Longer days and warmer nights

Happy Spring! I just thought I’d share a really cute OOTD fit from Mother’s Day. In the UK, we celebrate on the last Sunday of the month of March.

 So spring has come and I have tilted my head over to the Zara mid-season sale site, haven’t purchased anything as of yet, but that silk flower print kimono that Shirley posted sometime this month got me thinking lol. For this transitional period though, blush pinks, creams and nudes along with a cool denim (yay for tucking the dark denim back into the winter file to not be seen until September!) are my go to palette for me.

Sleeveless turtleneck top - REISS
Jeans - TOPSHOP (JONI)
Shoes - CHRISTIAN LOUBOUTIN So Kate

What go to colours are hiding in your palette ?

 Also during this past weekend, I attended my first wedding of 2017. I haven’t been to a wedding in 2 years! The occasion was so beautiful and intimate, a first for me. Imagine, I had around 2 weeks to actually find an outfit for the occasion and seeing as I’m so conscious of my body, can you just imagine the slight panic going through my head?

Shout-out to my home girl Bernie! She hooked me up with her aunt from Fantascreation whose designs have featured on many cool Ankara / kente bespoke tailoring Instagram pages including bellanaijaweddings and idoghana! Within 2 weeks (more like 5 days) me, a Caribbean, learnt a thing or two about buying lace material and how to differentiate kente (it was low-key a headache lol).  But I loved my outfit!

Bespoke dress - Fantas Creation
Shoes - Christian Louboutin So Kate

A satin-rose off shouldered high-low dress with gold lace applique and orange beading.

And the slay for the weekend:

  

Sunday and Saturday

This is like my go-to basic necessities whenever I'm pulling out a look ;)

Foundation: A mixture of Dior So Nude and YSL -Concealer: LA Girl set with Sacha Banana Powder

Setting Powder: Mac Mineralizer -Bronzer: The Body Shop

Highlighter: MUA at Superdrug -Eyebrows: Sleek eyebrow kit

Eyeshadow: Morphe 360 palette with Barry M loose glitter in Rose Gold -Eyelashes: Liza Lush

Lips: NYX chestnut eyeliner with Tom Ford Nude


x

Christian Louboutin launch Lipsticks

I remember being in New York last year and hearing about the big news by the Christian Louboutin brand launching a nail lacquer line, with spiky stiletto bottles that sold out everywhere.

Now, around a year after expanding into the beauty world, the luxury brand is expanding its beauty range to lipstick [THANK GOD- in the sense that I thought their first product would be lipstick and actually not nail polish].

But are you ready for the price? Let me put it like this, I believe the most expensive brand in terms of lipsticks in my make up range is of Mr. Tom Ford (at £38/ $50) and I believe that Tom Ford’s lipstick currently stands as the priciest luxury brand on the market. However from research, I’m seeing around $90 / around £55! But of course, it's not just lipstick we’d be buying. Louboutin says he aims to create "objets d’art," and desires more than "beauty products"—and these creations are indeed just that.

“When a woman carries a handbag, we look at her shoulders. When she slips on a pair of heels, we observe her walk. If she applies lacquer to her nails, we admire her hands,” said Louboutin, in a release from the company. “An object that embellishes the lips—the beacon of sensuality and organ of communication—has to be fairly amazing. The object should inspire a beautiful gesture.”

.

The line features 36 shades in three different textures — Silky Satin, Velvet Matte, and Sheer Voile — that are inspired by Louboutin handbags and shoes. As with any of Louboutin's products, the lipsticks are works of art, inspired by everything from Babylonian architecture to Art Deco to Middle Eastern antiquities. In short, a little bit of inspiration from the beautiful Crown Jewels, golden bullet-type mermaid tails.

Originally, sales within the perfume aspect of luxury brands powered the fashion world. Soon after, it became designer jeans and now more than ever, it's another form of accessories. It is no coincidence that Louboutin arrived in the 90s when this switch began, helming alongside Manolo Blahnik and Jimmy Choo as the Holy Trinity of the luxury footwear market. From distance research and observation over the market change, shoes (and bags) have turned from something you put on your feet to avoid splinters into fetish-type objects for woman (as well as men) recently. 

I just wanted to share this because of how the coverage has been online regarding the news of the brands latest venture. Despite the rumoured price tag, I am very intrigued on how this product will play out in terms of features, and possibly more insight into the inspiration behind the inspiration the appearance.

COMPETITION time !

Yur, I said it, it's that time guys ! Lately, I've been wanting to host a little something to show how much I love  my readers and to celebrate the support that I've had throughout this blog. It's been WAY too long since I last conducted a giveaway competition ... And as January has come to an end, and Valentines day is around the corner (14 days!), these were the perfect excuse to buy and giveaway !

 Like I said, this is a giveaway where all products were purchased by me, These are products which I've used in the past before and LOVE so I'd thought I share the love with 2 readers of 'Miss Olivia-Zara' and treat you with either a:

 ~ Victoria Secret Fragrance AND Lotion

~or~

~ NARS Turkish Delight Lipgloss

They have not been opened, and will arrive to the winners in the original packaging as well as receive an amazing gift wrap c/o -MOI !
_____

I will decide whom out of the 2 winners will get what.

~ It's most likely that it would be based on who completed the most out of the criteria (for example :- 2 winners are chosen but one had done 3 of the steps where the other has done 4, the one that did 4 will be contacted to see which one they want and the other with get what is left ) 

~ Or it will be chosen randomly out of a hat (and will video record that session lol) 

RULES:

~Follow the blog (become a member) . You have to be a member/follower to enter this competition.

~Do write your name and twitter account (or facebook) in this blog post comment box . So when you win, It will be easy to find you and tell the whole world who my winners are !

~Like the facebook page.

~Follow on Twitter account and tweet about the giveaway.

a Rafflecopter giveaway
Good Luck Everyone, and thanks for taking part ! x

Autumn Nails

Happy October everyone !
Thought I'd share my favorite nail colors which I hope to be 'sporting' this season (if I get the time to ^_^) 

From left to right
mavala -mexico
boots- 17
barry m- tangerine (136)
barry m- foil effects (320)
MUA (at superdrugs) -21
mavala- london

For me personally, nude and red color nails never go out of fashion, but finding the right color to match your skin tone is crucial.

 The 'London' and 'Mexico'by Mavala was something I received at the Bora Asku show from LFW, and I absolutely love them! I've shared it with friends and they find no fault in the color or with chipping (so I guess it's good value for the price which is (I think- around £3) and the purple happens to be the shade which I love and is always popular during this time, it always reminds me of the MAC lavender violet.

 The nude from MUA happens to be one of the only colors I religiously look for when I'm in superdrugs; the finish is as identical as when you have a gel manicure ( however, if you do not put on at least a 'thick-ish' upper coat, the matte finish is not always appealing to the eye.

 The shimmering blue-y nail polish is part of a collection by '17' at boots (might not be available now) is just one of them 'amazingly weird' colors that every girl should have in their collection. It's a bold looking color that will probably not match any outfit you wear throughout the week which is on your hands, BUT and the end of the day, it's an interesting color, and it is the intriguing colors that fascinate me more than the typical black, french manicure, red and nude colors which every female on this earth has. The best places to find stuff like these are buy going to the nail factories instead most shops, or ask your nail technician (if you have one) where they buy their products from.

Wondering why I left out Barry M? - Everyone knows about Barry M ! If not - booo! Start your collection off with the tangerine and foil gold . The tangerine consists of a burnt orange with a little shimmer and it just looks ultra cool.

x

  

Nail Polish AW11

You know you were going to see this post come up sooner of later ;)

I was actually thinking of doing a whole blog post about the key make-up and beauty trend for AW11 , but as(you ALL should know) I LOVE NAILS, I thought NOPE, the nail trend shall have its own post so lets forget the face for a  moment and about this season's smoky eye or red lip(well it seems to be so popular and always fall in every season in my opinion) because all attention is heading down south and will be on your fingertips.

Nowadays, nails are having a fashion moment with icons like Rihanna, Katy Perry the Kardashians and Beyonce all getting in on the act.  The must-have nail colours of the AW11 season, range from ‘70s inspired denim shades and vibrant metallic hues, to sludgy autumnal shades and chic brown hues.

Here we have a range of colours inspired by material effects. Nothing better than the Chanel nail varnish collection which features metallic and shimmering shades of green and gold (yes IN one bottle), graphite and quartz.

Vernis in Peridot, Quartz and Graphite, £17.50

I don't normally spend over £6 (with my NUS card) on nail varnish but i DEFINITELY would buy the 531 Peridot because (to me) the colours are very beautiful and reminiscent of a peacock feather.

However, if you don't want to break your pockets due to Chanel, you could check out Topshop who are more friendly with pricing and have also launched another limited collection . This season, their colours consist of hazy ‘70s mixture of pastel shades of yellow and mint green, and more autumnal burgundies and browns, so you can follow whatever palette you like.  These colours can be worn by ANYBODY, at ANYTIME for ANY OCCASION.

Smoke & Mirrors in Bourbon and Prim and Proper, £6, Topshop

Beautiful colours, suiting every occasion and outfit + can use my NUS card !!!! = Thanks Topshop ;) x

But even if you think Topshop are a little over budget with their pricing you could head to .... BARRY M !!!!

Mushroom

Dusky Mauve

Red Wine

Yurp still at £2.99. Barry M also have other new additions to nail effects like

Purple Rain and Gold Effect for Crackle



And a new instant nail effect with a foil finish

 

So yeah, with Barry M, your nail collection will cost between £2.99-£3.99 (and don't forget to use your NUS card whenever possible)

With that dealt with, we can check out the dusty mauve's and purple blues palette. Models Own have created their own range of gorgeous, shimmery shades for autumn/winter 2011 at the price of £5.

Colours : Ash Cloud in Purple Rain, Dusty Mauve, Betty Blue, Gun Grey and Pure Purple.

In the Dior AW11 show the colours consisted of pure ‘70s luxe, so it’s no surprise that their nails were too. They’ve created deep, bold shades of midnight blue - a surprisingly elegant look for the evening, but can still be worn during the day.

Fall Look in Tuxedo and Blue Denim, £17.50, by Dior

Remember guys, its NOT all about the brand, just how good the colour looks FOR YOU !!!! So dont buy the whole range from somewhere like Chanel/Dior/YSL if you can find similar colours from MUA for Superdrug. You Get Me?

-Well have fun painting them nails guys ;) x

The New Fragrances For Men : Topshop

Topman have two new fragrances, so if you happen to be around a Topman store next week Wednesday, then check out what Topman wants you to try out and grab a sample of their new 16 & 27 ;) (Only selected stores btw)