The age of the brow

So, being a redhead I get asked from many fellow redheads what product I use on my brows... And what, with all of us being brow obsessed, I thought I'd do a little post on what I use and how I do my brows. Seriously, what did we do before brows became a big thing in beauty again?!

 

 

 

So the product I use more often than not is the Rimmel Brow Pencil in shade Blonde. It is a great colour for my brows and I know other redheads I've recommended it to and have loved it too. The pencil lasts me a good few months and it comes with a brow brush on the lid too. (Super hand for the bad brow days.)

 

 

 

So to get my perfect brow I begin with brushing them to get a nice tidy shape... And I always begin with a sharp pencil to ensure I get a really defined brow. I then mark the outer edge and fill in with quick brush type strokes sticking to the natural shape of my brow. I like my brows to look natural yet defined so the brushstrokes help achieve the natural look. The I work on the inner brow with very soft feathery strokes and build it up in depth and colour until I've achieve the look I want. I work from the inner edge to the middle section gradually until the whole brow is completely filled in. I then finish by concealing the edges to clean it up and especially around the tail of the brow to sharpen up this area.  

 

 

 

 

 

I hope this helps answer the questions people have been asking me about my brows! This may not suit everyone but this is how I choose to do mine after trying many different shapes and powders etc but the pencil really is my go-to product for day to day. If you have any secret brow products or techniques, I'd love to hear them in the comments!

 

 

Rings from Aphrodite Jewels

 

 

Until next time...

 

The Original Redhead

 

X

 

 

Restaurant Week & Swordfish Tales

Craving to try somewhere new but not sure an branching out to a new cuisine or venue? If you've never checked out NE1 Newcastle Restaurant Week, it's a great time to try somewhere new with great discounts and offers. I've never been to Marco Polo's on Dean Street but always liked the look of it and heard good review. I headed out with Zoe & Ruth and we went to try they had to offer. We were seated very promptly on arrival (we'd booked a table) and the serving staff were all very pleasant and accommodating.

 

 

 

 

It came round to ordering and I went for the chicken & frontina crouquettes, tomato & Njuda. Truth be told, I had no real idea of what to expect besides the fact that I guessed they would be similar to croquettes. So, the starters arrived and I was not disappointed with my uneducated choice. These babies were super delicious and the tomato based sauce was the perfect balance for the dish.

 

 

 

 

 

After the delicious starter I went with the chargrilled swordfish with Panzanella salad. I've never had either of these things so this truly was a liberating meal exploring new flavours! The swordfish really was cooked perfectly and sat on a bed of tomato, avocado, crutons tossed in olive oil. Panzanella is a bread and tomato based salad descending from Tuscany. This main was refreshing and light with the sultry chargrilled taste of the swordfish. If you're looking for something to eat before you're heading out with the girls (aka bloat-free meal) this is the one! So tasty and filling.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I was super well behaved and skipped the dessert while the girls went ahead and ordered their's (not torture at all to watch them eat theirs, they also looked yummy.) However, I don't recommend you skip it... If you're looking for somewhere new to try, in the heart of Newcastle and close to lots of cocktail bars to enjoy, then Marco Polo is the one for you.

 

 

Until next time...

 

The Original Redhead

 

X

 

Sparkling Jewellery: Celeb Faves & Charlie Hedge's Festival Fun

Those who know me, will know I truly am a jewellery addict. I am not in jewellery addicts anonymous however, so when Sparkling Jewellery approached me about sending me some pieces how could I refuse?! So with music culture and festivals increasingly growing in popularity, we're always on the search for new outfits and accessories. Weather you're just heading for a vacation, camping with friends or going to Bestival, Charlie Hedges Festival Collection is totally for you! You will most likely know Sparkling Jewellery for their Double Coin Necklaces & the brand has been spotted on celebs from Michelle Keegan to Katie Piper.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 One of the original celebs to be adorned with the SJ necklace was Holly Willoughby (if you watch This Morning close enough I guarantee you'll spot it!) and appropriately this design is named Holly. There is a range of coin and sovereign variations over on the website but this is the Classic Two Coin Holly Necklace which retails at £29.00 & free next day delivery on all UK orders over £10.

 

 

 

 

 

I love the detail of the name stamped onto a gorgeous dainty tag near the clasp. The little details make all the difference!

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I have honestly worn this necklace so many times with numerous outfits which I can now see why they are so popular. In a rush? Throw on a Sparkling Jewellery necklace (weather its the Double Coin, Sixpence or the Karma) it will transform your look effortlessly. I would recommend carrying in your handbag to upgrade your look from work wear to evening in a flash.

 

 

 

 

 When Sparkling Jewellery gifted me with these items I was excited to see what the Charlie Hedges range had to offer. This is the Love Bracelet in black. It is a great size for me and I really love the hook clasp which is a nice unique detail instead of a standard lobster clasp! This also comes in red and blue and is down to £1.00 online!

 

 

 

 

 

For the gypsy souls out there, this one is really for you! The Charming Brow Band really is the festival lovers wardrobe staple. I always think these kinds of headbands give a real 70's feel to an outfit. The alternating rose & diamante charms really do add a touch of glamour without being too much. With an elasticated section, this headband stays in place perfectly (which is a must if you're dancing out to your fave band!) And, this is also available in silver if gold isn't your thing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Gypsy vibe not your thing? Then perhaps the Gold Earrings are for you. These really are the perfect addition to your festival back pack. Pop these on and turn your outfit from festival acceptable to rock chic in no time.  Such an effortless piece to switch up your look weather your working loose waves and wellies or a polished up do on holiday.

 

 

 

 

 The flower headdress really is the original festival piece and the Charlie range doesn't disappoint with the Festival Hair Garland! These have been worn for years and really never fail to go out of fashion in the festival scene. Which is why I think this would be a great investment piece if you're a regular festival go-er.

 

 

 

 

 Besides the Double Coin Necklace... this Ear Cuff Stud Cuff Stud really is my favourite piece. With a gold stud which connects to a cuff via 3 gold chains this is the ultimate edgy chic piece. For the fierce look.... This wouldn't look out of place paired with a fringed suede jacket, embellished dress or leather mini skirt! This little gem vamps your outfit from a 5 to a strong 10 on the fierce scale.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Don't forget to follow Sparkling Jewellery!

 

 

 

 

Until next time...

 

The Original Redhead

 

X

 

 

 

TOM FORD Scent Lust & Pure Luxury

With the new release of the Orchid Soleil luxury fragrance, and Tom Ford holding a launch... how could a girl resist?! Knowing Tom Ford for all things luxe I didn't expect anything different from this launch.

 

 

 

 

On arrival we were greeted with the lovely girls on the Tom Ford counter in Fenwick, Newcastle. We were then handed a glass of champagne which was just what I needed after a long day, and this only added to the TF experience.

 

 

For any beauty and fragrance lovers who haven't yet discovered the black sorcery of the magical Tom Ford brand, for every fragrance from this range the TF team have created a make up look to sit alongside it. I feel like this is a great facet to the launch and also kind of encapsulates the "Tom Ford woman" look and what is cohesive with the scent.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 This look is a beautiful rose gold glowy look with a focus on the rose gold element of the packaging of Soleil. The TF glitter shadow is pressed on to the lid after the cream shadow has been buffed in to create a soft and subtle sparkle eye look. Pressing a shimmer shadow helps it to stay in place and avoids fall down (in comparison to overloading a make up brush.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

The perfect contour and summer glow is added with a big contour brush and swept under the cheekbones. The bronzer compact really is not compact as it's pretty big but I think that's part of the charm. And the compact has a decent sized mirror for make up on the move!

 

 

 

The contour is completed with this beauuuuu - ti - ful rose tinted liquid highliter. This is similar to macs strobe cream in the sense that it is multi functional. Shimmery primer, glowy highlighter and you could even pop this on as a bb cream just for a quick coverage in a rush.

 

 

 

 

Thanks to Zoe for being a hand model for me haha, sometimes you just need a blogger friend when you run out of hands! Pink toned lipstick finishes of the LA glowy look. It's the perfect sun kissed, chic and effortless make up look. (And was created in about 15 minutes)

 

 

As a redhead with blue eyes, I've got to say the best colours for an eye look on me are browns and golds because they really make my eye colour pop and stand out. And again, you can see on Jess, this look works for blondes and no doubt brunettes and can we appreciate how blue her eyes appear with the TF touch?!

 

 

 The Orchid Soleil really is a summer branch from the 2014 Black Orchid fragrance. A fresher, more tropical scent to predecessor. On first meeting with this fragrance you really pick up the floral, vibrant notes of orange tuberose, orchid, cypress, and patchouli.... then when you think that's it the deeper notes of chestnut and vanilla fill your senses wrapped in a red spider lily kiss. Despite the initially summer floral scent, the animalistic feminine hint is unmistakable. This scent has a very empowering way of overcoming you in a way which is indescribable. What is your favourite from the Tom For fragrance selection? I feel like the more I smell them all, the more I fall in love with them all and really cant decide which I like more! The attention to detail in the Ford fragrance is truly what strikes me about this brand. The devil really is in the details, and every time your nose gets a suggestion of the scent, you smell a different note each time.

 

 

 

Just when you think the Tom Ford girls have really indulged you with time, knowledge, and champagne... we were left with a gorgeous little goody bag with samples to try out.

 

 

 

I mean aren't the bottles enough to make you lust over them, never mind the perfectly feminine scent which will mess with your sense of smell?! You can buy the full range from Fenwick or similar department stores. Or if you love online shopping, the Tom Ford official website also stock it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Until next time...

 

The Original Redhead

 

X