NYX // Lip Liners

I've been feeling a strong surge to upgrade my lip liner game as of late. Unfortunately for me, I find most brands of lipsticks incredibly drying on my lips, yes even moisturising ones. Because of this, lip liner is a must for over all lip protection staying power.

I recently purchased the NYX lip liners as I'd seen great reviews by fellow bloggers, in the hopes that my lipstick would last longer and I'm not really all about the bleeding lip life. The two normal pencil shades I picked were in the colours Nude Suede Shoes and Dark Soul. I really wanted a nude colour as pinky/beigey shades have been my staples lately and I feel my berry shades will look even better with extra precision. I also picked up a retractable liner in the shade Ruby Red - again precision is key for my darker shades.

Initially, I was very impressed with how well the shades matched their packaging - there's nothing worse than a red looking less ruby and more like that jumper you have to wear at Christmas because a family member knitted it for you. After a few trial and errors with using one shade in particular, bet you can't guess which one, I can safely say I'm extremely happy with the pigmentation of the pencils and can create a great base for my lipstick to sit on top.

L - R: Nude Suede Shoe/Dark Soul/Ruby

As well as the pigmentation, the longevity of the pencils on my lips means I can get a good few hours of colour before it starts to fade away - with a lack of bleeding I may add!

The biggest criticism I have is that the retractable liner does have a slight fluffier texture over the creaminess of the pencils, and doesn't glide on as well as the others. This is probably to give it a matte finish, but for me I find it a bit too fiddly to work with. Knowing this now, I'd probably go ahead and buy the red pencil over the mechanical one and at £5.50 per liner, you really can't go wrong!

Victoria

Spring Outfits '16

Whilst I'm well aware it's very nearly summer, I feel like I can get away with this post as the British weather is extremely unpredictable. So far, we've had about four days worth of a genuinely nice weather for spring - which doesn't really bode well for summer. 

That being said, I've made a small compilation of of my three spring staples which I feel I could transition well for the summer months.

 Bomber Jacket & Sleeveless Jumper - New Look

Jeans - Topshop // Shoes - Primark 

Sleeveless dress - Boohoo

Denim Pinafore - New Look

 Grey Cowl Neck - Select

Victoria

TV Show Recommendations #3

Yes, I'm back on the topic of period dramas. What with Game of Thrones coming back recently, I'm all about that dragon life again. But if you're into slightly more realistic/non-fictional TV shows, I may just have the thing for you.

Peaky Blinders

Let me start off by saying, this is a brilliant show to binge watch with their only being a few episodes per series. Peaky Blinders is set in Birmingham, 1919, just after the First World War - quite a crucial point to the plot. The Peaky Blinders are a violent gang, lead by Thomas Shelby (Cillian Murphy). The story focuses on the Shelby family, and Tommy's ambition to set up a legal bookmakers in Birmingham, hoping to branch out to the rest of the UK and other parts of the world.

Throughout the series, you witness the gangs run in with the police and other groups whilst trying to protect their family and friends - leading to some very raw, gripping and emotional scenes.

The show also gives you a real insight into the hardships of the men who had some of the worst jobs in WWI, including tunnel warfare. This in-depth look at the brutality the men faced through flashbacks, really helps you understand their struggles and how the war changed them as people.

Though extremely violent and dangerous, you can't help falling for at least one of the Shelby brothers with their loyalty to their family and to the Peaky Blinders themselves.

With a big star cast from Cillian Murphy, Tom Hardy to Helen McCrory, there's bound to be at least one person you've heard of. Though I will say, there is a fair amount of brutality in the show, so it is not for the faint hearted.

Ripper Street

Ripper Street is set Whitechapel, London in 1889 - six months after the Jack the Ripper killings. The story focuses on three detectives, living in the East End of London solving cases whilst having to deal with obstacles in their personal lives, which frequently intertwine. 

In the first series, The head of H Division, Detective Inspector Edmund Reid, unites with Sergeant Bennet Drake (big up Bronn) and Captain Homer Jackson - a former US Army Surgeon and Pinkerton. Together, they begin to investigate the murders of more women in the district.

The show doesn't just focus solely on the men either, Jacksons relationship with brothel owner Susan is one of my favourite parts of the show.

Again, this show can be slightly on the gory side - so I'd stay away if witnessing blood and organs isn't for you.

With Matthew Lewis recently being added to the cast, yes I do mean THE Neville Longbottom (Yorkshire represent), there's no reason why you shouldn't want to watch.

Victoria