The Importance of Good Makeup Brushes

Hello Ladies

I've done countless posts in the past on makeup, but less so on the tools for actually applying it. It really is like an artist having fantastic paints to work with and then using his finger to paint the picture.  There's nothing wrong with using your finger, but you will never get the precision or the blending that you can with a good makeup brush.

When it comes to eye makeup brushes, it definitely helps to have a couple as they do have different uses.  You don't have to have hundreds, but 2 or 3 good ones will definitely work wonders for you.  It will save you time as they will hold the pigment and apply it well and secondly it will make it easier as its designed for the job.  Oh and lastly, you won't get musky fingers.

I recommend these three to start you off with:

1. Great for applying powder eyeliner and doing eyebrows as it is precise and angled: MAC Angled Brush 266
2. Great for generally applying eyeshadow (please don't use those gross free sponge ones that come with even the most expensive shadows: MAC 239 Eye Shader Brush
3. For blending, this is fab, just feather around the outer parts of your shadow so it blends in nicely: MAC 217 Blending Brush

I know they're pricey - around the £20-£30 mark but think how much you spend on eyeshadows, it really is worth having a couple of good tools to apply them with otherwise your stunning shadows are getting wasted.

It really will make applying eye makeup so much easier.  The number of girls I know who don't wear eyeshadow as they're scared / don't know how to put it on.  All I can say is, with a good brush, it will become so much easier! Trust me!

Lots of Love, 

Fiocco xxx

Poker Cup in Montreal

Hello there!

As you know I've been feeling the whole 'Las Vegas' vibe recently and the idea of playing the slot machines and winning at the tables in those impressive hotels.  And I think the reason I've got into it recently is because of absolutely loving Victoria Coren Mitchel.

Being one of the only successful female poker players and being incredible on "Have I Got News for You",  basically ended up with me watching PokerStars Canada Poker Cup final in Montreal.  I'm telling you, it's way more gripping than the Housewives of New Jersey!

Somehow, they had one of the craziest endings - after nine hours of full on playing everything just ended really abruptly.  I mean, in just a few minutes the whole tournament was over and won.  All the players decided to go all-in with their poker hand. Check it out and you'll see what I'm talking about.

 I swear, even if you don't know much about poker you will be absolutely gripped by that last game.  Oh, and the guy who won, Robert Notkin, ended up with $354, 379 in his pocket after qualifying with just $30.  Talk about hitting the jackpot!

Anyway, this has pretty much just inspired me to become the next Victoria Coren Mitchell ....I'm sure it's possible.... right (although I'm lacking her wit and charisma)!? I mean, hey, all you need is just $30 to participate!

Anyways, I hope you enjoyed watching the video, I know that I certainly did!

Lots of love!

This post is sponsored by Spreaditfast

Nu Skin bloggers event

 Good Morning!

I went to a fabulous beauty bloggers event ran by Nu Skin last week in Soho, London.  They had branded taxis which picked us up personally which really gave an exclusive feel to the event and made a nice change to getting the tube!

Nu Skin is a skin care brand which specialises in anti-ageing, nutritionals and weight management. They've been taking the UK by storm this year and have celebrated with an exclusive bloggers event.

I was so interested in their product range I couldn't wait to hear more and was super excited by my exclusive gift bag.  They even had their team fly over from Copenhagen to run the event, including the product specialist Jennifer who went to great lengths to make sure we knew all about their products as well as their Force for Good Foundation.  I really felt like I got to know the company and their products before trying  them out.

The beautifully set up Nu Skin centre

Me chatting to one of the other bloggers, Zen.

Getting stuck in with the Galvanic Spa

It was a really interactive event, and they got all the bloggers to try out their home spa called the Galvanic Spa.  As you can see in the picture above I was really getting stuck into the whole thing.  I mean, if this really is the 'home' answer to getting a facial done then I was keen on trying it out for myself!

The Nu Skin Galvanic Spa (link) is a sleek little machine which is used with charged gels, a pre treatment and a treatment.  The whole treatment takes just 5 minutes which is a huge amount of time saved compared to booking and going out for a facial.

The Nu Skin Galvanic Spa

My skin felt so clean and pure after using it.  It reduced all my redness giving my face a more even skin tone.  Also, my pores looked much smaller which has always been a huge concern of mine!

Oh, and they also have a delicious botanical range called Epoch.  I was absolutely smitten with the Baobab Body butter (link).  It is so hydrating but doesn't leave any sticky feeling at all.  It's also much denser than other body butters, giving it a much more luxurious feel when applying.  The foot softening cream 'Sole Solution' is also absolutely fab after a long day in the office and refreshes those aching feet while making them much smoother.

The Nu Skin Epoch collection

I would definitely recommend these Nu Skin products and over all I had an absolutely fab time at their bloggers event, especially getting whisked off in one of their taxis at the end of the night too!

Have you guys tried Nu Skin products??

If you have then definitely let me know!

xxx 

ps All products are available online from www.nuskin.com or from a registered distributor.

Dream Night Out at the Aria hotel in Las Vegas

I go away to Italy about 4-5 times a year, but unfortunately, it's left little room for me to travel elsewhere.

Recently, it seems lots of people close to me (my sister and best friend) are both going to Las Vegas later in the year.  I've been hearing so much about it that I decided to take a visot there too - to the stunning Aria hotel. 

I was tempted by their famously gorgeous views and spend my day tanning by one of the luxurious pools and of course have an absolutely amazing night out!

The Aria Resort

Las Vegas is the cream of the crop when it comes to over the top, extravagant hotels, and I can't think of anything better! I loved staying in the Aria hotel with it's breath taking views of the skyline. It was just sensational, luxurious and the perfect place to stay in Las Vegas!

I think Las Vegas is all about glam,- so whilst there I went for a night out Aria style!I went for glam makeup - gray contacts like in the picture below, glossy hair, smooth complexion and lashings of lipgloss and mascara.  It made me feel exactly at home in the Aria resort :)

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Glam Makeup perfect for Las Vegas!

During the day I would just kick back and enjoy the beautiful weather in the famous Liquid pool. It's not just about gorgeous double sun-loungers, at night time the Liquid pool transforms into a party playground, with music in the background and drinks flowing. I literally cannot imagine anything better than a pool part night out in Las Vegas - hopefully I will have time tomorrow.  London is great, but that would never be on the cards!

The Liquid pool at the Aria Resort Las Vegas

Jean Phillipe patisserie

Oh and to top it off, they have a killer patisserie within the resort, called the Jean Phillipe patisserie.  I'm getting hungry just looking at it!  Now that's enough of me fantasizing about the Aria resort, I should probably start looking in to coming back next year!

(Aria Resort Link here)

Lots of love xx

Amalfi Coast OOTD

Good morning!

It's really hard to describe a place like the Amalfi Coast, as I'll never do it any justice.  So here are a few snapshots of it's beauty.  We drove all the way down the coast for  several hundred miles, and it was pretty much all like the shot below - deep blue sees, green mountains and pink flowers.

Travelling I like to be as comfortable as possible, especially when we were driving for so long.  So I just wore trusty old denim shorts with this cute little 'Elland Vest' from Jack Wills. It's now in the sale too for just £14.00 - an absolute bargain as it's a top which goes with everything.  I then just matched with with some nude gap leather flipflops

I have a bit of an all blue OOTD, but whenever I'm by the sea, I always find myself wearing colours which mirror the sea! Weird I know, but I absolutely love it. This casual outfit was perfect for keeping me cool and comfortable and yet great too for casual trips to the beach, bars and restaurants.  Speaking of which - if you find yourself down towards the Amalfi coast, make sure you try the pizza 'Sorrentino' which uses fresh buffalo mozzerella, pendolini tomatoes and tonnes of basil.  You won't regret it I promise!

So that's it for now - I hope I've given you a bit of inspiration to go on a road trip round the Amalfi Coast too.  I know I can't wait to get back!

Lots of love xx

Moschino Bikini in Sorrento

Hello my lovlies!

As you might know I was away in Italy for a lot of last month.  My other half and I drove down from Cattolica all the way to Sorrento.

I really don't know I have ever been anywhere so beautiful in my life.  Crystal blue waters and mount Vesuvius in the backdrop!  These pictures were taken from Cala di Puolo - a lovely cover just a few minutes drive from Sorrento.  There was barely anyone there and the view was just breathtaking.

Moschino polka dot bikini from Zalando

I treated myself to a pretty Moschino polka dot bikini from Zalando  I loved the bandeaux style as I find it more flattering than triangle bikinis and I love the little halter neck tie as well.  Its priced at £135 but I think it's well worth the money as I really felt extra special in it.

It's a fun design but at the same time elegant enough for Sorrento! (My bright pink and yellow ones seemed a bit brash for this holiday haha!)  It has an almost silky touch and is made of an almost satin like material on the outside which makes a difference to most swimwear.  I love that that this gave a silky shimmer to the cream shade and added a touch of quality.

Have you guys every been to Sorrento?  Did you enjoy it?? I'll be posting a few more pictures from my trip there over the next few days - I'm sure I'll convince you all to go!

Fiocco xxxx

OOTD in Sorrento

 Hello lovely ladies,

It's hot hot hot and frankly, I couldn't be happier!  I love when the sun is out creating beautiful sunsets and you can go out at night and enjoy the cool air.  It reminds me of the holiday I just got back from in Sorrento so this is n OOTD which can be recreated here in our glorious British weather that we're having at the moment.

Clothes - I wore a Zara white long sleeve top with transparent shoulder panels (it is super thin though so perfect for the evening) with a dark blue zara pleated mini skirt.

Makeup -  I had a tan so foundation was out the door as a colour match with a tan is near impossible and paramount to sacrilegious! So instead I just put on powder to minimise the shine, bright fuschia YSL lipgloss and lashings of mascara.

Hair - Super straight with Label M age defying radiance oil.  I can't live without this oil - it is non greasy and does an amazing job at minimising frizz and making it smell delicious. It retails at £25.50 - this is pricey but I would definitely say its worth it.

It looks like I'm wearing old school 10 denier tights but this is my tan, can you believe it!

So that was my OOTD - I felt sleek and sophisticated in this outfit and absolutely perfect for an evening out on the Amalfi coast.  Italians always nail their outfits and I tried not to be the garish brit abroad with florescent shorts ( I saved those for the beach - you'll be getting a peak of them soon!)