Above Knuckle Rings + NOTD

L-R: Models Own top coat, *Nails Inc Nail Jewellery in Diamond, Models Own Utopia

Today I am going to be sharing with you my favourite jewellery/nail combination! Let me start off with this nail varnish, possibly the most beautiful one out of my collection. Its a firm favourite of mine and has been for the past year. Its by a brand which I love, Models Own and is called Utopia. The name fits it perfectly. Its a stunning off white milky lilac, which is extremely fitting for summer. Not only is the colour gorgeous but the quality is also really good, in the picture below I applied two coats to achieve a nice opaque finish. To give it a little more "oomph" I have been added another favourite of mine by Nails Inc. This one is called Diamond and is a part of their Nail Jewellery collection, it's so stunning and you will constantly be looking at it whilst wearing it. Its a clear based varnish with  different sized chunks of holographic glitter, perfect to wear with any colour underneath. Now, this is an absolute bugger to get off as you can imagine with the reputation of glitter polish's, so I just apply it to my ring finger. To finish it off I applied the Models Own top coat. 

Now let me introduce to you my latest favourite jewellery pieces, above knuckle rings. I'm sure you have seen them everywhere because they are extremely popular. They aren't for everyone and I have had quite a lot of people ask about them. They are unusual and different, exactly why I like them. When it comes to jewellery I really like it to keep it basic and these are perfect for that. They add a little something and I think complete your outfit in a way. The ones on the left are from Wired Jewellery, which is an amazing website, there are so many other gorgeous pieces on there too. It's owned by a lovely lady called Faye who is just wonderful, she has also just started blogging and already it has become a favourite of mine. You can check her blog out here. I had been lusting after them for ages and finally took the plunge. She sells lots of different designs but I went for the classic plain bands. The one on the right has a twisted design and is from an online store called Shop Dixi which sells vintage, modern clothing as well as other accessories, it's a fab website!

L-R: Wired Jewellery plain band ring, Shop Dixi *twisted above knuckle ring

You can visit Wired Jewellery here & Shop Dixi here.

*PR Sample

iPhone Candy & Giveaway! (CLOSED)

Iconemesis iPhone Case, Flower by Pomme Chan

Recently I was kindly given the opportunity to pick a phone case from an amazing website called Iconemesis. This extremely cool website sells iPhone cases that have the most beautiful artwork from amazing designers. There is such a range meaning there is something to suit everyones personality, which I love. I'm not usually keen on iPhone cases but I love the idea of this. I picked this case, It's called Flower by an illustrator called Pomme Chan. I adore illustrations and I think that it's one of the things that attracted me. As well as that I love the mix of clashing bold colours, birds and flowers. I think  it's just beautiful and I am in love! It's very girly but "trendy" and sophisticated in a way. The case is extremely good quality too, so impressed. Therefore I am very happy to bring this competition to you :)

To enter the competition make sure you are following my blog by GFC and just pop below in  a comment what case you would pick if you won the competition, you can head to their website www.iconemesis.co.uk to take a look! As well as that give me your name and email address so I can contact you. I look forward to reading your entries and good luck!

The competition is now closed, thank you for all your entries!

The winner was the lovely Georgia at www.georgialoves-x.blogspot.co.uk:)

Combating My Breakout

Ren Invisible Pores Mask, Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish, 100% Pure Argan Oil, 

Boots Botanics Rosewater Toning Spritz, Lush Grease Lightening

Last week I was suffering with an extremely bad breakout. I'm not usually a spotty person and just get the odd one every now and then. But my chin was covered, my cheeks and forehead. So today I'm going to share with you how I got through it and the products that I feel really helped me. Lets start off with the Ren Invisible Pores Mask, this is an amazing product. Its very rare that you find a skincare product where you instantly see the difference. My skin was feeling very congested around my nose and this really helped to reduce my pores and lead to my skin feeling and looking much clearer. Because this is a clarifying mask I think this may have been the cause of my breakout, Which I'm okay with. It's quite a clarifying mask so I was kind of expecting it, I don't think it will happen every time I use it though. I picked this up from The Garden Pharmacy in Covent Garden, if you like french pharmacies you will love this place.

When It came to cleansing my face I wanted to use something that was gentle and soothing so I went for Liz Earle cleanse and polish, it provided both of those things as well as giving me a lovely deep cleanse. The muslin cloth ensured that I had removed any dead cells that may be clogging my spots. One of the ingredients in this is rosemary which is fantastic for calming down those angry spots, acting as an anti-inflammatory. I used this twice a day, taking my makeup off first with a gentle water cleanser to ensure I got a deeper cleanse. I changed the muslin cloth every second day, I would usually change it every third day but seeing as I was suffering with a breakout I wanted to be extra careful with hygiene. Full review of Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish here.

Once cleansing I then went on to use the Boots Botanics Rosewater Toning Spritz, this is generally a lovely product, making your skin feel refreshed and once again the rosewater also acts as an anti-inflammatory so all in all helping to calm those spots! I used this both morning and night. After using the toner I wanted to use a product that was actually going to fight the spots. Lush Grease Lightening has been a life saver for this! This is the main product that I think has really helped me, the ingredients include Rosemary, which once again is an anti inflammatory, thyme and tea tree which both act as an antibacterial and aloe vera which soothed the redness. When applying this I made sure that I didn't just apply it to the spot but also the surrounding area, this is so important because when you get a spot its also the surrounding area which has the bacteria, so treat all of it! I only used this product at night, and literally put layers of it on. I never used a night cream because I really wanted to use minimal products, making sure I didn't disturb the skin anymore. To ensure my skin didn't dry out I used Argan oil in the places where I'm prone to dryness. Full review of the Argan oil I used here. 

When it got to the point where the spots were gone and I was left with red marks I would then bring Argan oil into my routine. This is full of vitamin E and is excellent for repairing damaged skin and fading the red marks, ensuring that the healing process was faster and I wasn't left with nasty scars. Most importantly when going through this process I made sure I had clean hands whenever dealing with my skin, as well as trying not to touch my face. I also made sure that Whenever I did not need make-up I would take it off to let my skin breathe. Well done if you have got this far, its a long post but I thought if you're suffering too, you could pick up some of the tips that helped me!

What products do you turn to when you're suffering with a breakout?

Ray Ban Wayfarer

Hello me in the reflection!

In todays post I want to share with you my current favourite accessory! These are the new style Ray Ban wayfarers, they are a little smaller than the original. I have wanted these for years and years but always put off buying them for some strange reason. I finally took the plunge when ASOS were doing 25% off so I got them for under £100 which I don't think is too bad. Its a good investment because they are very good quality and will last me a long time. Plus they are a timeless style. I have never owned sunglasses before, I find it very difficult to find a pair that actually suit me. The originals of these just look ridiculously huge on me, I opted for the tortoise shell instead of black because they are a little less harsh. I know it may sound silly but a nice pair of sunglasses can completely transform a plain basic outfit, which I seem to go for most of the time!

This photo is from Instagram, if you want to follow me on it my username is jessicafrench_

My Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish Experience

*Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish

Ever since I have started blogging this is a product that has been raved about none stop. I think its pretty amazing that to this day its still being raved about holding a special place in pretty much everyones hearts. Now, I have actually tried this before, it was a very long time ago and I must have been about 17 years old. I wasn't really into skincare then so I didn't pay too much attention. I was one of those grab whatever you see first and use kind of gals! But since my interest in beauty and skincare has grown I have been eager to try it again. I was lucky enough to have the opportunity and try it once again, thank you to the Liz Earle team! 

I love everything about this cleanser from the smell, the way it feels on my skin, its texture and how it makes my skin feel and look. I use it both morning and night to give myself a deep cleanse. I prefer not to use it to take my makeup off but to just remove the remaining's of it, I use a water cleanser first. When applying this it has an amazing smell which is so relaxing. I love the idea of massaging it into my skin to really remove the dirt and get the circulation going, it feels like a pamper session every time. Not only that but massaging in the right direction (upwards), which you should always do can help with the prevention of anti-aging because your lifting the muscles up. Then when removing with the hot, damp muslin cloth I get that gentle exfoliation. I'm then left with cleansed, smooth, soothed, hydrated and bright skin. It has some fantastic ingredients in it including rosemary which acts as an anti inflammatory meaning it will calm irritated skin, also helping in some ways with breakouts. For reference my skin is combination - dry. I suffer with the odd breakout, redness and over all the texture of my skin isn't, or should I say wasn't its best. But since using this my redness has calmed down, the surface and texture of my skin has visibly improved, overall making my skin clearer and brighter. This was only after a month of use. I probably change my muslin cloth every third day, I find that because I'm not using it to remove my make-up thats fine for me, I also give it a good clean and soak after each use. But if you are acne prone or use it to take your make-up off, you might want to think about using a fresh one each day. I also love the packaging and the fact that it has a pump. I can get an even amount of application each time and it a lot more hygienic.  

Once my first bottle had run out I turned to my old cleanser by Dermalogica, but it just did not cut it! I have already re-purchased two bottles. One to keep at home and one to keep at my boyfriends. I have recently suffered with a bad breakout and this simple bit effective cleanser has played a huge role in combating it. I will continue to re-purchase! From seeing other reviews I can see that its suitable for literally every skin type, so I really do recommend it for everyone. Whether you have teenage or mature skin. For its price too I really don't think you can go wrong, I would say one bottle lasts me around 4-5 weeks. It has won endless awards and is their only cleanser, which says a lot in itself. You can buy Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish from QVC, John Lewis and their main site here. 

Have you tried Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish, what are your thoughts on it?

*PR Sample

Maybe she will...

Top: OASAP*

Shorts: Vintage Levi's

Boots: Topshop

Bag: TKMaxx

Watch: Casio

Bracelet: Tiffany & Co

Hello everyone. Its been a long time since I have blogged and posted an outfit post. I really enjoy doing them so I'm going to try and do at least one a week. For this outfit I'm wearing this stunning 3D flower mesh jumper from OASAP, Its very similar if not better then the original from American Apparel. I LOVE IT! Because it is so feminine I have paired it with my vintage Levi's to rough it up a bit. I also have a video version down below if you would like to see! Oh and I know your also thinking what the name of this post is all about. I was literally just listening to Lil Wayne so decided to name it after a song, I think I will do this with all my posts from now! 

*Press sample

Caudalie Cleansing Water

This has recently been my product of choice for removing my makeup in the evening before cleansing. I prefer to take my makeup off first so I get a deeper cleanse when doing so with my Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish, review to come soon. I picked this up from Feel Unique about 2 months ago and I'm just about coming to the end of the 200ml bottle. I think It only cost me £13.50 which isn't too bad at all I don't think! I had been looking for a cleansing water to remove my makeup for a while after discovering that makeup wipes were doing nothing for my skin other then drying it out and stripping it. Yuck! I was looking into getting the Bioderma that everyone is raving about, but I wasn't keen on trying it for a number of reasons, one of them being if it has any added skincare benefits? With this Caudalie Cleansing Water it feels very refreshing, soothing and gentle! It removes my makeup perfectly using two cotton pads. It doesn't remove every single bit because I can still see some foundation coming off onto my muslin cloth. But I can accept that because I feel like I get nice deep cleanse with my Liz Earle. This is something that I would definitely re-purchase, I know they have a 400ml bottle for £16.20 on Feel Unique so I'm tempted to get that. But I'm open to recommendations if anyone has any? I was thinking about trying the This Works cleansing water!

You can buy this from Feel Unique Here.

The Flatform

Flatforms were something that I was extremely unsure about. They are weird, I admit that! They aren't to everyones taste. But I was looking for a summer shoe that gave me a little bit of height and these seemed to be the perfect option. I picked them up from River Island the other week for £35.00, which I don't think is that bad! They really comfortable too, yes they did rub on my toes for a couple of wears but fine after that. They also took me some time to get used too, they do feel slightly weird at first! Be careful though because my ankle has gone in them quite a few times which is really quite embarrassing. Then again that might just be me being clumsy. I tell myself to act normal as if nothing happened ;) They have grown on me and I'm starting to really like them. They are also really versatile, they go with literally everything! On this day I wore them with bright blue ankle grazer trousers from River Island, shock horror I'm wearing colour! Then on top I just wore a basic V neck white tee. They really add a little something to a basic outfit like this, what do you think of them?

p.s sorry for the foot shot!

Accessorize SS|12 Makeup Collection

Last week I headed down to the ever so swanky W hotel in Leicester Square to attend and preview the Accessorize Spring/Summer 2012 makeup collection. Accessorize makeup is not something I have tried before. If I'm quite honest it never really appealed to me, but after seeing their new collection my opinion has completely changed. They are offering a great variety of products in a range of colours meaning there is something for everyone. I was also quite impressed with the quality, especially with their price points. The packaging also is just so pretty, it has that typical Accessorize feel about it - florals, animal print and butterflies with that british vibe. My favourite product out of the collection have to be the lipsticks, offering an amazing range of matte colours from your browny nudes to vampy berries.

L-R: 'You Are Everything' and 'Lovely Day' Eyeshadow Palettes, £8.95

Intense Colour Matte Lipsticks, £4.95

Fibre Lengthening Mascara, £5.95

Enchanted Fragrances, £15.00

Wardrobe Fragrances, L-R: Charm & Passion, £9.99

Silk Baked Eyeshadows, £2.95

Intense Lip Gloss, £3.95

Nail Polish, £2.95

This collection is actually released today, 6th June and will be available from Accessorize and Superdrug stores. What do you think, anything that catches your eye?

Street Style on Carnaby Street

Last week I was hanging out in London with my new buddies Shope and Shore, you have to check their blog out. They are twins and share a fashion/style blog - they have fantastic style as you can probably tell! Anyway, we were waiting for an event and had some spare time so decided we would do a bit of street style in one of my favourite places in london, Carnaby Street.

Shope & Shore

I wish I could have taken more but my camera died. I was so annoyed! But let me know if you would like to see these more, I was thinking of making it a monthly thing where I go to a different location within London for each post.

Illustration of Me

If you follow me on Twitter or Instagram (jessicafrench_) you would have already seen this but for those who don't I want to share with you something a little different. Last week I received an email from a lovely subscriber of mine called Larelle, she has kindly drawn this illustration of me using watercolours. I didn't even ask her, she done it simply because she is kind and wanted to do something nice. It's so rare that you find genuine, lovely people like that! I think its beautiful and she has done an amazing job. I urge you all to please check her out on YouTube at pencilmeetspaper, she is one seriously talented young lady! You can also see more of her work on her Facebook here. I know that illustrations are becoming extremely popular these days, I have seen them popping up on lots of blogs after seeing Tami's. I would love to know what you think of this though? Share your thoughts :)

Yumi AW|12 Press Day

The other week I popped down to the Yumi HQ to preview their Autumn/Winter 2012 collection. I was kindly greeted by the lovely Fleur and given my favourite summer drink - sparkling elderflower. What a lovely start to the day! I was really impressed with the collection, from what I have seen at press days it was definitely unique! It's filled with your classic wardrobe pieces such as peter pan colours, sheer shirts, pleated maxi's, aran knits that have been instantly updated with earthy colours, nature, retro inspired prints and heavy knits. I loved the vintage feel about the collection, I'm a fan!

Cute animal prints!

Amazing sweetie stand. Don't worry, I took full advantage!

I was also lucky enough to get my nails done by an amazing technician! Very Catch Kidston I think :)

This picture is from my Instagram my user name is: Jessicafrench_ 

What are your first impressions on the collection then?