Wednesday: Woman-crush

Wednesday posts will consist of me picking a 'woman-crush' and analysing her look. Each week I will pick one of my icons and look at what she wears, research her beauty secrets and show you how you can recreate her style with a few essentials. I will also consider taking requests for this post so email me with any ideas of a 'woman-crush' at perfect-that-pout@hotmail.co.uk 

Woman-crush: Kim Kardashian

To kick start this new style of post I had to choose my biggest inspiration, no debate it's Miss Kim Kardashian! I have been extremely inspired by her for a number of years and not just the way she dresses. I adore her fabulous style, her flawless make-up, her sleek hair and her glamorous accessories. Not only am I inspired by her but her whole family offer inspiration for my style and I'm constantly incorporating their looks into my own; I'm all for taking inspiration but it's important to be yourself too!

The first step in taking inspiration from an icon is by looking at what they wear, here is a collage of outfits and beauty styles by Kim that have particularly inspire me...

The next step is to realize what it is that I love about these things so here's a closer analysis of an outfit and a make up look that I adore...

I love this outfit for so many different reasons, its included so many aspects of fashion that I love and is one image that I have based my style around. To start off with I love the colour palette - black & gold, very simplistic, very chic. I like that she has paired a very simple black vest with a fitted blazer as it is very minimalist but also effortlessly gorgeous. I like the silhouette of the blazer as it is shapely and flattering. I adore her leather trouser (I bought a very similar pair from H&M) they're very modern and extremely fierce. I like her shoes as they are edgier than a pair of black pumps, they also add personality to her outfit, She has accessorized this look well with an oversized, black tote bag which can hold all of her essentials and completes the look. I like her large black sunglasses as they offer mystery to the ensemble. Finally I love that she threw on a simple gold chain, it is a point of interest as it is a pop of colour and is also quite an elegant touch as it brightens the outfit. This is an outfit that could be worn out shopping, to college or for a lunch date with a friend. It screams sophistication, edginess and style. It's a simple outfit to create that ensures a large impact.

Kim tries out a wonder of new trends (and rocks each and every one of them) but my absolute favourite is her usual smokey eye and nude lip look. This is Kim Kardashian trade mark and its flawless. First of all her skin is perfect, she has a flawless base to begin with and her skins appears to glow. Her blusher and bronzer play an important part in her look as they give her bone structure definition and show of those gorgeous cheek bones. Her eyes are perfectly lined here and the abundance of lashes give a flirty, feminine look. Her large brown eyes are complemented wondrously by her perfectly matched eye shadow, She keeps her eyebrows simple and light, this is often something people get wrong as they make them too dark but Kim knows to keep them simple and allow them to frame her face beautifully. She keeps her lips nude in order to draw attention to the eyes and cheeks which has a very sophisticated feel to it. Finally she uses highlighter to accentuate key features such as her nose and cheekbones.

Next it's time for some research, it's important to look up things advice given by your icon as it's likely they've shared interesting secrets and tips about fashion and beauty. Here are my favourite tips that Miss Kardashian has shared...

1. Take off your Make Up
This is an important tip as taking your make up off each night allows your skin to breathe. By leaving it on you will block your pores and this can cause unwanted spots. Kim likes to use Neutrogena Make Up Remover Cleansing Towelettes in Night Calming













2. Create Contours
Kim's cheekbones are a focal point of her face due to how gorgeous they are. Her bone structure appears flawless, you can achieve this by using Kim's clever contouring trick. Start with foundation and then apply your powder. Next apply concealer all over you cheeks, make a tree shape on your nose allow down your nose to be the trunk and where your nose meets your forehead the leaves, add a little concealer to your chin. Then using an egg shaped brush blend it all in. Now use a matte bronzer -Kim says important to use one without sparkle - and contour in a 3 shape either side of your face. Start on your cheek bones, work down to your chin and then up to your forehead. Kim's favourite bronzer is is Smashbox Bright Lights in Suntan Matte

3. Max Out Your Lashes
Kim believes that it is important to maximise your eyelashes and claims that her long lashes run in the family. She swears by Lancome Doll Lashes and MAC Zoom Fast Black Lash Mascara to create her full lash look. She says it's all about using different mascaras and taking your time when applying each mascara.

4. Keep Your Nails Filed
Kim carries a nail file with her everywhere she goes as she says it's important that her nails are kept in a perfectly rounded square shape at all times. When having them manicured she often files them herself to get them just the way she likes them! Even claiming that she is 'OCD' about her nails!

5. Keep Skin Smooth
Finally Kim believes that keeping your skin smooth is a must. She heads to a Korean Spa in downtown LA in order to exfoliate and remove spray tan from her body which keeps her skin looking fresh and radiant.

Here are 3 purse-friendly beauty products essential for trying out Kim's look...

1. Lash extending Mascara


Max Factor Mascara Wild Mega Lash Black £6.99 Superdrug

2. Matte Bronzer


Collection 2000 Bronze Glow Face & Body Bronzer Sunkissed £3.99 Superdrug

3. Highlighter


Accessorize Shimmer Block Highlighter £6.95 Superdrug 

Finally here are my top 3 things you need to recreate her style in your everyday wardrobe..

1. Fitted blazer

$55 Dorothy Perkins

2. Heels

£20 New look 

3. Oversized bag

£30 Pull & Bear 

I hope this post has inspired you and has given you insight into Kim Kardashian's style and how easy it is to incorporate it into your everyday look!
Love Dixie
:) xox

Summer survival guide

The summer's here! That means days on the beach, tanning in the garden, chasing the ice-dream man, delicious BBQ's, fun outdoor parties, stunning summer weddings... The list goes on. Summer is my favourite season due to the bright coloured bikinis, the carefree vibe of clothing and that feeling of slipping on a brand new summer dress over sun-kissed skin. As a teenage girl I adore all the things that come with this wonderful season. Here's my guide to summer, enjoy!

Fashion & Beauty

It's important to be prepared for the season and even more important to look good whilst doing so! Here's a list of what I feel are absolute musts this season, 

Sunglasses

Cute dress

Short shorts

Bandeau/Bralet

Hot bikini

Lipgloss

Bright nail polish

Floral/fruity perfume

Anklets

Floral hair chain

Dry/damaged hair shampoo & conditioner

Sorry the text has appeared a little blurry it says 'Dixieplumpixie 100% recommends I'm not going to bother showing other variations of shampoo and conditioner for dry and damaged hair. I give full marks to these beauties - expect a full review later!'

Music

During the summertime it's important to have a sweet playlist ready for whatever the occasion, whether it's to entertain you as you travel from one adventure to the next or to entertain all of your guests at a BBQ. I've complied a list of my favourite songs that have a guaranteed spot on my summer playlist, my music taste is not too mainstream so be warned there may be some odd ones in there! 

1. All That Jazz - Glee version 
2. American Boy - Estelle ft Kanye West
3. The Baa Baa Song  - The Wombats 
4. Baby Fratelli - The Fratellis
5. Bad Kids - The Black Lips
6. Cape Cod Kwassa - Vampire Weekend
7. Chelsea Dagger - The Fratellis
8. Countdown - Beyonce
9. Dance Dance - Fall Out Boy
10. Don't Leave Me (Ne Me Quitte Pas) - Regina Spektor
11. A Heady Tale - The Fratellis
12. Hey Porshce - Nelly 
13. Hey Soul Sister - The Warblers
14. Hit me with your best shot/One way or another mash up - Glee Cast
15. Hold Me - Tom Odell
16. I Love You, Ono - Stereo Total
17. Ignition - R Kelly
18. Last Time - Labrinth 
19. Lolita - Lana Del Rey
20. Look Out Sunshine - The Fratellis
21. Love Song - Glee Version
22. Moi Je Joue - Brigitte Bardot 
23. Naive - The Kooks
24. New Shoes - Paolo Nutini
25. Ooh La - The Kooks
26. Primadonna - Marina and The Diamonds
27. Rhythm Of Love - Plain White T's 
28. Ride - Lana Del Rey 
29. Same Jeans - The View
30. Summerboy - Lady Gaga
31. Sweet Dispostion - The Temper Trap
32. Teenage Dream - The Warblers
33. Tell Him - Glee Version 
34. Theme Park Blues - The Wombats
35. This Ain't A Scene - Fall Out Boy
36. This Is Love - Will.I.Am ft. Eva Simons
37. This Is What Makes Us Girls - Lana Del Rey
38. Trampolining - The Wombats 
39. Twilight - Cover Drive
40. Where Have You Been - Rihanna 
41. Weightless - All Time Low
42. You and I - Lady Gaga
43. (You Gotta) Fight For Your Right (To Party) - Beastie Boys

Activities 

With such a long time off of school/college it's easy to get bored but with this list of things to do you'll never be bored. Why not try and do at least one of these a week so you'll have a fun-filled summer.

1. Go to the beach with friends/family
2. Have a shopping day 
3. Get together with your best friends and enjoy a pamper day
4. Host a BBQ
5. Go to a music festival
6. Have a camp out
7. Visit a theme park
8. Hold a movie night
9. Hit the gym
10. Try ice-skating
11. Go bowling
12. Have a picnic
13. Visit London (Or your own capital city)
14. Explore somewhere new with friends e.g. hop on the train and explore a new city 
15. Organise a party (e.g. Bodyshop, jewelry etc.)
16. Have a baking day 
17. Visit cute little towns
18. Go to an Ice-cream parlour
19. Go to the zoo 
20. Spend the day at a country park with friends/family 

This year my holidays are around 10 weeks instead of 6 as I've finished secondary school, I'm using this time to not only have a great social summer but to enhance my skills, why not try a new hobby? This year I'm going to:

• Work out
• Teach myself French
• Learn to play the piano 
• Write a novel (I'm currently on chapter 3) 

I hope you enjoyed this post!
Love Dixie
:) xox

Must see product range: Revlon PhotoReady

As a make-up junkie the thing most important to me is a flawless base for gorgeous new styles of make-up. I am constantly on the hunt for the perfect foundation to give me a smooth, even base that doesn't look cakey or orange, but natural with a hint of photo-shopped perfection that is within budget. Revlon may have made that hunt a success with their new PhotoReady range...

Revlon PhotoReady Face Perfecting Primer - £11.99

The first step in creating the perfect base is to use a primer, this sets a fresh base to apply your make-up and keeps it on longer. Revlon's PhotoReady primer smooth and softens skin to create the perfect canvas. It also reduces the appearance of pores and fine lines.

Revlon PhotoReady Airbrush Mousse Foundation - £12.99

The next step is a layer of foundation to create an even finish. This mousse formula foundation contains 'photochromatic pigments' that are supposed to minimise the appearance of flaws for a smooth poreless look. It comes in a range of 8 colours so you can find your perfect shade.

Revlon PhotoReady Eye Primer & Brightener - £9.99

The final step in creating a flawless base is the eye primer and brightener which can be used anywhere on the face for an instant pick-me-up. It brightens areas of the skin which gives you a glowing look.

I am hoping to purchase these products soon so I can see for myself what these products are like and put them to the test and see if the truly give a PhotoReady look

Love Dixie
:) xox

My March Beauty wishlist 2012

This is a new idea I have had, every month I will post a current Fashion and then a separate Beauty wishlist. It will consist of 10 new products, accessories or garments that I would love to own, they will consist of designer and high street things (Fashion wishlist) or Drugstore or high end products (Beauty wishlist), enjoy :)

Number one - MUA BB cream £4
 
I have already written a blog post about this new product, So I will sum it up in a few sentences. The BB cream is supposedly a foundation, concealer and primer all in one, it comes in three shades light, medium and dark. Two shades can be blended together to create a tone perfect for you. I can't wait to try this because BB creams are currently filling up the shelves, and the MUA BB cream is a cheap way to join in with this trend.

Number two - Rimmel Wake me up foundation £6

I saw this foundation advertised and thought it looked pretty good, I got some testers in a few magazines and I loved the way it felt on my skin, almost as though I'm not wearing any foundation, however sadly the testers were not my shade :( So I will hopefully pop into the nearest Superdrug or Boots during the half term and find the perfect shade for me. The foundation includes SPF 15 which is good for protecting your skin against the sun on a daily basis, also it contains illuminating radiant pearls to enhance a natural glow.


Number three - Nicki and Ricky for viva glam MAC £13.50

Again, I have already made a post about this product but it absolutely has to be in my wishlist because it is almost perfect. It is created by MAC, one of my favourite make up brands worldwide, it is a viva glam products therefore the profits go to a charity which provides help and research for those suffering from AIDS, It is Nicki Minaj and I love all things Nicki Minaj, and Finally The colour is amazing, a bright pink that will look gorgeous with smokey eyes or a natural look. I cannot give this product enough praise!


Number four - Rimmel waterproof gel liner £5-£7

This Gel liner is definitely something I want to try out, I have never used a gel liner before and I am quite excited to. the advantage of a gel liner is that you have greater control over the lines and it isn't as runny as liquid liner but it is smoother than kohl pencil. This particular gel liner is good because Rimmel is a well trusted brand that offers good quality products at a reasonable price, also the applicator is the lid which I think is a really good idea. Therefore this product makes it on to my wishlist

Number five - Maybelline dream nude airfoam foundation £6-8

This product makes it onto my wishlist because it's original. I haven't seen a foundation like this. This foundation is advertised as weightless, I think this is second most important factor of a foundation (First being that it looks natural) because if I'm wearing a foundation that feels thick and cakey I don't feel confident. Due to the fine pigments in the formula it gives a perfect natural look and also has SPF 16 included in the formula.
Number six - Maybelline the falsies volum' express flared mascara £6-8

All of the reviews I have read about this mascara say amazing things about it, I have heard it isn't flakey, it maintains full looking lashes throughout the day and it makes even the dullest of lashes seem bright and curled. The packaging is very cute with the pair of little angel wings on the lid and I love the colour of the bottle.

Number seven - Chanel Le Vernis Nail polish in shade Distraction £17.50

This shade especially for Spring/Summer 2012 is gorgeous! Chanel nail polishes are renowned for their high quality finish and gorgeous limited edition colours and this shade looks as though it will definitely live up to expectations. The shade 'distraction' is very in this season and would look great matching one colour from a bright floral top or clashing with a pastel toned ensemble.

Number eight - MAC Haute and Naughty lash £18

This MAC mascara looks absolutely gorgeous. First of all the packaging is so cute, both of my favourite colours (pink and purple) and included on the bottle, I love the glittery purple section! Second of all the mascara is good value as you are getting almost two in one, you can choose whether you want natural or dramatic lashes and then use the appropriate wand. The idea of this product is genius! I have heard and read many reviews about this product and people only have good things to say about it, that's why this mascara has made it on my wishlist.
Number nine - NARS Pro Prime Multi-Protect primer £24

I have never tried or even held a NARS product, not because I dislike them or anything like that it's simply the fact they are not within my budget or reach. However this primer has some amazing reviews and was recently rated 5 stars and the best primer in the Beauty tester section of 2nd April 2012 NOW magazine, the tester stated 'my make up looked as fresh in the evening as it did in the morning' I have never used a primer and this to me does sound like a worthwhile investment, the aim of a primer is to allow your make up to not only stay on all day but to be applied to the skin easily without clogging pores and the reviews on this primer tell me it does just that.

Number ten - Sephora Moonshadow baked palette - In the nude $50

This palette is a luxurious piece of heaven. The colours in this are extravagant, the quality is divine and the uses of this palette are endless. I am totally and endlessly in love with this palette and I saved it until last on my wishlist because it is my absolute favourite. With the colours in this palette you could create a natural look enhancing the colours and angles of your eyes or you could create a bold look using some of the tones. If I could only use one palette for the rest of my life I would most definitely choose this one. The reason I do not already own this gorgeous palette is that the brand 'Sephora' is not accessible in the United Kingdom :( So until I finally go to America I am palette-less :( However to end on a positive note one day I shall own this marvellous palette and when I do I will review it to it's true glory!

I hope you have enjoyed my beauty wishlist of March 2012! Hopefully this will become a monthly post if it gets positive feedback.
Love Dixie
:) xoxo

Beauty haul 10/03/2012

On Saturday 10th March, I decided to pick up a few essential repurchases and a few little treats :) Check out what they were...

First (and my favourite) Store - Superdrug

Superdrug is my favourite because it stocks some of my absolute favourite brands and the prices are affordable, anyway, let the haul commence :)

First product - MUA Matt-finish eyeshadow Shade 20 £1

 

  This is an absolutely gorgeous colour, I was looking for a matte black shade to use on my upper lash line to define my eyes and I was using shade 4 from the immaculate collection palette by MUA, however I found that although the shade was perfect it was not very portable as it is part of a palette so I decided to purchase a single eyeshadow and shade 20 was exactly what i was looking for. It is highly pigmented and blends so easily, for only £1 you can't go wrong!

Second product - MUA Mosaic Bronzer  Shade 1 - Natural Glow £2.50

 This is a repurchase as my other bronzer was nearly finished and it shattered because I dropped it :( However, this is an absolutely wonderful bronzer, it looks more browny/orangey toned in real-life and applies so easily. You can build the colour up for a dramatic look or apply one sweep for a 'natural glow.' Also due to the mosaic effect you can also use a single 'tile' as neutral eyeshadow, two products in one! For £2.50 I think this a brilliant bronzer and will leave you looking sun-kissed, I definitely recommend this product.

Third product - MUA Love hearts nail varnish 'I WANT U' £2

This is my second love heart nail polish - my first was 'U R FAB, a light claret tone - After using my first one, I had to buy some more, the colour is bright and eye catching. Although two coats is necessary for a full colour effect, it was still an amazing purchase. Whilst writing this post I'm wearing this shade on most of my nails and shade ' U & I' on both of ring fingers, looking at the bright colours remind me that summer is coming and makes me happy :) The Nail polish applies easily and dries quickly, definitely a great purchase.

Fourth product - MUA Love hearts nail varnish 'U & I' £2 

This is my third nail varnish from the love hearts collection and I love it, the colour is a bit brighter than it looks after layering it twice. A very sunny colour that looks gorgeous next to the orange shade ' I WANT U' Not only do I love the actual product but the packaging is adorable, with cute loveheart sweet-style messages on the top of the bottle and the love hearts logo printed on the bottle these make a cute addition to any nail varnish collection or an adorable gift for a friend. 

The next store I went to was Boots (by this time I had spent all of my money so I am now borrowing money from my best friend). My best friend and I discovered an amazing deal, all 'Frontcover' products had 75% off, We had a quick browse through the small stand and I decided on these gorgeous products...

First product - Front cover to go 'Powder Puff' powder eyeshadow £4 reduced to £1

First of all I would like to apologise for the poor quality of the picture, my Camera is broken so I am using my horrendously rubbish web cam :s Anyway on to the product, at a price of £4 I wouldn't of picked this up normally as MUA probably stock a much similar shade, however at its discounted price of £1 I thought this was very good quality. Before purchasing I tested the shade on my hand and it was gorgeous, it leaves a little colour and a little shimmer, I thought this shade would be perfect for highlighting the brow bone. 

Second product - Front cover to go 'Frosted Almond' powder eyeshadow £4 reduced to £1 

This shade looks slightly more gold in real life, and a bit more shimmery. After testing this shade and 'Powder Puff' together I saw how well they went together and decided to buy this one too, the two shades together create a natural eye look, but also give a hint of shimmer. I would use this colour all over the lid. These eye shadows are still in their packaging (as I am filming a haul later), to add these colours to a front cover palette, you open it up to get the small black square and pop that into a hole in the palette, you can fit four shades in a palette. 

Third product - Front cover to go ' Baked Bronze' powder eyeshadow £4 reduced to £1

 Originally, I wasn't going to purchase this shade as I wanted a darker tone, I found a gorgeous shade named 'Burnt Toast' in the tester section but they had sold out, so I went for this shade instead, the actual colour is a bit lighter in person, but is still gorgeous. Much like the other shades it is relatively shimmery. I would use this tone to line my upper lash line, whilst using shades 'Powder Puff' and 'Frosted Almond' also, this would give a perfect natural yet shimmery look, this could be worn everyday as a casual look. 

I also went to Savers to pick up a couple of essentials

First product - 'MUST' (savers own brand) Slant tweezers £1

Again, I apologise for the bad quality, but you get the idea, simple black, slanted tweezers. I find slanted tweezers much more easier to use. 

Second product - 3 In 1 Self Tan Applicator Mitt £1

 The mitt is double sided, the side visible is a white sponge-like material, the opposite side is a khaki coloured velvet like material, inside the mitt, a pair of black latex gloves are stored.The mitt supposedly can be used to exfoliate, apply tan and buff skin, however I will just be using it too apply the tan. I have never used one of these before and I decided on this one because it only £1, I will trial it and possibly review it 

This concludes my Beauty haul on 10/03/2012, Thank you for reading, I hope you enjoyed it, leave feedback 

Love Dixie 

:) xoxo