Mac – Bonita Valli

Plastic

Since the start of the year, I’ve put zero effort into my physical appearance. Make-Up routines have become a distant memory, my heels have accumulated dust of varying degrees and my hair has been somewhat neglected, neatly hidden between braids or Senegalese twists.

Between my Mum, Wura and Gbonju, I experienced an unsequenced, well articulated ‘intervention’. I didn’t make any promises, but I did resolve to ‘do better’ more consistently.

Heels would ordinarily have been my first step towards my ‘come back’ but given that I walk up four flights of stairs every morning, I passed on that struggle (thank you very much)! The other option was Make-Up.

My Make-Up is pretty basic, so this shouldn’t be much of a problem, right? Wrong! My biggest issue has been an oil defying, sweat resistant (I’m actually not kidding) PRIMER. At the end of every day, I find that a considerable amount of my oily skin disintegrates my LA Girl HD, boils through my MAC NW45 and my Make-Up in general starts to slip right off my face. Once or twice, I’ve tried to psyche myself into thinking it’s a ‘dewy look’ but it’s not. Ladies, I need your help!

I’ve read bareMinerals is pretty decent (it’s made with natural ingredients)…

Image result for bareminerals prime time primer — Source: bareMinerals.co.uk

But I had a conversation with Wura last night and she pretty much swore by Becca Ever-Matte Primer…

Image result for becca ever matte primer — Source: Sephora Australia

Any suggestions? Maybe I should take this to the Insta-polls…?

Meanwhile, I think this has been one of my best Make-Up looks all YEAR…. AND it’s a picture of myself that I actually like, so I’m just going to drop. this. right. here.

cropped-kf123-e1528444372531

xXx

Ps: Can I be Victoria Beckham for a day? LOVE that lady! Need to get my hands on a copy of October’s Vogue (my birthday month, whoop!)

Pps: A holiday is much needed. I’m still keen on seeing the world

Pps: What do you think of the heading ‘Plastic’? I kinda like it.

The Midas Touch

The V Label Maida dress is one of my favourites. It’s ironic because when I first received it, I was mad with anger. Let me give you a bit of a background on our turbulent history…

It was about 10:00am on a Saturday morning when my dress first arrived. Beaming with excitement, I tore open the plastic bag wrapping and lo and behold:

Issue 1: I was blinded by the golden shimmer; and

Issue 2: I was appalled by the size. You see the dress fit like a 12 except I’d ordered a 6.

As I tipped over the edge about to explode in a hissy fit, my Mum offered her sewing machine to take in the gaping sides. More often that not, I’m melodramatic, but what do you expect when there’s a wedding in 2 hours and your only option is two times your size?

Fast forward to the following Summer and I’ve worn the V Label Maida three times and I’m still receiving compliments. Because of her golden shimmer and the endless compliments, I call her “The Maidas touch”. Below are the benefits of The Maidas Touch:

Benefit 1: I never need more than dainty earrings and an expensive bracelet to accessorize her, she does all the work.

Benefit 2: She’s so comfortable it’s surreal!

Benefit 3: The decent length is fit for a wedding with my Dad but mini lining is the ultimate flirt for a wedding with the MR.

Below are pictures of The Maidas Touch, what do you think?

Photo Credit: Tadera Studios (aka Taiwo) LOL. The photo was taken at about 9pm though. I need to remember to take photos before the event rather than after *sigh*

xXx

Ps: The Maidas touch also looks fantastic with coloured shoes.

PPs: My shoes are courtesy of my boo boo Ilobe 🙂

PPPs: I did my make-up myself (I’m improving… trust me), but Wura highlighted which was kinda cool. I might be highlighting some more going forward. LOL

Lipstick Love

I’m not big on makeup. Never really have been, but recently, I’ve taken a real liking to the art and would like to believe that I’ve significantly upped my game!! My first love will always be deep, dark, sultry eyeliner but recently I’ve been adulterous and toyed with lipstick and even flirted with foundation. My love affair with the latter is very new and still requires a lot of work, but the real focus of this post is centered on the dynamic and seductive results achieved with lipstick.

My collection of lipsticks is pretty basic and easily broken down into 3 categories:

1. The Neutrals;

2. The Reds; and

3. The Berries.

The Neutrals: This includes MAC’s Modesty and MAC’s Shy Girl. Both are cremesheen and glide on to moisutrised lips with an effortless stroke. As the names suggest, these classic shades are incredibly humble. The kind of nudes that allow you to slip away just as Prince Charming catches a glimpse of that smile. The Cinderella effect if you like!

L-R: Cremesheen Modesty and Cremesheen Shy Girl

The Reds: Ever making a statement MAC’s Ruby Woo and Russian Red need no introduction. They are who they are, persuasive, intense and rich…. Fiery by nature! I must admit, the matte nature of these reds could be as detrimental as they are passionate and although both last for unimaginable hours, they dry out my lips leaving a chapped and hideous residue. I find that an intense exfoliation exercise needs to be carried out ahead of application.

L-R Matte Ruby Woo and Matte Russian Red

The Berries: These are my Prima Donnas! Need I say more? Diva is a matte finish but my all time favourite, Rebel is the perfect satin finish. She’s the right amount of edgy and announces herself upon arrival. Best of all, Rebel’s satin finish makes it easy to re-apply and goes with almost any skintone!

L-R: Matte Diva and Satin Rebel

You might have noticed that I was silent on my Topshop ‘Partition’ right at the back of my lipstick line. That’s because I’m still trying to figure it out. I’m not sure how long it lasts but I must say it’s an easy application.

Addicted to (MAC) lipsticks? Do tell!!!

xXx

Ps: Shout Out to Oyinkan (office intern aka APC!!!) for inspiring this post and stealing my Shy Girl!

Pps: Music Update!!! Currently addicted to Ellie Gouldings “Love Me Like You Do”, Ariana Grande’s “One Last Time” and MI’s “Mine” ft. WizKid.

Best Foot Forward

As with every Saturday in Lagos there was a wedding to attend on Saturday August 9. This Saturday was special though, it was Solape and Dipo’s wedding. I’ve known Solape since JS1 (year 7) and it just so happens that we also work on the same team in the office, so it goes without saying that we spend a lot of time together .

For the longest time, I couldn’t figure out what to wear and I wasn’t about to spend any more money on wedding season (Aso Ebi is so expensive)! So I sifted through my wardrobe and was lucky enough to re-discover my ROF monochrome maxi from the 2012 “Re-Belle” Collection. I’d only worn it once and it was begging for another showcase.

Below are pictures of Wura, Ilobe, Taiwo and I as we headed out to #SolaDipo2014, hope you like….

I love the Palm trees at the top of this picture. It makes you feel like you’re in an exotic country with perfect weather and beautiful views.

Wura in a Virgos Lounge skirt and locally made buba. I suspect she’s got MAC’s ‘Flat out Fabulous’ on. LOVE this pose!

Ilobe in a draped back maxi dress, Salvatore Ferragamo bag and brown loubs!!!!

Taiwo’s Iro and draped neck Buba material was sourced from one of my Mum’s trips to India! Her necklace was an Accessorize gift from one of my Besties, Bukky!

Republic of Foreigner 2012 “Re-Belle” Collection. Blue KG shoes for a pop of colour and a complementary fishtail braid.

xXx

Ps: I don’t have to explain the title “Best Foot Forward” do I? It’s kinda obvious….

Lip Exfoliation

You may remember about 2 blogs or so ago that I mentioned having started a routine of lip exfoliation. Well as promised, here is how I came about it, what I do and how I do it!

Ever so often, when my outfit/mood needs a bit of a(n) edge/boost, I smack on some daring red lipstick (Mac’s Ruby Woo or MUA lipstick shade 1; the irony lies in the pricing) which instantly serves as a fixer. However I have come to realise that chapped/dry lips underneath this alarmingly loud hue, results in a counter act, thereby deminishing the value of my outcome.

Well, every problem has a solution and below is a treatment my sister Wura once talked me through:

Step 1: Crush a couple of cubes of sugar in a bowl, the bigger the granules the better;

Step 2: Mix in some honey until you’re left with a gritty paste. I don’t use any particular proportions, I judge based on what looks equivalent to the sugar;

Step 3: Apply to the entire lip area in a circular motion until dead skin peels off;

Step 4: Rinse off with warm water (alternatively, just lick it off) and apply some Vaseline lip therapy (my latest obsession is the Pink Bubbly, thanks Gbonju).

Voila! DIY Lip Exfoliation in 4 easy steps! I guess I can brave the red lippie once again.

If you fancy going wild, apply food colouring to the mixture and dance around as you exfoliate. I also read that you can apply oil to the mixture for moisturising as you exfoliate, but I’m yet to try that out. In case you were wondering what oil to use, I suggest coconut oil!

Merry Christmas everyone *kisses*
xXx

Ps: Did you notice the Christmassy background? Thanks Taiwo, my trusty techie!

I simply remember my favourite things…

“Girls in white dresses with blue satin sashes,
Snowflakes that stay on my nose and eyelashes,
Silver white winters that melt into springs,
These are a few of my favourite things……” Maria ‘Sound of Music’

Call me weird (only if you must), but there are a few items I own that always seem to fix a smile on my face. Most of these consist of my bag contents and I’m beginning to wonder if it’s a subconscious act of carrying ‘a ray of sunshine’ with me wherever I go.

Vaseline ‘Creme Brule’: What can I say….. it’s Limited Edition!

L’Occitane cherry blossom hand cream: It’s my delicate heaven only it’s in a tube.

Mint Green Barry M nail polish: It draws a subtle type of attention, the kind I’m all about.

Gucci Guilty: That scent is a post for another day. It makes me smell like a million bucks!

Tea forte: Are you pronouncing it correctly? If you are you’ll have the smile I’m talking about…. the twinkle in your eye. *FYI I don’t even drink tea. Lol*

Primark across the body bag: It looks expensive, except it was only £6!!!!

Accessorize necklace: That necklace makes rags feel like gold.

MAC mascara: I ran out of mascara in December and my Mum got me this tube. It made my month!

xXx

Ps: I’m heart broken by the Dana plane crash of the 3rd of June, 2012. I cannot believe that planes still crash in 2012. RIP to those that lost their lives. May their souls rest in perfect peace.

“…Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither: the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.” Job 1:21

PPs: It’s the last day of my giveaway so enter NOW 🙂

Party Rock!!!!

Last Night was mad fun! I had friends over to celebrate my birthday and it was absolutely awesome! Initially, I was really worried that the torrential rain would deter my friends from making the effort, and even though it successfully discouraged some, the bulk of the people I’d invited made it and I was over the moon.

Below is my outfit post because I’ve decided not to veer from the focus of my blog (fashion, style and beauty) hope you like.

Blouse: TopShop

Boob tube: H&M

Bodycon: Warehouse

Powder: Mac NW 45

Blusher: Mac Desert Rose

Eyeliner: Lancôme

Nail polish: Nails Inc ‘The cocktail collection by Malibu’

xXx

Ps: My lens is a wide shot/angle lens so my pictures accommodate a lot. I’m planning on buying myself another lens for Christmas though so that should be exciting.

Pps: I hardly ever have my hair down, it gets in the way of my face and drives me mad. Lol

Ppps: I was barefoot half the night. Otherwise, I had on some lime green flipflops aka rubber slippers. Lol.