HM x Balmain

Times like this I wish I was a YouTube blogger because this blog is going to take me so long to type and might get quite long so make sure you're comfortable!

The H&M collab with Balmain was one of their most publicized collections, they have previously worked with Versace, Margiela, Comme des Garcons and the recent Alexander Wang.  The Balmain collection was backed by the likes of the Jenner/Kardashian clan which made having a piece on a lot of people's 'want' list. Olivier Rousteing said that "working with H&M allows me the unique possibility of bringing everyone into the world of Balmain, get a piece of the dream and create global HMBalmaintion; a movement of togetherness, fueled on a hashtag. The collaboration felt extremely natural to me: H&M is a brand that everyone connects to. It calls for unity, and I'm all for that."  So basically giving the average person the chance to own something that was designed by Balmain, however Olivier was under much criticism when the line launched because many people queued up or refreshed their internet hundreds of times and were left empty handed, he was accused of making a line that was too exclusive. Others say that it is has cheapened the Balmain brand and that the collection is "just H&M, it is not Balmain".  I have to disagree with those statements as, like stated earlier, H&M have worked with the likes of Versace and they are still selling at top prices, it has not cheapened their branding, just made the brand more public to the world, it's an amazing way of advertising. Also, yes, H&M made the clothes however they were designed by Balmain, advertised by Balmain and have been modeled on the likes of Kendall Jenner, I don't think that makes them just "H&M clothes" but they are not completely Balmain either. They aren't fake items, like a replica Louis Vuitton, these pieces have had a lot of involvement from Balmain.

So, after being sat for 2 hours in front of my iPad and iPhone I finally managed to grab 7 pieces from the collection.  I have been waiting since the 5th of November for my H&M x Balmain pieces to arrived and I can say I am not at all disappointed. I was quite skeptical on the collaboration as I thought the quality of the garments may be poor however I was surprised how heavy the materials are and you can just feel the quality.

 The main piece that I immediately wanted was the double breasted blazer, I have always had my eye on the original Balmain blazer, however it retails for around £1300 but I didn't know if I would wear it enough to spend that money on a blazer. I don't know what it is, if it's a handbag I feel like its a timeless item that is an investment whereas clothing I get bored of pretty quick, but when I saw the HMxBalmain version I just knew I needed it! The jacket runs small to size, so I did purchase a 12UK which is now the size most people are after. The buttons over the jacket are an amazing quality, quite heavy and have a lovely detailing when looking close. The blazer is heavy and thick because it is lined and made of wool.  If you see above, the left is the original Balmain blazer vs the HM version, you can see that they are extremely a like.  Apart from the beaded dresses, this is one of the most 

sought after pieces. 

The other purchases I made were the roll neck polo, which is so thick! It's really good quality with a chunky zip that runs up the back, it has padded shoulders which is very typical for Balmain.

The fuchsia blouse is also one of my favourite items, it does up across your body so no need to pull over your head, which is so important to me because I hate ruining my hair! It has the button detailing on the cuffs and shoulder, smaller badges to the blazer however make it very obvious that it is a Balmain piece. It's a very light blouse which is almost silky to touch with a very subtle pattern on.

  Accessories wise, I brought the silk patterned scarf which I haven't even got out it's box and I already love it! It comes packaged in a large black box with the H&M Balmain logo on in gold then the scarf is wrapped in tissue paper, I LOVE PACKAGING! It really sells the item to me.  I brought the beanie, I don't really know why, it just really appealed to me, it is 100% wool with "Balmain Paris" stitched in gold. I also brought 2 tshirts, one in XS for myself and the white one in Large for my partner, who doesn't like the fit on him (ungrateful or what?!).  The t shirt is so simple but I really like mine, the logo is in a felt print and looks extremely like the original Balmain shirts, however say "France" rather than "Paris" but I think that is a sort of "if you know, you know" detail.

All of the pieces come with their own silk clothing/dress bag which has the logo in gold printed on. I thought this was a really nice touch and made it all feel very luxurious. 

Literally minutes after the line was launched people already had it on eBay for sale and I can't believe how many people are desperate for a piece.

Here is just an example of the prices some of the collection is going for!  It wasn't my intention to buy and sell however some of the items just don't fit me right or aren't great with my skin tone, I know that sounds hilarious but I'm so picky! So, I will be placing some of my items on eBay within the next few days, however, if you wish to avoid the crazy bidding, I'm willing to accept reasonable offers before listing them so email me on jessicalannie@aol.com if you wish to make me a offer/for more info, but please research the current prices before emailing! 

Overall, I think H&M and Balmain have worked together to make an amazing collaboration. If you are one of the people that do own original Balmain, don't feel too hurt/insulted by this cheaper line, most people are refer to the brand as "bal-mane" anyway, when really it's pronounced "Bal-mahhn", haha!

Please leave me comments below and thanks for reading.

love from jessica x 

MAC Haul

I just love the feeling of getting new make-up!

I thought I would share with you a few bits that I got from MAC recently and give you my opinion on the products.

(Sorry this is probably going to be long!)

Firstly, everything I'm about to talk about is available on the MAC site click here! I will use every products full name so if you are considering purchasing anything, all you have to do is pop it into the search bar!

I would just like to say that the term some people love to use for MAC products is 'MACNE' which luckily has not applied to me personally yet, MAC has always worked well on my skin, just some products for me are extremely oxidising - which basically means when they react with the air throughout the day they become more and more orange. Or I find some products by MAC just don't control my oily skin. 

Personally I think MAC is a brilliant make up brand. I strongly believe that a company that just produces one range puts more effort into that product, for example MAC only create make-up and one of the best sellers in glasses is Ray-Ban, both companies specify in selling one product. Don't misinterpret what I mean, some designer brands of makeup are my holy grail, but some products and price tags on designer make-up make me feel as if I am paying for the branding, not how good the product is. 

I wanted to try a new foundation as I've used YSL for quite a while, I wasn't having problems I just fancied a changed. So I got the Pro Longwear Foundation in NC30. This shade has a yellow undertone, which I find helpful if you have an uneven skin tone with a bit of redness, the yellow toning helps neutralise this. It has a pump bottle which I personally prefer as it is easy to clean and control the product flow. This foundation promises 12 hours wear with zero shine and when putting it to the test I found it did keep those promises.  This product dries pretty fast, so work quick! I have quite oily skin and this helps control that throughout the day however I can imagine that it could dehydrate someones skin if they do have a dry skin type.  This foundation removes quite easily and you can build up the coverage depending on your preference. This product is no where near as thick and cakey as Estee Lauder Double Wear but still has the lasting time.

RRP - £25.50

This is the Pro Longwear Pressed Powder. The compact comes with a sponge applicator and mirror. I brought Medium-Dark, when I was first matched with this at a MAC counter I thought how on earth could I be that dark however I find that the powder is quite light. The purpose of this powder for me is just to set my foundation and contour. The coverage is sheer but you can build it up to around medium if preferred.  If I want to let my skin breath I usually wear this without any foundation just to take the shine off my face and give me more of a matte finish.

RRP £22.50

I really wanted a bronzer with a highlighting pigment so went for MAC Mineralize Gold Deposit.  This is quite a dark bronzer, I use it lightly in the day just enough to catch in the light and build it up quite heavy for an evening look. I am a huge fan of heavy contour and love to set my contour with this, it just catches the light perfect in natural lighting and camera photos. 

RRP - £24.00

I brought a few lipsticks, the notorious 'Velvet Teddy', which I've been dying to have forever!, 'Fabby' and 'O'.

Here's a few swatches so you get an idea of the colour against skin. Left is 'Fabby' and right is 'Velvet Teddy'.

Above is 'O'. I was actually meant to purchase 'Whirl' but accidentally scroll down one and ended up with this! Surprisingly I love it! Its a gorgeous brown with a bronze tone, perfect for the Autumn months approaching! 

'O' 

I love these shades, they are really hydrating and even though one is matte, it doesn't dry out my lips. They can be used in the day and evening!

RRP - £15.50 each

I also got a Pro Longwear lip liner in Nice 'N' Spice.  This colour lines well with Velvet Teddy and looks good alone if you fill in your lips and add a clear gloss.

RRP - £15.00

Finally, I wanted to try a new liquid eyeliner, I usually use one by Urban Decay. I purchased this as I thought the short handle would give a more precise application.  The colour I got was 'Point Black'. To be honest it's not my favourite however I have only used it a handful of times and find it takes awhile to get used to a new product, especially if you need it to create wings! The product sets fast so you have to work quickly, however it lasts forever, I've fallen asleep after a night out with it on and woke up with perfect winged eyeliner the next day!

RRP - £16.00

I really hope I've given you the incentive to treat yourself, after all payday is coming! 

Thank you for reading, please feel free to leave a comment below, anyone can comment even if you don't have an account!

P.S. I am soon coming up to my 5K views and would love to do a GIVEAWAY! Please comment below on a product you would like to see on the giveaway to give me some ideas!

love from jessica x

Dinner in Birmingham

If you follow my instagram (jessslx) you will have seen quite a few (ok, a lot!) of pictures of my dinner date to Birmingham for my 5 year anniversary with my lovely fiance.

We went to Marco Pierre White's Steakhouse Restaurant which is within The Cube situated in Birmingham's city centre.  It is not my first time visiting this restaurant, I've actually been quite a few times, but it is my absolute favorite that is within a reasonable travelling distance. The view from your table is amazing as the restaurant is on the 25th floor. I love the subtle lighting which makes your meal really intimate and the staff are so friendly, your glass is never empty!

I am more of a sweet tooth so always skip starters, I had Chateaubriand steak cooked rare, which was superb, and the sticky toffee pudding with lots of strawberry daiquiris to wash it down!

I love the build up to the night out, ordering a new dress etc! 

This evening, I went for a plain burgundy asymmetric dress, team with a pair of Bianca Louboutins and a DKNY quilted shoulder bag.

Outfit Details:

Dress: Pretty Little Thing - https://www.prettylittlething.com/ - £12 (Bargain Alert!!)

Bag: DKNY - http://www.harveynichols.com/ - £225 - I actually brought mine from The Mint Company but they aren't available in the UK

Shoes: Christian Louboutin - £545 - http://eu.christianlouboutin.com/

I added a Michael Kors watch as a simple detail, this watch was a gift but I've found the exact one from The Watch Shop site which is at a great price! - http://www.watchshop.com

So I know some of the accessories can be a bit pricey or perhaps you just aren't into designer items, below are a few similar pieces that are for all budgets!

For an alternative quilted bag;

This I found on eBay for just £13.08! - http://www.ebay.co.uk

This quilted bag I found on ASOS, just £20! - http://www.asos.com/

For the shoes I found a few patent heels that will look just as good! 

eBay again! - £20 - http://www.ebay.co.uk/

ShuWish! - £19.95 with free delivery - http://shuwish.com

And for a rose-gold watch, have a look at...

This watch has silver and rose gold tones through the bracelet and is priced at £35 from River Island - http://www.riverisland.com/

I love how classy the thin bracelet is on the watch above! This is from Next for £24 - http://www.next.co.uk/

I hope you have enjoyed my Dinner In Birmingham post! Hopefully you will find the above alternatives helpful if you were looking for a similar look!

love from jessica x

August Make Up Haul / Naked Smoky Palette / Urban Decay Products

Hi everyone! I'm really trying not to suffocate you with too many blog posts but just felt like I needed to write about a few products I have purchased this month!

Firstly, the new Naked Smoky Palette. Well oh my gosh I have been waiting for this palette to release for what seems like foreverrr! I had it reserved for me at the Urban Decay counter in Debenhams so when I got the phone call to say it was there for me to collect I was so excited!

 

When I first heard Urban Decay were bringing out another palette I automatically assumed that it would be quite similar to the Naked 1,2,3 but so glad that it proved me wrong.

This palette consists of bluey/greys and purples for a dramatic evening smokey eye but still gives you the classic warms tones for a softer smokey day look. It is literally perfect for me because I love a heavy smokey eye which I don't find I can get from the Naked collection.  It also comes with an double ended brush, one side for blending and the other end is a smudger.  Along with the palette, there is a leaflet with a few step-by-step instructions for different smokey eye looks which is really handy when you are just trying to get used to which colours blend well with what.  I love the packaging, I much prefer the plastic casing rather than the suede used on Naked 1.

Here is the eye shadow swatches from left to right; HIGH, DIRTYSWEET, RADAR, ARMOR, SLANTED, DAGGER, BLACK MARKET, SMOLDER, PASSWORD, WHISKEY, COMBUST, THIRTEEN.

Here's a little picture of a dark/purpley smokey eye I created, finishing with Eylure 140 lashes, MAC 'Rebel' Lipstick and MAC liquid liner in 'Point Black'. 

So when I went to get the palette, the lady at the stand informed me of an offer that they have got on currently, if you spend £50+ you get a free goodie bag! Well with the other half paying I wasn't going to turn down free gifts! To be honest I'm terrible when it comes to them, I always spend the limit to get a free gift of some rubbish I will never use but this time it was actually pretty worth it.

The palette was £38 so had to pick something else to get the free gifts.  I was actually finding it really difficult to pick something else as I had just had a MAC spree so wasn't anything I honestly needed but then I spotted this gorgeous new lipstick.  It's one of their new range called 'Stark Naked' and its a matte lipstick. I'm really loving the matte lipstick look at the minute (I am hooked on MAC Matte Velvet Teddy!!) and I don't really think I suit coloured lipsticks as a day look (you know when you suddenly look really done up if you wear a colour on your lip? That's me!) so I always go for nudes without trying to buy the exact shades I already have! 

From the left; a swatch of 'Stark Naked' vs MAC 'Velvet Teddy'. 

As you can see is a gorgeous matte and lasts a good few hours before having to re-apply. It's a lot more beige than Velvet Teddy so was a good investment as it isn't too similar.

The free gifts I got in a cute little bag were the Urban Decay All-Nighter Setting Spray, which I already have in the full version but this one is so cute and fits easily in your bag! I wouldn't say that this is the equivalent of MAC Fix +, its more a hairspray for your makeup and does help keep it in place all day.

The other product was a pocket-size bottle of their new high-colour lipgloss, 'Revolution'. I didn't get to pick the colour but there is lots available to buy in full size. The colour I received was 'Scandal' which is quite a bright pink for me, I don't think that I would necessarily wear this colour as I just feel it does nothing for my skin tone, but when I trialed the gloss for a day it did to last really well and I love how shiny it is so I would buy full size, just in a different colour. 

Hope that helps if you are considering buying the new Urban Decay palette! 

love from jessica x

  

1k Views!

When I first started a blog I was feeling a little anxious as to what people may think as obviously beforehand I've heard others say that blogging can be quite cringey or "what do they know about blogging!". I think it takes quite a lot to write something that anyone can read and judge so really admire people that write blogs and video blog.  I was soooooo happy when I checked the stats on my page to see that just within 24 hours I had had over 1k views!

I would just like to say thank you so much to everyone that has took an interest, feel free to post comments at the bottom of my blog, Instagram etc. as a new blogger I would really like feedback!

Once I reach a certain number of views I am going to do a giveaway of my favourite product of that time to celebrate so could be anything from a lipstick to a shopping voucher for a store I'm in to!

So keep reading and hope you enjoy.

love from jessica x

Clinique Sonic

If you follow my instagram account (@jessslx), you will know that I recently purchased the Clinique Sonic Brush and thought that I would do a more detailed review for the people that would be interested in buying it themselves.

The Clinique Sonic Brush retails for £79.00 which is a lot cheaper than the Clarisonic. I brought mine from the airport, they are £70 so a £9 saving, or there is the brush that comes with the entire 3-Step skincare range which I purchased for just £80! So if you are jetting off make sure you take advantage of this great deal! (I know, thank me later).

  The brush is sonic which means it vibrates the bristles to clean deep into your pores and helps regenerate new skin cells giving you a brighter complexion.  Clinique recommend you replace the brush head every 3 months and they cost £17 for a new one.  You can buy the normal brush head or an anti-blemish solutions one for a deeper clean.  The brush head is split in two sections, the white bristles you move in a circular motion across your cheeks and the green section you tilt forward and use in a up and down motion for you T-zone.  The brush itself is a great size especially for travelling and storage. To charge you simply pop the brush into a sort of docking station and it charges magnetically.  The only negative comment about the charging is its USB, which is fine if you have an iPhone charger or something similar to connect the USB, but otherwise I don't fancy attaching it to my laptop any time soon.  When fully charge it lasts 3 hours which is quite a while considering you only use it for a few minutes a day. Its boxed up similarly to the majority of the Clinique range and comes with the instructions to guide you through.  The recommended time of use is 30 seconds twice a day and eventually build it up to 1 minute. It is waterproof but I assume shower use, I wouldn't recommend submerging it into the bath...

OK,  so here is what I thought.

I have got really oily skin all over and suffer with blocked pores which can look almost bumpy in certain lights. I have the odd severe blemish come up but usually when I've ate crap for a while or let my routine slide.

I started using the brush for 30 seconds, twice a day as recommended but just felt like I needed more so upped it to a minute pretty much straight away.  At first my skin broke out and I wanted to throw it in the bin (or at the wall) but like all skincare we all know that you must persevere! After a week I started seeing really good results, my skin was visibly fresher and smooth to look at.  My skin was so soft and the majority of blocked pores were clear.  I love how well my makeup settles on my face since I've been using it and couldn't believe how much make-up was still left on when using the brush on an evening when I thought I'd got it all off!  I would suggest using the 3-Step Clinique Skincare Range, I'm type 3 for oily skin, but pop into the nearest Clinique counter, they will map your skin and help you decide what products best suit you.  

Since my skin has improved so much my fiance really wanted to try mine but if you're anything like me, there is no way I'm sharing! So I did a little researched and found they actually do a men's version! The sonic brush is a black/charcoal colour with a different head type designed for male skin as it is a lot thicker than women's. But why buy another brush when you can just buy the men's version brush head and just swap it on the same device! 

If you are at a loss with your skin and feel like nothing is working then I would definitely recommend the Clinique Sonic Brush.

love from jessica x