November 20, 2016 - vicky Leave a comment

ASOS Shoes – New In + Reviews

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Although it is already November, hence the end of Fall, up until now it was quite warm and summery in Greece. However, this didn’t stop me from enriching my shoe wardrobe with a few new pairs from ASOS that I simply fell in love with. Every new season, is an excuse to change my wardrobe and freshen it up a little by adding a few new pieces. This Fall I went a little overboard and practically raided the shoe section of ASOS site. My birthday 10% code only fueled my addiction. Although I picked a couple of black ones, as black is my favorite color and a staple one, this time I decided I needed a bit of a change and I went outside my comfort zone for once by picking some – surprise!!! – colorful shoes as well.

My choices were mostly inspired by some major fall-winter trends we saw on the catwalk and by my practical side as well. Therefore, I tried to combine the cool new trends with staple pieces. I am not a huge fan of heels; I do not wear them often, especially on my day ventures. On the contrary I absolutely love flats; from loafers and ballerinas to sneakers and ankle boots. Therefore, all my choices are completely flat shoes.

ballet-flats-black — Image: www.asos.com

The first shoes I picked and fell in love with, are these lovely black ballerinas, with ankle straps. They are super comfortable and versatile; I can wear them with dresses, skirts and jeans, creating many looks for daytime and nighttime. These ballerinas are part of my slight obsession with the Miu Miu ones, inspired by the actual shoes for ballet dancing. Everyone can admit that these Miu Miu flats are one of the hottest shoes of this season. Since their price is a bit out of my range, I was on the lookout for a good, yet cheap dupe. Once I saw these shoes I simply fell in love with them. Very lovely!

Another major trend of the season – and we have Gucci to thank for – is the good old loafer. This style is a good alternative for the ballerina flats, but it adds a bit more masculinity and structure to a look. I never really went after this style but in the spirit of change and experimentation, this Fall I decided to get my hands on a few pairs of loafers. To be precise I got three pairs. I know it sounds a bit too much but in my defense they were quite cheap (plus the discount code); I simply couldn’t resist. I got a lovely black one for every day (staple and favorite color), a leopard one, which I believe is also quite a staple piece since it goes well with everything but adds a little something to a casual look, and lastly a silver one (getting out of my comfort zone here). Metallic shades are one of my favorite trends of this season, because I feel that they can glam up any look, from a simple pair of jeans with a jumper, to a cute mini skirt with a shirt.

Another pair of flats that caught my attention is this pair of pink, satin flats with a cute black bow. Now if this isn’t outside my comfort zone I don’t know what is. This pair is life! I love how it is made of satin, a luxurious fabric, which is why these shoes are my fancier, yet comfortable choice. The bow and pink color just add a girly vibe to it which makes this pair a perfect addition to my collection, since I don’t have enough girly shoes or clothes.

Last but not least, there is another pair of black flats. These shoes are beautiful, pointy, black flats with ankle straps and studs. Spikes and studs add a rock, badass vibe to a plain pair of shoes, which is something I absolutely love. These specific ones also remind me of the Valentino Rockstud flats, which are gorgeous, yet outside my price range. I believe that the ASOS ones come pretty close and in such a low price. Pair them with some jeans and jumper and a leather jacket for a total 80’s rock look.

On a sidenote, although I am a UK 8 size, on ASOS most shoes are rather small for me so I always go for a size UK 9 just to make sure it fits. So all the shoes mentioned above were a size 9 apart from the last pair which is a size UK 8 because it runs rather big. Like really big. Also my animal print loafers were a bit big, but I sticked with the size 9 anyways, because they have a pointy tip, and pointy shoes turn to squeeze my poor toes. All of the shoes are quite comfy, but the black and silver loafers, as well as the ballerinas, are really, really thin. It doesn’t bother me, but be aware that they are quite thin shoes compared to the rest. Lastly, the ones with the bow are very sturdy and a bit tight around my foot, probably because of the satin material.

I absolutely love each and every one of the shoes I picked in the past month. With my black and colorful flats I feel more than ready for this season. All I can say is: THANK YOU ASOS!!

Vicky xx

May 15, 2016July 31, 2016 - vicky 4 Comments

MICHAEL KORS JET SET TRAVEL CROSSBODY BAG REVIEW

GOLD 7 — Jet Set Travel Large Crossbody Gold

Michael Kors is a brilliant American fashion designer. I love his urban yet feminine style. His bag designs are convenient for the modern woman who needs a stylish and helpful bag. I love his variety of styles, colors and textures. Most importantly I love how there is a price range for his bags which covers everyone; there are cheaper options and more expensive ones. Looking for an elegant and stylish bag, one that I can wear on a daily basis and that goes with all my clothes, I came across Michael Kors’s Jet Set Travel crossbody bag. I tend to prefer the crossbody design because I want my hands to be free when I am around and the strap has to be long enough so it won’t bother me while walking. Also I believe a crossbody bag is not as easy to be stolen from you as a tote, for instance.

navy 3 — Jet Set Travel Large Crossbody Navy

The Jet Set Travel crossbody bag is a very simple bag; it is basically one space and opens up with a simple zipper. The design is kind of rectangular and has the name of the designer in gold letters on the front. Inside, the bag has some pockets which are helpful for placing your phone and cards, so you won’t just throw them in the bag and take ages to find them. I got the large size because the small one is simply too small. It is like a clutch and it can only fit my phone, keys and cards; not my entire wallet or anything else I like to carry with me when I am out. Plus the price of the two sizes is almost the same with the larger one only 20-30 $ more expensive. So why not go bigger right? The star is very long and it does give you some extra space to puncture a few more holes if you need it to be a bit longer, like I do. It comes in two different leathers: the regular, soft one (blue color) and the Saffiano one (god color). The Saffiano leather is sturdier, tougher and less flexible. It also gives a shiny look to the respective color. I do like both types of leather but truth to be told, the Saffiano’s lack of flexibility, sometimes makes it hard to squeeze in that extra little something. I got the bags at 165 Euros which I don’t consider that much for the quality I receive, and the wearability of the bag itself. Since I got them both, they are the only ones I use when going out day and night. To be honest I love the gold one a little more and it just seems to match every piece of clothing I own. I love that it jazzes up any outfit effortlessly.

I would definitely recommend this bag not only for the daytime but for the nighttime as well. For everyday use it just has the perfect size; it fits my wallet, phone, eye glasses case, keys and hand wipes. All these are my essentials, but it also fits a couple of makeup bits like a lipstick and a small perfume, and even my phone charger. I really love this bag! And for the nighttime, although it is not a clutch bag, it is perfect for when standing in a crowded bar with your drink at hand. It is a lovely, stylish crossbody bag, made of good quality materials, at an affordable price. What more can you ask from the perfect casual bag? Comment down below and share your favorite everyday bag! Also, let’s connect through Instagram (@vogueandmacarons) and Twitter (@vogueandmcaron)!

Till next time take care dolls 😉

Vicky xx

April 10, 2016July 31, 2016 - vicky Leave a comment

EVERYDAY NATURAL MAKEUP LOOK

For my everyday go-to makeup, I try not to use many products or create a “heavy” look. I am a fan of the more natural look that basically enhances my characteristics instead of altering them or hiding them. Therefore I don’t really use bright or dark eyeshadow, however, from time to time I pick a red or a fuchsia lipstick because I like adding a pop of color to the natural look. Having a simple makeup look is also great for transitioning from day to-night by touching it up and making it a bit bolder. If the look is too strong already, I don’t think it differentiates from a nighttime look. The look I share with you guys, is one of my favorite for everyday because it is simple, it brightens up my skin and makes it look youthful, dewy and fresh. I love rose gold, nude and brown/mauve shades so most of the looks I create revolve around those colors. Now let’s get started shall we?

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Step 1 – Face

When doing my makeup, the most important thing to me is to create a flawless base. Therefore, I use more products and effort for my face than my eyes or lips.

MAC Prep and Prime primer (on face and eyes)
NARS Sheer Glow foundation in Mont Blanc
Bobbi Brown Corrector in Bisque
NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer in Vanilla
Too Faced Cocoa Powder foundation powder in Fair (for setting)
Too Faced Sweethearts Blush in Candy Glow
Benefit Cosmetics Liquid Face Highlighter in High Beam (on cheekbones, nose, brow bone and cupid’s bow)
Too Faced Bronzer in Chocolate Soleil (for contouring)

Step 2 – Eyes

Before I am going for a natural look, I like to use nude/light brown or rose gold/pink eyeshadow. I don’t like to use too many different shades as it kind of cancels the whole simple purpose of the look. Once I am done with the shadow and mascara, I do my eyebrows. I always do my eyebrows, even when I don’t use any shadow on my eyes at all, as I believe the eyebrows to be the most important facial characteristic. They frame the face and give structure to it. Well groomed eyebrows can make a huge difference to the way someone looks. Therefore, my biggest makeup advice would always be: never omit your eyebrows!

Urban Decay Naked 3 palette shade Strange (as a base all over my eye and eyebrow bone – perfect pink/white)
Urban Decay Naked palette 3 shade Burnout (on my lid as the main color – gorgeous metallic rose gold)
Urban Decay Naked 3 palette shade Limit (as a blending shade to soften the look and also apply on lower lash line – great matte pink/brown)
Lancome Definicils Mascara
H&M Soft Kajal Eye Pencil in Pale Nude (on the waterline to brighten up the eyes and make them look bigger)
Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz pencil in Medium Brown (for the eyebrows)
Anastasia Beverly Hills Clear Brow Gel (to set the eyebrows and blend them out a bit)

Step 3 – Lips

For my lips I don’t have a specific routine as they are my favorite part of my makeup. I like being playful and bold but I also like being subtle and natural. I know it sounds complicated, but basically I can wear anything on my lips. From liquid lipsticks to lip pencils and from burgundy to pink. For this look I decided to go for pink since there is rose gold on my eyes.

MAC Lip Pencil in Edge to Edge (I trace my natural lip line and then fill them in as well – perfect medium pink shade)
Rosebud Perfume Co. Lip Balm in Rosebud Salve (I mix it with my lip pencil to create a glossy, plum, natural lip plus it moisturizes the lips)

For my everyday makeup look, I prefer to use natural, soft shades that enhance my face and make it look fresh and bright. I don’t like to use many products or bold colors as I am usually going for a natural, simple look. For the makeup look I shared with you, I used light brown, rose gold and pink shades, as they are girly and perfect for spring. Comment below and share your favorite daily makeup looks. Also don’t forget to connect with me on Instagram (@vogueandmacarons) and Twitter (@vogueandmacaron)!

Till next time take care dolls 😉

Vicky x

April 4, 2016July 31, 2016 - vicky Leave a comment

STEPS FOR GLOWING SKIN

Glowing, youthful skin is something all women strive to achieve through various products and treatments. Our skin is very fragile; it gets damaged very easily either from factors we something to do with (like diet and makeup) or factors out of our control (like the environment and time). Although it is not easy to change the effect these factors have on our skin, there are ways for us to protect and even repair our skin by minimizing the effect of the negative factors. Bellow, I share with you guys some easy daily and weekly steps that should not be omitted and that will help to achieve the glowing skin we all desire.

DAILY STEPS

Daytime

Cleansing: Every morning it is important to cleanse our skin once we wake up. You might think that it is not necessary as all we did was sleep, so how come the skin is dirty. However, throughout the night, our skin is exposed to the environment around us, plus there are the products we used the night before that need to be removed. Therefore, we should cleanse our skin with a mild cleanser, to merely refresh it and wash away any impurities.

L-R: first aid beauty, philosophy, lancome, lancome, first aid beauty, clarisonic — L-R: First Aid Beauty, Philosophy, Lancome, Lancome, First Aid Beauty, Clarisonic

Moisturizing: Once we have cleansed our skin and before applying any makeup, it is important to moisturize it. During the day our skin is exposed to the harsh environment, like the sun and the car fumes, plus we have makeup on. Either the weather or the ingredients of our makeup, might dry our skin. In order to keep our skin hydrated we need to apply a light moisturizer, that will not burden the skin or interfere with our makeup.

L-R: kiehl's, charlotte tilbury, lancome, lancome, jurlique — L-R: Kiehl’s, Charlotte Tilbury, Lancome, Lancome, Jurlique

Sunblock: The final step of a daytime skincare routine, must be the sunblock. We all know how harmful the sun can be for our skin. From creating free radicals and quicker aging to skin cancer, the sun rays are a major source of skin damage. Therefore, it is essential to apply a good, high protection sunblock before applying our makeup.

Nighttime

Remove makeup: Removing our makeup at the end of the day is the basic step of a good nighttime routine. Many women tend to omit that step, which results in all the chemicals from the makeup products to stay in the skin for the entire day. This essentially results in a lot of damage; from breakouts to dry and irritated skin. Therefore, it is crucial to remove all the makeup from the face and eyes.

L-R: Koh Gen Do, Clinique, Johnson & Johnson, Biotherma, Ren — L-R: Koh Gen Do, Clinique, Johnson & Johnson, Bioderma, Ren

Cleansing: Once the makeup is removed, we should cleanse our skin. Even with the makeup remover products, some makeup will remain on the skin. Plus our skin has been exposed and covered in makeup throughout the day. Therefore, it is very important to cleanse it with a stronger cleanser than the one we used in the morning. The cleanser will relieve the skin from all the dirt and damage it has been through since morning.

L-R: fFrst Aid Beauty, Philosophy, Lancome, Lancome, First Aid Beauty, Clarisonic

Serum: Before applying our nighttime moisturizer, it is important to apply a lightweight serum over our skin. Based on the skin’s needs, it could be a hydrating one, a brightening one or an anti-aging one. Serums are more concentrated than moisturizers and packed with beneficial ingredients. They are basically boost-shots for the skin.

F-R: Algenist, Nude, Jurlique, Dior, Lancome, Dior

Moisturizer: The last step of a good nighttime routine is the moisturizer. Same as in the morning, the moisturizer will hydrate the skin during the night. Since during sleep our body doesn’t function as intensively as the rest of the day, and since we don’t put makeup on while we sleep, the night moisturizer has to be a bit thicker than the day one. The night moisturizer can also have anti-aging properties. Don’t forget that during sleep, our body heals itself and repairs any damages, so we should do what we can to help it.

WEEKLY STEPS

Apart from a good daily routine, it is important once or twice a week to exfoliate our skin and apply a mask. Exfoliating is important as it removes the dead cells and skin. It basically rejuvenates the skin and polishes it. The “bad” skin is washed away for the “new” one to emerge. Because the exfoliating process could be a little harsh for the skin, it is important not to overdo with it; exfoliating once or twice a week is more than enough. Apart from exfoliating the skin, applying a mask is equally important. It could be a hydrating, brightening, anti-aging or anti-blemish mask; the mask’s purpose is dictated by the skin’s needs. Face masks are concentrated and therefore easily absorbed by the skin. They offer an instant boost or repair of any damage done to the skin. Applying a mask on the face is a spa-like treatment but in the comfort of your own home. Again a little goes a long way, so once or twice a week is the perfect frequency for face masks.

exfoliators — F-R: Lancome, Fresh, Chanel, Laura Mercier

L-R: H&M, Fresh, First Aid Beauty, Lancome, Fig & Yarrow, Kocostar

Following some simple daily and weekly steps will result in clean, glowing, youthful skin. Using only a few products, can help achieve the perfect skin we all desire. Although my skin doesn’t have any specific problems, I follow these steps, as much as I can, to protect my skin and keep it glowing and fresh. Comment below and share your favorite skincare routine steps. Also let’s connect on Instagram (@vogueandmacarons) and Twitter (@vogueandmacaron)!

Till next time take care dolls 😉

Vicky x

January 21, 2016 - crazyandfashionable Leave a comment

TOPSHOP JEANS vs ASOS JEANS

I absolutely love wearing jeans. They are so comfortable and easy to style. You can dress them down and create a casual daily look, or dress them up with a nice shirt or top. I like how effortless they are. Pairing jeans with a nice top is so easy that gives you time to focus on the details; the accessories. Another thing I love about jeans, is how there is a huge variety of styles and designs that can basically compliment any body type. There are jeans for slim bodies, curvier figures, tall girls or short ones. And let’s not forget the shades; light blue for the summer, darker blue for the winter, black, grey, white and even colorful ones like pink and red. But as mentioned before, the most important selling point of them for me, is their comfort; the fact that I feel at ease while wearing them, and the fact that I just can’t go wrong with a nice pair of jeans.

I don’t really like to overspend on my jeans. I rather have many different ones than just a couple pricey ones. My two favorite brands for jeans-shopping are Topshop and ASOS. Both brands have reasonably priced jeans and a lovely variety. However, they don’t offer the same quality. I am a 5’10’’ girl with a curvy figure and I feel that high-waisted jeans are better for me. They elongate and slim down my body a little bit, whereas the low or mid waist ones are just focusing on the problematic area (hips) that i’d rather not emphasize. Therefore, when shopping, I always get myself high-waisted jeans.

ASOS Ridley Skinny Ankle Grazer Jeans in Reef Wash — Topshop Moto Prettty Blue Joni Jeans

From Topshop all my jeans are the Joni Super High Waisted ones. I love the Joni jeans. The size I go for is W32L34 and in the Tall section it’s W30L36. They are very comfortable, long enough and reasonably priced at 50 euros. However, the quality is not that good. I hate to say it, but if it was up to me I wouldn’t call them jeans but jeggings because that’s how they feel. The material is quite thin and after a while it rubs off and sometimes it even gets holey. It also becomes a bit baggy especially around the knees and the color may fade at some parts. Something that is that thin, in my opinion is not really denim. Hence, I would call them jeggings. They are very stretchy and comfortable, but because they are that thin, I don’t feel I am wearing proper jeans. I like how they are flattering my body and how long they are but it’s disappointing at how quickly they fall apart. They last me a year at the most before they start having major issues. I do still love them though, as they combine comfort, style and a relatively low price.

From ASOS I go for the Ridley Skinny High Waisted Jeans. I usually get the W32L34 size, unless it’s an ankle grazer, where in that case I might size up, as I find they have a little tighter fit. Now the ASOS jeans are quite different. They are thicker than the Joni ones, therefore they don’t rub off or fade that easily. Because they are thicker, they are less elastic. This means they are not as comfy and stretchy as the Joni ones. Don’t get me wrong though; they are not uncomfy. They are as comfy as regular jeans are. The Topshop ones are too stretchy, more like leggings. The length may vary in ASOS jeans. I have ankle grazers that are just above my ankles and ankle grazers that are like cropped jeans. So I would say that there might be a slight surprise with the length. Therefore, if I can size up on the length I do it. Their price is lower than the Topshop ones; they are between 34-45 euros. I really like my ASOS Ridley jeans a lot because they feel like proper, good quality jeans and they are at a great price.

Left to right: Toppsh — Left to right: ASOS vs Topshop

Jeans are one of the most popular pieces of clothing. They are comfortable, relatively cheap and they match with everything. Literally, you can put any top with them and you have a nice look. From effortless and casual they can easily be transformed into a chic night-time outfit. I love my jeans; whether they are from Topshop or ASOS. However, if you are looking for the best combination of quality and low price (value for money), ASOS is a better choice. Its jeans are thicker, better quality and more affordable. Topshop jeans are very comfy and they have a nice fit, but they are quite thin and they will fall apart quite quickly. Plus they are a bit more pricey. I recommend both brands as they both offer some nice jeans; I just like ASOS jeans a bit more. It all comes down to what everyone is seeking; better quality or more comfort and stretch. Which is your favorite jeans brand and why? Do you guys prefer ASOS or Topshop jeans? I would love to know what you think! Don’t forget to pop over my Instagram (@blueberrylover) and Twitter (@vickyinlalaland) and say hi!

Till next time take care dolls 😉 xxx

Vicky

December 17, 2015 - crazyandfashionable 2 Comments

THE GIFT OF GODDESS – HOLIDAY SET REVIEW

Hello guys! Being sick for a few days now has really brought down my mood, however, this weekend I received something I have been dying to try out since the end of November; Charlotte Tilbury’s “The Gift of Goddess” skin holiday set. You all may know by now that I am quite a skin care hoarder. I love skin care products probably more than makeup ones. The reason for that is that with skin care products you don’t just enhance your characteristics and your natural beauty, but you can actually improve your imperfections or any problems your skin may have. Skin care products are a huge addiction for me, especially moisturizers and face cleansers. I just love trying different brands and see what they have to offer.

Charlotte Tilbury is a very renowned makeup artist who works with many celebrities. I have heard so many amazing things about her makeup and skin care products so I have been longing to try some for quite a while. When I am not sure about a brand, I prefer to try a sample first before I invest in a full size product. Holiday sets are the perfect way to get to know a brand and try many different products. Therefore, when her holiday sets came out I really wanted to get one. I picked “The Gift of Goddess” skin set, because the products included are the ones I really wanted to get. The set has 3 products and is 15 ml each. It has Charlotte’s Magic Cream, which is a moisturizer, the Wonderglow, which is an illuminating cream like a highlighter, and the Goddess Skin Clay Mask, which obviously is a mask.

Charlotte’s Magic Cream is absolutely lovely. It is a moisturizing cream with SPF 15 so you can wear it in the daytime. I have been wearing it in the nighttime as part of my before-sleep routine. My skin is quite dry recently because of the cold weather and I need a good moisturizer. This cream is simple lovely. It smells amazing, like roses and gardenia, is thick enough but it is absorbed easily by the skin and it is spreadable, which means you only need a small quantity to cover the entire face. So although it is 15 ml, it will last for a while. I really enjoy using this cream and I do feel my skin moisturized. However, the best part is how soft my skin feels next morning. It is smooth like a baby’s butt. I absolutely recommend it.

The Goddess Skin Clay mask is a mask that lifts, smooths, brightens your skin and tightens your pores. I have used the mask twice so far and I am not very sure how I feel about it. It has the same lovely scent as the cream and it is very easy to apply on your skin. Because you need a thick layer in order to have some results, the 15 ml may not last for as long as the cream. It has a nice feel to it and it is easy to remove with a warm cloth. I love how my skin is soft and smooth afterwards and it does look a little brighter however, I can’t really tell if it lifts the skin and tightens the pores. I believe if it is used for a longer period, you might get all the mentioned results, but just after a couple of times I didn’t get everything promised. Hence I am unsure how I feel about it. I am not dissatisfied, but it is more like one of these products that don’t really wow you. It is a nice mask, smells good and is quite rehydrating. It feels lovely and it brightens the skin a bit. I am glad I got a 15 ml sized tube to check it out before I splurge on the big one.

Lastly, the Wonderglow is a very promising product but I don’t believe I fully understood what it is when I first put it on. I was under the impression it is a sort of metallic highlighting primer, like Benefit’s High Beam but as a primer. You can use the product under your foundation, over your foundation or just on its own on a makeup free face. Once I applied it though, I realized it is a shimmery product. It has a beige color which dissolves once you apply it, and it is very shimmery. I don’t like shimmer on my skin a lot especially on an everyday basis. I made the mistake to apply it to my entire face which stressed me out because I didn’t want to have shimmer on my forehead and chin. The shimmer however, is quite discrete, so I am confused as to what the product really does; if the shimmer is barely seen then I don’t understand what’s the point of it. Plus I can only apply shimmer on my cheeks, otherwise it’s going to look tacky a bit. So this product is very confusing to me and I didn’t really enjoy it.

“The Gift of Goddess” skin set by Charlotte Tilbury, is a lovely holiday set for anyone who has never used the brand before. The products are a great introduction to the brand’s skincare line. The size is quite small for the money you pay ( 50 euro ) but compared to the price for the full-sized ones it’s a good deal. Overall the products are quite nice, with the Magic Cream the set’s hit. I recommend this set for anyone who wants to try the brand out plus it would make a lovely Christmas present. Have you guys tried any of these products and if so what do you think about them? Don’t forget to pop over Instagram (@blueberrylover) and Twitter (@vickyinlalaland) to say hi.

Till next time take care dolls 😉 xxx

Vicky