MAKEUP MASHUP WITH MAIA CREED FROM THE BEAUTY MESS

Big up to one of my Bestest Friends... ever, who goes by the name of Maia from The Beauty Mess. We go years back (I'm talking Year 5) and she's all kinds of awesome. When it comes to having a gossip, giggle and groove she's my first point of contact, but lemme tell ya, when it comes to beauty she knows her stuff. She's been around the Youtube / Blogging spaces for a while, but has recently set up her own little corner of the internet called The Beauty Mess. Serving up her menu of all things Beauty with a side order of Fashion, Food and Tips here and there, she's got it covered. But today she'll be givingg us a sneak peak into her everyday makeup bag so without further rado, over to you Maia... 

TOP 5 MAKEUP PICKS WITH EMMA GRIFFY

Today, we have a very special guest who goes by the name of Emma Griffy. She's kick ass at all things Beauty, Fashion and Youtube related. I've been a lover her little blog space for a long time and let's just say she's a huge enabler. From her eyeliner reccommendations to her fashion pieces... stunning. Her Youtube channel, well just perfection (*cough* check our her room tour *cough). So, I'm over the moon to announce that we're collaborating today to share our  Top 5 Makeup Picks. Without further ra-do, Emma, take it away...

THE ULTIMATE PAMPER KIT

I'm most definitely got the TGIF feeling despite the Bank Holiday monday this week has been so busy. This only calls for a good ole pamper, wind down and relax to take my mind off the endless amount of paperwork and meetings I've got jotted in for next week. Yawn. After many trialing and testing of body butters, face masks and all things chill, I've got a trusty kit which I always tend to go to every time I'm feeling the stress, oh the joys. 

BOBBI BROWN: NECTAR & NUDE EYESHADOW PALETTE

With those late nights, endless glasses of vino and a good boogie to a bit of Justin Timberlake over the weekend I'm sure that you're experiencing post Bank Holiday Weekend blues and an extreme case of tired eyes. So nothing quite better than a kick ass, easy smokey eye to wake us all up and give us that wide eyed look that we so wish came naturally on this groggy Tuesday. Notebooks, Purses and Makeup at the ready - let's see what Bobbi Brown has to offer us in her recent release. 

TINTIN' IT WITH BENEFIT

If you're a regular to these spaces, you'll know that I'm not really a big lip kinda gal. Don't get me wrong, I look after my lips with an endless stash of lip balms in hand I have no excuse not to. Just when it comes to bold lips, I just feel as though it just doesn't compliment my chubby cheeks and being a religious Smokey Eye wearer on a day to day basis, I feel as though it would be a little TOO much if you see what I mean. 

MY RECENT EYELINER DISCOVERY

Right, let's get to the point. I'm not the best at applying eyeliner, let alone rocking it when it even goes good. I've had many bad experiences with eyeliner, and I often feel that it makes my face look chubbier if I wear it too (alongside any form of too dark or too light eye makeup #firstworldproblems). But with a good eyeliner in hand, I've truly noticed the difference and I've actually (shock horror) been totally digging a lil addition of eyeliner to spice up my eye looks recently. 

CHEAT CHIC COMBO

For today's instalment of Wardrobe Wednesday, I thought there's nothing better than sharing a way to be cool for the hot weather but still looking and feeling chic. Now I'm no fashion expert, but I am for sure a regular to all the Fashion Corners of the Internet and Press world which means I'm pretty up to date with what's on trend (...kind of). And what is still (surprisingly) big in the fashion world at the moment is Statement Necklaces. 

PRODUCTS THAT DIDN'T MAKE THE CUT

Being a product junkie, I go through my fair share of products. Most of which I absolutely love, and others just don't quite make the cut. And unfortunately these were ones which didn't quite do it for me. Of course, they may still work for you and I'm aware a couple of these are well loved from the big shots in the Beauty Blogging / Youtube world, but for me personally I wouldn't recommend them! 

MY MINI PERFUME COLLECTION

For your dose of a Monday Pick Me Up post, of course, is on my capsule perfume collection. I've tripped, chucked and waves goodbye to some oldies and these 4 are the last ones standing. Now, just a heads up, I'm no perfume expert but with access to google, a freaking good cold free pair of nostrils and my fair share of perfume sniffing under my belt we'll see what happens. 

CHEEKBONES, CHOCOLATE AND CHEATS

It's that time again where we take a look at my recent loves, laughs and awesome discoveries from all different corners of the internet (and the food cupboard for this instalment... oh yeah baby). From all things cheekbones, blogging inspiration and snacking... I've got it covered. 

TESTING CHANEL

Nothing better than a cheeky Chanel post on a Friday, splurge! I'll admittedly completely new to the whole Chanel Makeup thang. With everyone from the likes of Fleur De Force and Vivianna Does Makeup spreading their fair share love for Chanel's Signature 'Vitalumiere Aqua' Foundation, I was pretty pumped to give these a whirl. 

THE ZARA JACKET EDIT

For this installment of Wardrobe Wednesday, I've got a little insight to my Jacket Collection and my all time holy grail jackets. Whether it's for Spring / Summer / Autumn / Winter - Zara have pretty much got it covered. With bright colours popping out and cheeky classic whites and heritage tweed blazers making an appearance, it's hard to not love at least one from their collection. 

FACE WIPES THAT ROCK

With a full face of makeup, a hard day at work and a stomach full to the brim there's nothing quite worse than remembering that you need to take off that makeup. With the chores of Cleansing Oils, Waters and Balms sometimes it's okay to have a cheat day and reach for those oh so hated (and often secretly loved) face wipes that we all have a secret love for... yep you heard me. 

MAC COOL TONED PALETTE

Nothing beats a bit of a Luxury Post to feed us through the workin' friday (or just a cherry on top for a kick ass friday for you lucky Summer Holiday Ballers). My recent (well loved, and well powdered over) Mac Cool Toned Palette. As soon as I heard about the launch of this, I just knew it had to be mine. With a pre-birthday purchase, it arrived on my doorstep on my birthday... bingo, Bingo, BINGO. 

HOW DO YOU READ YOUR BOOKS?

A cheeky bit of Mid Week Reading of good ole Sophia Amoruso on how to be a #GIRLBOSS, a little chuckle away to yourself thanks to trusty Tina Fey with her book Bossypants or just a damn good flick through the latest issue of Allure Magazine is always a treat. But one thing we always briefly mention around the dinner table but never properly discuss is whether we prefer a proper paper copy or a snazzy electronic copy on your iPad / iPhone / Kindle. You name it, we've probably given it a go. But since I'm new to this whole reading thang I'm interested in hearing your guys thoughts. 

SO, I'VE SET UP MY OWN BUSINESS...

I am extremely excited to announce to you all that I have launched my own Graphic & Web Design Company, called Exquisite. Based in my Studio in the heart of Cambridge, UK I will be whipping up everything from Branding to Websites to Adverts with a side order of Photography, Film and Digital Marketing.