London Retro glasses review + international giveaway

You may remember that I did a challenge for Boots back in September about national eye health care week where I took photos throughout a whole day, and also did an eye test. If you don’t remember, you can refresh your memory here.

Anyway… so I took an eye test and my sight is a little bit off so I don’t really need glasses, but the optician suggested I get a pair for work since I sit in front of a computer all day. I tried on a few pairs, but didn’t really find any that I liked. 

A month or so ago I was pleasantly surprised when MyOptique offered me a pair of prescription glasses from their new London Retro collection to review. The brand London Retro is just like it sounds; retro shapes inspired by our UK capital. The latest ‘Metropolitan’ collection has taken its names from London underground stations, and includes shapes such as the typical 60’s cat eyes, and 70’s aviator style glasses. The collection is quite neutral and you’ll see a lot of the same styles in both the women’s and men’s collections. To tell you the truth I actually chose my pair from the men’s collection.  

The glasses come in a high quality, hard leather case in dark brown, and the lenses I chose are transition lenses – meaning they’ll stay clear whilst indoors, but when the sun comes out they gradually go darker, depending on the amount of UV light.

I put them to the test and wore them outside on a sunny day and they went really black. So nothing to complain about there ;)

 

Now to the best part… 

MyOptique has asked me to arrange a GIVEAWAY for you lovely readers, and it’s international!

The prize is any pair of London Retro glasses with or without prescription, and either with clear lenses or as sunglasses.

What are you waiting for?

Just enter via the Rafflecopter widget below – the more entry options you do, the higher the chance to win!

Good luck to you all!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Polka dots and denim

Casual day, and I'm sporting some new wardrobe additions - 3 to be exact.

First up is this oversized denim shirt in a light washed colour. I bought it at H&M the other day, and I was quite intrigued by it. When I actually came home and took it out of the shopping bag I didn't really know what to match it with though. 

I found there are 2 main ways to wear it; buttoned up with an added waist belt so that it looks like a dress, or completely open with a long vest top underneath so that it works more like a cardigan or jacket. As you can see I opted for the first option for this outfit.

Next up are these short boots from New Look. I got them at a bargain price of £10 in the sale. Not bad! I had been looking for a pair leather effect ankle boots in a lighter hue for spring, and these are just the perfect find.

The blue scarf with sugar skulls was a gift from Ella Bella scarves. Ella Bella scarves is a new start-up company by working mum Danielle. She started this project to feel like herself again, as she didn't just want to be classed as a mum or a normal "worker". She says:

-"I handpick my scarves from a number of suppliers, choosing designs I love. I usually only buy small volumes so that I can keep rotating designs and keep it fresh. It also gives a sense of exclusivity."

If you're interested in purchasing one of her scarves you can now get a discount! Enter the voucher code INFATUATION at the checkout, and you'll get free P&P) expires 31st March).

To be a little bit creative I've tried to match this week's nail polish with the scarf - what do you think of my dark blue nails with white polka dots?

Professional makeup brushes from Nanshy

I recently received a set of brushes from the up and coming brand Nanshy.The company is quite new on the market, but offers something rather unique; professional makeup brushes that are completely cruelty free. Lots of companies claim that no animal was hurt in the making of their products, but how can you be entirely sure when their products are made of animal hair? Nanshy's brushes are made completely out of synthetic materials, but rather than feeling plasticy, they feel just as smooth as any other professional makeup brushes I've tried.

 

There are 5 different brushes in the foundation brush set, but the 3 I've been using are these ones - one for liquid foundation, one for mineral powder foundation, and one for blusher.

Another thing that makes these brushes different from other brands are the ergonomic handles, that make it really easy to use them.

First up is the liquid foundation, and I've used the pointy brush for that, seeing as it will easily reach every part of my face, inclusing around the nose and my eyelids. Although some of the foundation will always end up in the brush rather than on your face, I still felt as if I didn't have to use as much foundation when applying it with this brush, and the result was really even.

For your mineral powder foundation you want to use a Kabuki brush. These can either come with a rounded or a flat top. I tried them both, but found that there was less spill with the rounded one. A Kabuki brush is ideal for mineral powder foundations as they are really firm - which you'll need seeing as you're supposed to apply it with circular movements into your pores.

For your blusher it's best to use an angled brush - it will create the right effect. As well as being angled this brush is also narrower at the top, which is supposed to prevent you from applying too much blusher at the top of your cheekbone. 

And the result? An even layer of makeup which gives a bit of an airbrushed effect.

I'm very impressed with these so called "vegan" brushes, and would definitely recommend them. I've only really used makeup brushes with animal hair before - mostly because of the lack of other materials in professional brushes, and because other synthetic brushes are too cheap and plasticy. I'm glad Nanshy brushes are now on the market, and that I was introduced to this brand. 

Thank you so much for gifting me with this wonderful set!
If you'd like a set of your own you can purchase these 5 brushes at Nanshy's retailer Beauty Store 4U for £34.95.