-shampooed matted mess. It's part of the festival charm.

Festivals are an opportunity to let go of all your inhibitions and wear whatever you want.  If that means being that person raving in a chicken suit, there's room for that. But let's be honest, most people are too drunk to care.

My favourite festival style is laid-back and effortlessly stylish. T-shirt dresses, head chains and fringed kimonos. Festivals are the time to be care-free; to turn off your iPhone, to experience the now.  So, if I won Bank's insane #DestinationUnknown competition and got to go to 3 amazing European festivals this summer, these are the outfits I'd do it in....

Kimono | Bag | Sandals | Sunflower Dress | Palm Playsuit | Sunglasses | Palazzo Pants 

Bank is your the go-to destination for festival wear and even stocks brands from Motel to Lavish Alice. My ultimate festival piece would definitely be the fringed kimono, perfect for working your inner Stevie Nicks magic. I would style the sunflower dress with a messy bun and red lipstick whilst hiding my tired eyes behind chunky sunglasses for a laid-back festival look. Finally, palazzo pants are perfect for hanging out around the camp fire when you're not knee deep in mud watching bands.

What will you be wearing this festival season? Do you have any funny festival memories or thoughts on Coachella fashion? 

Lydia Rose,

xoxo

P.S As you may have seen, I have been shortlisted in the Company Magazine Style Blogger Awards! Thank you to everyone who voted. Please vote for my blog as 'Best Personal Style - Newcomer' here 

If you think I deserve it, please nominate my blog for Cosmo's Best Newcomer here. 

And don't forget to enter my giveaway!  

What I Wore: Primadonna Girl

Dress - Fashion Union * | Mesh Top (worn underneath) - Topshop | Shoes - Jeffrey Campbell Soirees via Motel | Hat - H&M| Bag- vintage 

There's something about spring which is making me want to experiment. This means wearing colour. Suddenly my wardrobe is popping with blues and pinks for the first time... Ever. I love it! I saw this biker dress and just couldn't resist. I tend to stay away from shift-dress type cuts. But the sharp collar and zip detailing made this tough enough for me. Paired with my studded JC's, we're good to go. 

I'm currently up to my eyeballs and revision. The end of summer term cannot come soon enough. I'm feeling slightly anxious about work experience placements and still dreaming about getting an internship with Company (sigh). Hopefully something is going to pop up within the next month! 

As I'm sure you're all aware the Cosmopolitan blog awards are open and it would mean the world if you could spare a moment to nominate me as Best Newcomer here! The award is sponsored by Next so it will take you to their site rather than Cosmopolitan's. If you vote, please let me know so I can thank you! Also I'm currently running a giveaway so make sure to enter that here.

Would you wear this dress? What are you wearing this Spring?

Lydia Rose,

xoxo

♥ COSMOPOLITAN BLOG AWARDS: BEST NEWCOMER? ♥

This time last year I was falling more and more in love with blogs. I wanted to set up my own little space on the internet so badly but just couldn't get the confidence to start. I was thinking, will anyone read it? Am I interesting enough? Why would anyone be interested in what I have to say?
I finally got it together and wrote my first post in August and haven't looked back since. Starting up my blog in the summer of 2013, I was incredibly down on myself. My first year at uni wasn't what I wanted it to be, I felt demotivated, uninspired and generally unhappy with the direction of my life. I wanted to be a journalist but had no experience whatsoever. Besides good grades, I was doing nothing productive with my life and was pretty miserable.
A blog gives you something to show for yourself, something to productively pour yourself into and offers an amazing way to engage with people. It has become a lot more than a shiny addition to my CV or merely a hobby. Having a positive outlet has worked wonders for my confidence and has made me so much happier. It is such a privilege to have people reading your posts and sharing things with you along the way. The blogging community has been so welcoming and supportive; I feel part of an amazing girl gang who motivate me to be the best I can be.
Safe to say, if you told me this time last year that I'd be writing to over 1,500 people, I wouldn't have believed it. Numbers aren't everything; that figure might mean a lot or nothing to some. But I am so humbled by how much my blog has grown in a short period.
Ramblings aside, it would literally mean the world if you nominated my blog for a Best Newcomer award. If you enjoy reading my blog and think it's deserved, please nominate here. '(Best Newcomer' is supported by Next so will redirect you to their site). I didn't feel my blog necessarily fell in with the category of 'Best New Beauty Blog', as my posts aren't all beauty focused, but if you think it does you can also nominate me in that category here.

If you stick in a nomination, thank you so so much, and thank you for reading and supporting my blog!

Lydia Rose,

xoxo 

ps. don't forget to enter my giveaway to win a Benefit gift set here