Katy Perry inspired make-up look

Ever since I stepped out of seeing her concert film in the cinema, feeling absolutely devastated that I was in fact, not Katy Perry, I have vowed that I would see her on her next tour.  

So before Christmas I bought tickets for Katy Perry's Prismatic Tour in Glasgow. Excited doesn't cover it.

Today, I decided to do a Katy-inspired look to pay homage to this glorious woman! 

         

 

While she has gone back to black hair and has been rocking dark purples and reds make-up wise lately, I have always thought Katy looks best when she keeps things a bit more natural (like in the FLAWLESS image above). 

The look I went for today isn't too daring but the dramatic liner and lashes amp up the drama sufficiently for a night out look. You can always turn up the heat further with a more dramatic lipstick. 

This look needs a nice dewy base so I started with some NARS illuminator in Copacabana (borrowed from my sister, but I think I shall have to make a purchase) on the areas of the face that would catch the light. I used Rimmel Wake Me Up foundation, a great little high street base, that has great light reflecting properties and gives a great glow. I used the palest colour, 100 Ivory, because I am a ghost.  

I filled my brows in a bit more than usual (they're a bit big and unruly, Delevingne-style) to try and look a bit more groomed! I kept my eyeshadow simple using just a MAC mineralize eyeshadow duo in "until dawn" from their A/W '13 collection and let the focus be on heavy eyeliner and dramatic lashes. 

I went for a finer strip lash because even though I do have big eyes like Katy, I find thick lashes can cast too much of a shadow over my eyes. My pink blush was swept over the cheekbones rather than the apples of my cheeks.

I brightened my eyes with some white liner on my water line and the inner corners. I am obsessed with lip crayons and this one is one of my favourites; Bourjois Colour Boost in Red Sunrise. Of course to moisturise and prep my lips I used Katy's favourite.....

I loved this make-up; it made me feel incredibly girly. The next Katy look I'll be trying is from her "Waking up in Vegas" video. I am hoping I can pull this off (outfit included) when I go see her live as the best dressed get to meet her!!!!!!!!!!! Arghhhhh.  Can you imagine?! I can't even deal. 

                                           Stay classy, 

                                           Derve Xx

                                    

OOTN inspired by Louis Vuitton

One of my favourite A/W shows this year was the Louis Vuitton show with the glorious Marc Jacobs at the helm. I remember a few years ago when underwear as outerwear was a huge trend but being a bit too young at the time, I steered clear! 

This year, when I saw Jacob's lingerie-clad, dishevelled, morning-after muses walk the runway I was excited to finally try out the trend. I don't usually go for a conventionally "sexy look" on a night out and the prospect of emmulating one of these looks was a bit daunting. I found the idea of rolling out of bed after some salacious rendez-vous the night before, throwing on an overcoat and bravely strutting home sexy and daring but only those with a devil-may-care attitude and some serioulsy smokey eyes need apply. 

I found this PERFECT immitation dress of the one above in Zara at a bargain of €39.99. It was lust at first sight. This can be a difficult look to keep classy rather than trashy so I grunged it up with some tough girl boots and heavy metals, faux nosering included. More Girl with the Dragon Tattoo than tramp stamp.

Dress:  Zara

Cardigan: Primark/Penneys

Boots: Primark/Penneys

In case you need any more encouragement check out two of my favourite ladies nailing this trend; my beloved Kate Moss and Victoria Beckham. VB posed in this glorious LV dress on the cover of Australian Vogue but was even ballsy enough to rock it for daytime at Wimbledon!

So if you are looking for something to turn up the heat during the Christmas party season, why not go for something a little less pretty, a little more provocative? Ditch the sequins and don the lace and maybe the night before your morning after will be a little more exciting....

Stay classy, 

   Derve Xxx

Style Steal- Givenchy vs. Primark

Despite his beautiful creations at the helm at Dior, Raf Simons was no longer the talk of the A/W collections. Yes, there's a new man in town and nobody was more surprised than me to find it was the doe-eyed, bockety-legged Bambi. 

This little guy was the star of Givenchy's collection and their bambi-emblazoned sweatshirts and handbags have become some of the most sought after pieces of the season. This little deer has quite the celebrity following from Amanda Seyfried to Lily Collins and the uber stylish Carine Roitfield who even rocked it at this years Met Gala.

Now this arty little number will set you back €850 on netaporter.com, which is €850 I do not have. However, I picked up this adorable little copy in Penneys/Primark for only €12. Style steal indeed!

Will you be donning any Disney stars this season?

Stay classy,

    Derve Xx

FOTD inspired by Kylie Jenner

I loved this make-up on Kylie and thought I'd try something similar as a more va-va-voom look for daytime. I used mainly highstreet brands, (including a gem of a Natural Collection eyeshadow I found lurking at the bottom of my make-up bag) to show that a celeb look doesn't have to have the accompanying price tag! 

Although I think I'd have to pay a doctor good money to get those luscious lips of hers.

 Base- Revlon Photoready Reflecting Primer in 001

Foundation- Bourjois Healthy Mix in 052

Contouring- Catrice Camouflage Cream in 020 and Rimmel Sun Shimmer Bronzing Powder in medium

Highlights- Catrice Prime and Fine Highlighting Powder in 010 Fairy Dust

Brows- Filled in with Benefit Brows a-go-go

Eyes- Lid: Natural Collection Eyeshadow in Golden Sand

Crease: Snakebite from UD Naked 2 Palette

Liquid Liner: Collection 2000 Felt Tip Liner

Liner Pencil: Bourjois Kohl & Contour in 02 Gris Ingéieux

Lips- 17 Berry Crush Lip Stain in Cherry Berry

All applied using Real Techniques Brushes

Striped jersey top is from Zara.

Have you been inspired by any celebrity make-up lately? 

Stay classy, 

   Derve Xx

OOTD ft. River Island and Penneys

Mixing textures is one of my favourite parts of Autumn/Winter dressing. I fell in love with this jumper in Penneys mainly because "it's so fluffy I'm gonna die!". I teamed it with this embossed silver scuba skirt from River Island for quite a luxe day look. The only area I managed to restrain myself in was the footwear department with these trendy little loafers.

Looking forward to teaming this skirt with a silky blouse and some barely there's for night time!

Outfit: 

Jumper-Penneys/Primark

Skirt- River Island (on sale!)

Loafers- River Island

Necklace- H&M

Face:

Foundation- Bourjois Healthy Mix in shade 52

Eyes- Foxy, Chopper & Snakebite from UD Naked 2 palette

Mascara- Lancome Hypnôse Doll Eyes

Lips- 17 Supreme Shine Lipstick in Pink Posey

Nails:

Barry M Gelly Shine in Greenberry

What do you think? Do you like mixing different textures?

Stay classy, 

         Derve xx

Face of the Day with Catrice Cosmetics

I have heard many great things about Catrice Cosmetics lately; online, in magazines and from friends. Unfortunately I know the torture of being paid monthly and have usually blown my wages by week 2. However, this month, I had enough leftover to splurge on some new products for my now bulging make up bag. 

The first product I tried was the brand's Camouflage Cream in 020 Light Beige; a cute little pot of cream-based concealer. I have quite dry sky and have a problem with concealers drying out spots further and making them even more flaky and unsightly. The day I tried these products I had quite a bad breakout around my chin and on my forehead so had my doubts whether anything could keep it under wraps! This little gem blended really easily and covered my blemishes nicely. It lasted almost all day, with only the worst areas needing a quick touch up- not bad for €3.49!

In conjunction with their little Camo Cream, I tried Catrice's 6-in-1 BB Cream. This came highly recommended from my best friend; a foundation fiend who will only settle for the best coverage! While I generally like quite a light coverage, I am wary of BB creams as I have tried some in the past with horrific results (Garnier's BB Cream was easily the worst thing to ever have come in contact with my face). This blended really well and gave a great coverage even when applied with my fingers. It drys instantly and doesn't feel heavy at all, something I find with even my favourite foundation. It gave my skin a natural healthy glow and left it feeling soft and moisturised. It also offers SPF 30 protection; essential whatever time of year. I chose number 030 in nude beige but will probably need the shade below as we progress into autumn and I revert to my pasty self! No matter, at only €6.49, I think my budget can stretch to another tube!

I used the Catrice Highlighting Powder in 010 Fairy Dust; one of the products in their Prime and Fine collection. I wanted this to be a very quick and simple make-up look as I generally hate to look overly "done", especially for daytime. I swept this on my upper cheekbones and on my brow bones just to give them a little lift. This product suited my skin tone as it wasn't too pink like some highlighters can be (Highbeam I'm looking at you!). I prefer highlighters to have more peachy than pink tones and this had a gentle shimmer rather than a thick glitter. This product was great value at only €4.99 and will be useful for every make-up look.

Warm, natural tones

Finally, I tried the Pure Shine Colour Lip Balm in 050 Cherry-ty. I have been on the hunt for a Chubby Stick copy as the Clinique original is a bit out of my price range. This was very competitively priced at only €5.49; a bargain for any lip product. I'm usually a lip stain or lipstick kind of girl, avoiding lip gloss or anything sticky (nothing worse than your hair getting glued to your lips). This has more of a smooth buttery texture and glides on easily. It gives a glossy shine rather than a sticky, wet look and I was pleasantly surprised by its staying power. I was expecting to have to continually reapply but while the shine may wear off through talking, drinking, eating etc, the lovely pinkish tint remained for about 4-5 hours. Lately, I have also tried making the colour a little punchier by beginning with some Benetint on my lips before slicking on this balm-it works a treat! I will definitely be purchasing more shades of this product, especially that cheeky little red one I have my eye on! 

Benefit They're Real! Mascara used on lashes and brows filled in with powders from Benefit's Brows-a-go-go.

Swatch from L-R: 6-in-1 BB Cream, Camouflage Cream, Pure Shine Lip Balm and Prime and Fine Highlighting Powder   

I forsee Catrice Cosmetics becoming a firm fixture in my make-up bag. I love using a few effective products to create a healthy, natural look. These really fit the bill and at such a great price too.

Stay classy, 

               Derve xxx