Jersey Pencil Tube Skirts

My new summer saviour. Pencil skirts are coming back into fashion with the trend turning back the clocks to a time where dressing like a lady was at its peak. How glam!
Pencil skirts have always been an office staple and I love them for it, but recently I've gone toward jersey tube styles. I never used to wear them out of the fear they would show every flaw and bump but I've been pleasantly surprised at how flattering they are, in a medium weight fabric and dark colour they are pure bliss!
If you're still wary, try and look for details like ruching to flatter and show off the good while hiding the bad, this skirt by ASOS is a perfect example.

You can also tie them in nicely with the panelling trend, check out this gorgeous skirt by Malene Birger, the dark side panels will slim down your figure brilliantly, optical illusions are epic.

Incoming: Bag on Bag trend

This was a trend I noticed emerging a little while ago but now that I've seen some more sites putting their weight behind it, I have more confidence in it. Twinset bags are not entirely crazy so much as it's actually quite useful. A lot of women I see about the city tote two bags around, albeit one of them is often either the large shopping bag of somewhere prestigious and not in Brisbane, (Harrods and Topshop anyone?) and the other is their handbag. Why can't the two of them match for a more chic look?
I'm not so much a fan of the two bags in the same style just in different sizes. I think if you get the smaller one that is certainly a handbag and put it with a larger tote style bag you're onto a winner. Look for the same fabric across two different styles for an easy way to do it. Check out my finds!

Matt & Nat do it with Fuchsia

More ideas after the jump!

Product Review: Max Factor Colour Elixir Lipstick in Ruby Tuesday

I'm not afraid to admit that advertising helps me decide, a few years ago I even wore that statement on a t-shirt! I love the colour of this lipstick in the advertisements, to the point where I had to pick myself up a tube and give it a whirl. I'm not regretful at all!
I have to admit that I was expecting a different formula though, Max Factor describes the lipstick and I quote: "The Elixir formula contains a 60% blend of skin emollients, conditioners and antioxidants including vitamin E, for a visible transformation in the look and feel of your lips in just 7-days. As you apply the Colour Elixir Lipstick, it actively moisturises and smoothes lips."
I found that despite that claim, it was really matte. Perhaps I wasn't loading the colour on as much as they'd like, but I don't like smearing it everywhere. I also didn't really find it especially moisturising. Don't get me wrong, it didn't feel dry, and it was quite comfortable, but it didn't feel like it was conditioning my lips as much as the claims made me expect it to.

One thing I did really like was the staying power, I ate, I drank, I barely needed a touch up! Even when I went to gym at the end of the day and took it off with my make up remover, it took some real work to get it all off.

The colour is a nice pink shade of red that matches my NC20/NW20 skin tone. I also found it brings out the Balayage in my hair.

Swatch on forearm in cloudy, natural light

Poor lighting, I know.

Incoming: Hervana by Benefit

Benefit by far make some of the best face powders and cheek colours out there, so imagine my glee when I spotted this coming out soon. A gorgeous ethereal pink toned cheek colour that's 'Enough to make an angel blush'. Lol.
Hervana is quite a good medium between some of Benefit's heavier pigmented powders, like Bella Bamba that can be a little too loaded for some girls and Sugarbomb which is rather subtle. The idea is to stick the brush in and swirl to then apply to your face, but I've found the provided brush to be of little use. Admittedly it's still better then brushes provided in their earlier powders but even then I'd recommend to use a fluffy blush brush instead. It's also not worth trying to use each colour individually! The four shades work together marvellously and have a subtle sculpting shimmer to the final colour, just enough to sculpt with no chance of looking like you dove into a pot of glitter.
I'd use it as a soft colour pick me up, much like Dandelion as it takes quite a lot of product to produce a depth that's noticeable on your skin, so def recommended for the girls who want just a hint so their cheeks aren't bare.

Do you have a favourite Benefit powder? Tell me about it in the Comments!

Loving this week: Napoleon Perdis Double Agent Rouge Lip Palette

Brilliant concept! Napoleon Perdis has come up with a lip palette with a Semi Matte lipstick next to a setting powder for long lasting wear. It comes in a gorgeous shade of red is a cute little vintage inspired compact, with two brushes for application.
The colour goes on sheer but can be built up with a few layers for something a bit more punchy, then you pat the powder on to set. I'd recommend sitting down with some of the counter girls to see how it works and to see if the colour will suit.

The only issue I can think of is that it only comes in one colour! It may just be a case of testing the waters to see what customer reaction would be, but I think it's a good idea, a little gimmicky at first glance but it does the job to boot. I can't help but wonder what direction this will go in now?