Thursday 22 May 2014

According to Ellie's First Giveaway!

So recently According to Ellie hit 100 followers on Bloglovin' and I was over the moon! So as a way of saying thank you to all you lovely readers, I wanted to arrange a giveaway. I have been meaning to organise this giveaway for weeks and have finally got round to it! I was then stuck with the challenge of choosing what to feature and as I am the most indecisive person ever this was not an easy task! I then thought I really wanted include products I have used, trust and love, so most of the items feature you can find a review for on my blog! I hope the lucky winner will love & enjoy these products as much as I do. So make sure you get your entry in!

You could win...
Argon Oil Shampoo & Conditioner, as reviewed. Along with a tub of Argon Oil hydrating hair mask. 
MUA pallette 'Undress me too' along with a brand new Body Shop eye shadow brush!
AND...a surprise gift!

Please note I can post to the UK only.
Good luck!


   Ellie

Thursday 15 May 2014

My Kiko Cosmetics Experience

Since moving to London my plan to save to money has gone down the drain, as you can imagine working within 20 minutes of regent and oxford street! I mean out of all the exits from oxford circus underground I happened to leave the one that lead me right in front of the TopShop entrance, you would have to be, well not a fashion or beauty blogger, to resist!  But whilst browsing down regent street the same day, I came across Kiko. The store, which I initially thought was MAC, looked so luxurious from the outside and as I'd never heard of the brand before I was very intrigued to have a nosy. And I can't believe what I've been missing out on, the range of products available and in such a vast variety of styles and colours is beyond what I could of hoped for. As I was new to the brand and so spoilt for choice, I thought it best to ask for some professional advice on what products would be good for me. The staff were all so friendly and helpful, and after chatting to someone for less than 5 minutes I had spontaneously booked myself in for a complimentary makeover. So when the time came I was welcomed by a lovely makeup artist, Matthew, who sat me down to discuss my usual makeup routine and what I wanted to get from the 45 minute session. At this point, awkwardly just as he had taken my make up off, the fire alarm went off! But luckily it was a false alarm so I was saved from showing my scary bare face to too many members of public. So Matthew continued by introducing me to the brand, Kiko. The fast growing brand which originates in Italy, and interestingly their products are also made in the same factory as MAC, explaining the similarities I noticed!  So on with the makeover and he began by asking for my opinion on some eye makeup he had picked out. He had chosen a goregous palette called Addictive Song, with orange and purpley hues which when applied was very complimentary of my skin tone and was still quite subtle! I would usually apply my eye makeup last but when Matthew was talking me through it it made so much more sense to do it before so that if you made any mistakes its easier to correct them. I'm sure some of you can relate with me in the frustration when you sneeze just after you've applied your mascara, or when poke yourself in the eye with the brush, an cry all your foundation off! Continuing with the eye makeup routine, using both a gel liner and pencil eyeliner in black, I also got shown the art of eyeliner flicks which I have forever been wanting to master so I couldn't thank him enough!  When it came to masacara I was so flattered when he said I needed no added no length so found me a really nice mascara, Luxurious Lashes in black, that gave my lashes natural definintion andvolume. To finish the eye makeup he then whapped out Kiko's Eyebrow Expert brow palette. Brow palettes are something I have never considered as I've always thought it was a  bit pointless using as I have really dark eyebrows, but it made such a difference I couldn't believe! Now the bit I had been looking forward to as he went on to select my perfect shade of foundation, asking my preferences on liquid, cream of powder so he was constantly focusing on my requirements. Using a stippling brush he applied the liquid hydration foundation which blended so well and matched my tone better than any other foundation I had used prior to this. I felt so silly that I hadn't asked for help before! The next product was the most gorgeous I have seen, with a marble effect and subtle shimmery pigments this limited edition bronzer in Sienna Melagne was amazing. With an angled brush he taught me how to contour, which I also thought would be so complicated but it is actually pretty simple. As part of the contouring look he used a lush highlighter stick with shimmery rosey tones that really caught the light on my cheekbones. For the final touch, lips, he first applied a lip primer base coat, one of those tingly products which I love, and then he brought over a lip liner pencil in Caffe Latte I have tried once before applying lip liner and failed miserably ending up looking like a drag queen, however I was in good hands so let him proceed. And with such precision he defined my lip line perfectly and filled with a matching nude lipstick in Natural Neige, a colour similar to what I already wear on a daily basis Kate Moss for Rimmel Shade 03. With my makeover complete I couldn't be happier with the look and it was time to pick some things to purchase, yippee! Even though I was beyond tempted and knew from the moment I walked in the shop that I wouldn't be leaving empty handed he didn't push me at all. He gladly let me browse and showed me where the products were that he used. I spent a total of £44, but to say in MAC this would get you maybe a lipstick and a foundation I came home with foundation, bronzer, highlighter, eyeliner AND a mascara.  They are all such lovely quality products, I will definitely be returning to try some new products in the future, and if you have not heard of the brand Kiko I strongly suggest you find your nearest store or check online, you can thank me later!




Have you heard of Kiko cosmetics before?
What do you think of there products?

Dont forget to click on the links within the post to see all of the Products Matthew used, and I will shortly be doing a follow up post on all of the gorgeous goodies that I bought, stay tuned by following me on Bloglovin'.

   Ellie

Tuesday 13 May 2014

Newcastle Fashion Week: Company Magazine Show

This weekend saw the start of NE1's Newcastle Fashion Week, with an exciting launch at The Assembly Rooms on the Friday night with special guest Sophie Ellis Bextor, an event I was invited to but sadly couldn't attend as I was on a 3 hour train journey from London to Newcastle in order to attend one of the shows the very next day, so I wasn't missing out too much! So the morning arrived and it was time to decide what to wear, typically the weather wasn't on my side but luckily I came prepared with a variety of outfit choices and opted for my favourite black Topshop jumpsuit which I wore with a royal blue blazer and accesorised with a quilted, vintage chain handle bag. 
We were warmly welcomed by the NFW fashion staff who showed us to our seats in the beautiful chandelier suite at The Assembly Rooms. After introductions from NFW marketing and events manager, Sandra Tang, Company magazine, and the unbelievable British womenswear fashion designer that is Julien Mcdonald, the audience were all very excited for the show to come. With looks from a huge range of high street and designer brands including Topshop, Miss Selfridge, Wallis, Lipsy, The White Company and so many more, I was in my element taking in all the fashion on the catwalk and felt a big shopping spree coming on, it was a very Carrie Bradshaw moment. 
After the show, and a cocktail or two in Bonbar next door, it was time for me to head home, it's a shame I can't attend all the other events throughout the week as they sound so exciting, but I look forward to hearing all about them from my fellow North East bloggers, have fun girls!











Have you heard of Newcastle week?
Are you planning on going to any of the upcoming events?

   Ellie

Friday 9 May 2014

Interning at Zoe Jordan: Blogger fashion shoot

For the past week I have been immersed in the behind the scenes action at the gorgeous Zoe Jordan studio. As part of my first week interning with this unique womenswear brand I was able to be a part of a street style photo shoot, which took place just round the corner from the studio in the picturesque borough of Chelsea. My role involved helping to style both the shots and the charming models, head to toe in pieces from both the Spring/Summer and Pre Spring/Summer 14 collections. What I love about these collections are the timeless, elegant shapes of the garments, be it tailored jackets and trousers or structured dresses and coats. Contrasting to this are the neon accents, modern textured fabrics and quirky graffiti prints which really make the collections what they are, and represent that 'Pretty Vandal' look perfectly.
As for Zoe Jordans upcoming collection, I am very excited to be a part of the process in the build up for London Fashion Week and cannot wait to share with you my whole experience in September.
Stay tuned!

The gorgeous Anna from Saltystorm.com

The lovely WenWen from stok3s.com



Pre SS14

SS14

What do you think of these looks?
Have you seen the latest Zoe Jordan collection 'Chicane'?
Visit zoe-jordan.com to see collection archives, to shop and explore the brand further.

  Ellie 


Tuesday 6 May 2014

Discovering London: Shoreditch, Spitalfields & Brick Lane

It's a new month, and for me, a new home, job and city as last weekend I ventured 5 hours south from Yorkshire London to start another internship in the fashion capital of the country. Whilst settling in I have done my fair bit of exploring, some of it unintentional due to the amount of times I've already got lost! However, intentionally, last Sunday I decided to go for a wonder through East London to discover the well talked about it, Shoreditch, Spitalfields and Brick Lane.
Door to door through Shoreditch and Brick Lane you will find a mixture of stylish independent shops that I spent my entire afternoon browsing in. Brick Lane and its surroundings has the greatest selection of quirky and cool vintage shops with so many iconic pieces and retro trends that you could easily fill your wardrobe of nostalgic items.
The gem of Shoreditch I would say is Boxpark, a unique pop up mall home to a number of fashion, arts and tech retailers that I felt were not so mainstream so it was refreshing to visit somewhere different. For all us beauty bloggers, you will be happy to know that Beauty Mart, a fab store selling a wide range of cosmetic brands that, has a pop up store there so you can pick up a great product for your next review! The upper level of Boxpark allows you to eat, drink and enjoy live music in the open air dining area which is gorgeous in the sun.
Even though I only spent an afternoon in the area I already feel like I have visited almost every market in London! Both Shoreditch and Spitalfields are renowned for their markets and I was interested to know why. Before long I found myself in a vast indoor space that was Spitalfields Old Market, which was full of individual market stalls with an eclectic variety of amazing hand made crafts, interior design, art, jewelry, and clothing, all perfect for a unique addition to your wardrobe and also a great for meaningful gifts, I left feeling inspired! And as if I wasn't content enough admiring all the crafts I was soon drooling over the array of cakes, chocolates and range of worldwide cuisines and delicacies. I can guarantee your mouth will be watering at the sight of it all!
After what seemed like 30 minutes, was actually 4 hours, and it was time for me to catch my train home, but I can safely say I will be returning and if any of you reading this who live near the area and have not yet been or those of you who are hoping to visit London soon, I really recommend you pay a visit if you have the time. You could most definitely spend most of your day, eating, drinking, browsing, and buying in this incredibly interesting area that I believe is a must do in East London.

Beauty Mart, Boxpark

Beauty Mart, Boxpark




Handcrafted leather watches, Shoreditch market

I thought these ice cream spoon cupcakes were so cute!

Quirky hancrafted jewellry, Shoreditch market,

Spitalfields old market

Look at the size of those meringues!


The prettiest chocolate I've ever seen

...and some more scrummy chocs

This place was queuing out the doors!

Brick Lane street art

Vintage galore, Brick Lane

Hanging decor stall, Brick Lane

Have you ever been to any of these places?
What did you think?

   Ellie