The Leather Jacket

For years now, a leather jacket has been a staple item for my wardrobe, especially in the Autumn and end of Winter. I'd worn the same one for a couple of years now, just a plain black style with silver zips and detailing from New Look. However, this year I fancied a change as mine was looking a bit worn down!

I'd done a bit of research online, trying to find the perfect style and a good 'petite' size as I don't like mine to be too long. I then stumbled across this one from Miss Selfridge and completely fell in love.

I love that there is so much faux fur around this season and I think this was mostly what drew me to this jacket. I also managed to get it in a petite version, which wasn't as tight on the arms as I thought it would be and still left some room for extra layers. I love the detailing on this as well, I think the gold makes it look a bit more expensive and looks a lot nicer than the silver zips. The fur is detachable too, which is great for when you want something really casual.

I'm definitely going to be wearing this non-stop until it gets too cold!

What staple piece do you love for this time of year?

Love Hope xxx

Soap and Glory Skincare Series - 2 - The Fab Pore Moisture Lotion

The second edition to my little Soap and Glory skincare review series sees me trying out the 'Fab Pore Moisturiser'. Such as with the facial wash, I've been trying this for a little while now, incorporating it into my daily skincare routine. 

I picked this moisturiser as I have combination skin and wanted to see if it would work to minimise pores and control that troublesome t-zone and I'm glad to say I definitely noticed a difference! 

Within the first few weeks of using it, my skin did feel a bit better. My skin was more soft and even a bit brighter. I noticed when I swapped it for a tinted moisturiser in the mornings that I was having a lot more breakouts and getting dry patches, but as soon as I switched back it was a lot more manageable. I'm not sure it controls the oils in my t-zone as such, but it has helped minimise pores slightly.

As the weather's getting colder, it's still keeping up its duties, although I am finding that the change in the weather is meaning that I have a lot more troublesome dry patches so I may need to start using something a bit stronger overnight, but I'll definitely be keeping this one in the routine in the morning!

Do you have any skincare recommendations I should try out?

Love Hope xxx

Soap and Glory Skincare Series - Facial Wash

So recently I decided to start a little series for my blog of a brand that I absolutely love! I have always had quite troublesome skin (as many teenagers find) and am extremely strict with myself when it comes to skincare. No matter what, I will always remove all my make up at night, cleanse my face (not with a facial wipe either) and moisturise without fail. However, like many people, I still strive for that perfect, blemish free skin and am always eager to try new things. 

Soap and Glory has become one of my favourite make up and body and bath brands over the years and from the get go of them being in Boots I fell in love with pretty much everything they bring out.  Quite conveniently a couple months ago, I was just coming to the end of my facial wash and wanted a new one, so popped into Boots and picked up this 'Face Soap and Clarity 3-IN-1 Daily Detox Vitamin C Facial Wash'.

This facial wash is really lovely, it feels and smells really fresh and does leave your skin feeling really clear even when you've had a full face of make up on all day. It has tiny 'scrub beads' which gently exfoliate and get rid of any dead skin. The first time I used this it did feel slightly odd as I had used the Liz Earle Hot Cloth cleanse and polish for a while, however for only £8.00 (and also normally either on 3 for 2 or special offer) you can't really go wrong. The 150ml bottle has also lasted me about a month or more using it both morning and evening every day so well worth the price and more!

I'd always rather spend a bit extra on skincare as in the long run it means you would hopefully not have to wear as much make up. I'd definitely recommend giving this a go if you want a bit of a change up in your skincare routine (as long as you check it fits your skin type which it should hopefully do most) and want to try something new!

Let me know if you like this little series or if you have any skincare products you really like?

Love Hope xxx

Packing for Holiday - My Travel Make Up Essentials

Following my post on Tuesday of the toiletries that I take on holiday, I thought I would do one on the make up I like to take when I travel too. Here are a few of the bits I took with me this year...

• Benefit Porefessional Primer - My absolute favourite primer ever!
• Garnier Skin Perfector Daily All-In-One BB Cream - I used this in the evenings for a bit of coverage that still lets skin shine through and was really natural looking
• Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer in 'Warm Medium' - For those sneaky blemishes, I only really used a little of this in the evenings instead of foundation
• Soap and Glory Kick Ass Concealer 3 Piece Camouflage Kit - I like to use this under the eyes as its got a peachy tone and yellow tone to cancel out those dark circles, the setting powder is great too!
• Soap and Glory One Heck of a Blot Translucent Mattifying Powder - As I have combination skin, I always need a good powder to keep away that shine. I tried this one out on holiday and really liked it!
• Sleek Contour Kit in 'Medium' - As both a bronzer and highlighter, this is great for travelling and really showing off that glowing tanned skin! 
• Benefit Rockateur Blush - A staple in my make up bag, I wore this everyday on holiday!
• Soap and Glory Archery Brow Tint and Precision Pencil - Eyebrows are very important to me! This pen/pencil is great at keeping them looking natural but also perfect!
• Soap and Glory Supercat Black Eyeliner Pen - My favourite liquid eyeliner at the moment, it's really easy to apply and hasn't dried out despite me having it for months now
• Urban Decay Naked Palette - A go to palette for holidays, with gorgeous golden and champagne colours, this is all you could want for an evening eye shadow that takes seconds.
• Benefit They're Real Mascara - Another favourite of mine, I couldn't be without it!
• Soap and Glory Sexy Mother Pucker Gloss Stick in 'Nudist' - I've repurchased this so many times I may as well just have a standing order. This is my favourite nude lipstick and such a lovely formula
• Maybelline Color Sensational Vivids Lipstick in 'Neon Red' - This bright red lipstick is probably my favourite one in my whole collection and looks great with a tan!
• Natural Collection Mango and Papaya Lip gloss - I've been buying this lip gloss since I was about 11 and will forever, it's just a clear lip gloss that feels really nice on the lips and both smells and tastes amazing, what more could you want?

These are just a few of the main bits I took on holiday with me this year. I also took some extra lip products (as I said before I am a major over packer) and also took my Benefit Hoola bronzer, a set of Sleek blushers just in case and a few other bits and bobs.

What make up items do you take on holiday with you? Is there anything you couldn't live without?

Love Hope xxx