1920's Glamour: makeup tutorial

Hi everyone! I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and New Year. I hope to make posts on a more regular basis from now on so please stay tuned! My first makeup tutorial of the year will be a fun look which I wore on New Years for a 1920's Flapper themed party. I received a gorgeous makeup palette by e.l.f for Christmas which I've been using non-stop over the holidays and I've incorporated many of the shadows into this look. I really love how smooth the shadows are; they are very silky and light to touch. I had fun creating this look and decided to share it with my fellow bloggers and makeup lovers. 

Products used:

• 32 piece eyeshadow palette by e.l.f
• Manicare Beauty Essentials Stippling brush
• Manicare Beauty Essentials Angle brush
• Flat shader brush by MAC
• Eyeshadow primer in 'Sheer' by e.l.f
• High Brow definition kit by BeautyUK
• Fabulous Lash mascara

 This has become one of my favourite palettes because there is such a great variety of matte and satin shades. The colours are warm and neutral and I've gotten so much use out of this palette already. It includes a handy sponge tip applicator and mirror, as well as a matte black and vanilla highlight. I highly recommend this product to anyone who is looking for a day-time/everyday-wear palette.

 Essential brushes: The stippling brush helps my foundation last alot longer because the soft, sparse hairs evenly distribute the product over the face, meaning only a tiny bit of product is needed. The end result is a smooth and flawless finish. If heavier coverage is needed, then the product can easily be built up using this brush without that awful feeling of looking 'cakey'. The angled brush allows me to line my lash line neatly and precisely, and also makes winging out eyeliner so much easier. Finally, the flat shader brush packs on shadow with minimum fall out, making application of shadows quick and simple.

 I started off by priming my lids with e.l.f's eyeshadow primer in 'Sheer' to make the shadows last all night without creasing. I then applied a wash of baby pink, shimmery shadow all over the lid. (I decided to experiment with sparkly satins because they are more appropriate for the holiday season!) I then took a medium plum shade and worked this into the crease to make the eyes more intense. I blended this colour out with a clean, fluffy brush and a rose gold colour to create a soft edge and to add some extra sparkle. To add further depth, I reapplied the plum shade into the outer 'v' of my lid to make the look more smokey and flapper-like. To finish off the shadows, I selected a shimmery champagne shade and applied this to both the inner corners and centre of the lids to make the eyes brighter and more light-reflecting.

 I found that using gel liner was too heavy for this look, so instead I opted for a black pencil. I lined my upper and lower lash lines with this pencil and set this with a matte black shadow (this helps prevent smudging and also softens the look). To balance the eyes, I blended the plum shadow onto my lower lash line which creates the more distinguished 'smokey-eye' look that is associated with flapper eye-makeup. Finally, I curled my eyelashes and applied a generous coat of black mascara. To really dramatize the eyes, you could add some falsies!

 I chose eyeshadow colours which would compliment the colour of my gold-flecked, pink dress (which I purchased from a River Island sale for £7!) I paired this with simple black leggins and nude heels. To accessorise, I chose a statement waterfall necklace and sweet, golden gem earrings.

 I gathered my hair into a messy side-bun, tugging at strands to make it big and voluminous. I purchased a cute lace headband from H&M for 99p and a feather/gem hair accessory for £3.99. By combining the two, I created a makeshift flapper-inspired hair piece which I was really happy with.

I kept my lips simple and understated by moisturising with Carmex cherry lip balm and applying a nude gloss. On my cheeks is a warm blush by Seventeen called 'Dusty Rose'. Here is the finished look!

Hope you enjoyed.

-Phil x

Christmas red berry: Wishlist outfit

Christmas red berry: Wishlist outfit by phillippahelen featuring a burberry wallet

Outfit of the Day: Autumn leaves

This outfit was inspired by the golding of the autumn leaves. (Cue the Thumbelina soundtrack- one of my favourite films for this time of year!) I absolutely adore the bow detail and sheer material of this blouse, making it casual yet elegant- an amazing find at the charity shop for only £1! I really like the colour combination and contrast of the snowwhite blouse paired with the russet trousers. 

Items listed below.

• Peacocks straight cut trousers
• Bow detail white blouse (charity shop)
• Bershka taupe platform heels
• Accessorize gold bird necklace & bangle
• Sekonda gold wristwatch
• Dorothy Perkins gold buckle bag 

Hope you enjoyed.

-Phil x

Look of the Day: my sister

I've always looked up to my sisters for fashion inspiration and admired their style. Today Danni was kind enough to let me photograph her wonderful outfit. I particularly love the use of colour blocking and the way she has layered different fabrics and textures. The vivid red and emerald green are completely appropriate colours for this frosty and festive season! She accented this outfit with simplistic gold jewellery and a matching golden iPhone case. 

• Topshop green bobble hat £14
• H&M platform sneakers £14.99
• H&M gold and black iPhone case £6
• Oversized denim shirt (charity shop, originally from The Gap)
• Red jacket (charity shop)
• Dorothy Perkins bag £30

Hope you enjoyed this slightly different post, and big thanks to Danni!

-Phil x

'Enchanting Dawn' makeup look

This morning I woke up early to photograph this stunning sunrise on the 1st of the Christmas month. The sky was on fire, melting into the tenderest of blues and purples. The colours were so vivid that I was inspired to create this enchanting look. Using luxurious satin shades, I tried to capture the spendor of a crisp, winter dawn. 

Products used:

• Coastal Scents 252 Eyeshadow Palette 
• Monella Paris cream eyeshadow base in 'Teal' 
• Miss Sporty mascara in 'Black 01'
• Rimmel black liquid liner

 I began by applying a creamy eyeshadow base all over the lid to create a smooth canvas for my eyeshadows to stick to. For this, I used a shimmering teal colour which really helped enhance the colours' vibrancy, making them true to their pigmentation. To resemble the sky peeking through the clouds, I used a light bluebell colour and applied this to the inner third of the lid. I then selected a bright violet shade and blended this just above my crease. Using a fluffy brush, I blended away, making the colours soft to resemble the feathery clouds.

 In the photographs that I took, I loved the colour contrast between the silhouetted trees and the burning sky. For this reason, I needed to add depth and a hint of darkness to the look. Therefore I selected a dark, midnight blue colour and focused this in the crease. I blended well so that the blue and purple tones melted together to create a hazy and misty effect, resembling the thick fog surrounding the trees. For a pop of colour, I dusted a romantic pink colour on the outer edges which reminds me of cotton candy clouds.

 I was mesmerised by the sunflower golds and auburn flames which engulfed the sky, and felt this colour had to be incorporated. In the centre of the lid, I applied a shining marigold colour to resemble the rising sun, which adds a warm dimension to the cool tones used. I lined my lower lash line with a black eyeliner and applied some of the deep, blue shadow to balance the eyes. Finally, I used a white eyeliner to highlight my inner corners and layered this with a sparkling grey/white. I used this icy colour to reflect the frosty season, and I love how this instantly brightens up the look.

I used Rimmel's black liquid liner to line my upper lash line; I began with a thin line and gradually thickened it out towards the outer lid which I winged out to create larger looking eyes. I then went back in with the indigo shadow to really emphasise that intense burst of colour. To finish off, I curled my eyelashes and applied two coats of black mascara. 

This necklace is the perfect accessory to compliment this look, it matches flawlessly! The purple stone has fragments of every gorgeous colour that I've incorporated into the eye makeup. My boyfriend bought this for me as a gift and I absolutely adore it.

The eyes are the key element of this look, reflecting the colours of a cool, winters sunrise. For this reason, I kept my lips and cheeks minimal and understated. I dusted a light bronzer on the hollows of my cheeks to warm my complexion, and applied Natural Collections neutral lipgloss in 'Pearl barley'

Quite a breathtaking view to have from my bedroom window! Happy December.

-Phil x

Hair tutorial for long hair: Simple elegant twist

This is one of my favourite hairstyles for day time because it is cute, casual and only takes 3 minutes! I always get compliments on this style because the 'twist' looks elegant and puts a modern shake on the everyday pony-tail. This style looks great with both curly and straight hair, for this look I decided to put some large loose curls through my hair to add texture and volume. 

Firstly I gathered my hair to one side and tied it into a low, loose pony tail. I then split the hair (above the hair tie) into two sections, and pulled the pony tail through the top to create a topsy-turvy twist. I lightly tugged at the hair to add volume and make the style look more effortless and casual. Finally I applied some heat protectant spray and used my John Frieda curling tongs to add some waves and texture. Dress this look up with a flower accessory and voila!  

-Phil x