AW19 | FEMME LUXE CLOTHING REVIEW

How irritating is it when you’re trying to find the perfect outfit for a special occasion and feel like you’ll never find what you’re looking for?! I know exactly how it feels, hence why I’m so open to trying out different brands and online retailers to test out their quality of clothing (free clothes to test out are always great).

I was recently contacted by FemmeLuxe to become their ambassador and try out their clothing range. I have picked out 4 different items of clothing which I’m going to review and style for you in this post.

If you haven’t heard of Femme Luxe before it is an online clothing brand which focuses on influencer inspired fashion based in Manchester. The brand states that ’Femme Luxe is a bold, forward thinking, influencer inspired fashion brand based in the cutting-edge city of Manchester. We aim to deliver the most on trend pieces that will really make you stand out, no matter what the occasion. With everything from off-duty looks to a glam girl’s night out dress, cute co-ords and bangin’ blazer dresses, to luxe loungewear and stand out wardrobe staples, our trend led #luxegal’s know how to style any piece.’

Outfit Number 1:

I loved the look of this Pink Oversized Shirt Dress, I thought it was so classy yet stylish and the colour is perfect for all Mean Girls fans. Everyone should own a shirt dress in their wardrobe as it's an effortless staple outfit for any occasion. Drinks with workmates? Date night? Christening? There's a shirt dress for all occasions and I believe that this one is one of them. I picked the powder pink dress as I thought it would compliment my skin tone well (it is a little bit too light for me unless I fake tan). The material is very lightweight, so you won't get hot in the summer, but do make sure that you wear nude underwear with it as you don't want anything showing through. As I am only 5ft3 I thought the length of the dress was perfect for me, however, I would recommend sizing up for more length or wearing this as a shirt with a pair of faux leather leggings/trousers.

Outfit Number 2:

This outfit is so adorable that it'll even make an 'Insta-Baddie' look sweet. I am in love with this Mesh Puffy Sleeve Top, I think it'll be a great all-rounder this season. It can be so difficult to try and find a nice top to go with any skirts, jeans or trousers but I think that this is one of those that looks great paired up with anything, especially these super cute Rose Vinyl Leggings. Now, I don't usually wear vinyl material clothes, but I really liked the way the leggings synched in on my waist and the fact I could just wear them out paired up with pretty much any top. If you’ve never worn vinyl clothes before then beware of the sound they make as you walk haha, I thought it sounded hilarious so it’s probably not the best choice to wear to the library, but it’ll be great for a night out! Next time I might go for a quieter alternative and try out a pair of faux leather leggings.

Outfit Number 3:

I was really excited for this to arrive as when I'm not at work I'm always at home in either loungewear or pyjamas because comfort is everything when you're at the ripe age of 23 (don't even ask). This Boxy Loungewear Set is something I never knew I needed until it arrived. I usually wear mismatched pyjamas or old leggings with oversized t-shirts, but this set is sort of glam which means I can comfortably wear it outdoors to different events just by accessorising slightly. This time I paired the co-rod with my nude boots from River Island and camel coat from Topshop. My only issue with this set is that the trousers don’t have a proper drawstring belt - it only has two tassels sewn onto the seam where the belt would usually be, which means that they don’t sit on my wait as well as I had hoped.

Overall, I found that the clothes came up a little bit small in size so I would suggest to size up a size or two when you order from Femme Luxe, but also take into consideration the lack of larger sizes as they only come up to size 12-14. I really enjoyed working with Femme Luxe and can't wait for any future collaborations.

*This post includes gifted items; however all my opinions are honest.

Have you shopped with Femme Luxe before? Which outfits do you like best? How would you style these outfits?

Lots of love,

Maya xo

REVIEW || LANCOME HYPNOSE MASCARA & LANCOME BONUS TIME - IS THIS THE ONLY TIME YOU SHOULD PURCHASE LANCOME PRODUCTS?

Lancôme is one of the most known and loved high-end beauty brands out there and there is a good reason for it. They sell their Hypnose mascara every 15 seconds across Europe and you can’t blame people for stocking up on this beauty.

I don’t want to give too much away from this review just yet so carry on reading for my opinion on this mascara and whether it’s worth your money.

The packaging:

I believe that the brand is known for its very luxurious and sleek packaging and this product does not disappoint. The mascara handle is narrow on the tip making it easy to grip and manoeuvre for the most precise application. I like holding the mascara by the tip to add on extra volume after applying the first coat.

The wand is quite thick with a lot of bristles for more precise application. The bristles are quite short which allows the wand to get very close to the lash line for a ‘false-lash with liner’ effect.

The formula:

The formula of the Hypnose mascara is different to most I’ve tried before as it applies absolutely beautifully from the first use up until the last, meaning that even when it dries out it still works just as well as it did the very first time I used it. The product doesn't feel sticky, it feels more smooth and creamy to touch (yes, I have touched the actual mascara to check the texture).

The longevity:

I have currently been using the travel size version of it which I received as a part of the free gift with purchase, and I must say it has lasted me nearly two months! I was told that a full-size mascara should be replenished every 8-10 weeks because of the hygiene reasons and best effect but it can usually last me around 4 months with daily use so I tend to pick up two every time they’re on gift! The product itself lasts all day/night long on my lashes and doesn't seem to wear off at all. Having very fair blonde lashes I find some mascaras difficult to cover my full lashes as no products ever seem to reach the roots of my lashes, but this mascara is definitely the best one I have tried so far that gently combs over my natural lash and defines my eyes without clumping.

The Overall Verdict:
Obviously, if you are reading this review then you are already considering whether to purchase the Hypnose mascara or not. Let me make this decision a lot easier for you - BUY IT. Try it out, if you don't like it or feel like it's not doing anything for you then return it back to the retailer, but I promise you that you will not be disappointed with this product. £25 might seem like a lot to spend on a mascara but this can last you up to 6 months which will only make it £4.30ish a month which will actually save you a lot of money as you don't need many coats of the product for the desired effect, but you might go through one drugstore mascara a month which will cost you £10-£12 a month.

Lancome Bonus Time - Gift with Purchase
To be honest with you, I didn't even know what 'gift with purchase' was until I started working in the beauty industry. I always assumed that high-end makeup brands never offered any samples or gifts, so I stayed within my budget and continued to purchase drugstore branded makeup. After finding out about the bonus time I was in shock because you could actually receive nearly £200 worth of free gift just by picking up your favourite products! I know I will most likely only purchase Lancome products when they have bonus time unless I run out of my beloved Hypnose mascara then I will just have to buy it anyway, but I know it's worth every penny!

I usually buy my makeup from House of Fraser in Nottingham as I want to support my friends and their businesses in the store. I believe that Lancome has bonus time twice a year - once in March and once in September. This year was the first year I bought enough Lancome items in one transaction to qualify for the free gift with my purchase. In March I bought two sets of the Hypnose mascara as I know how much I love the product and as the third item I bought the Honey Foaming Cleanser which melts makeup away (it's great).

As a free gift, I received:
- full-size Micellar water £23.50
- full-size Rose Sugar scrub £30
- travel size Hypnose mascara £8
- travel size Genifique serum £11
- sample size Teint Idole Ultra Wear foundation £5.50
- travel size La Vie Est Belle perfume £7
- travel size Absolue day cream £39
- travel size Absolue night cream £45
- travel size lipstick £10

More recently, in September, I purchased a Monsieur Big mascara set, Gel Eclat cleansing gel, and Creme Mousse foaming face wash. This time I already knew that I really liked the honey cleanser and thankfully it was a part of the free gift this time around so I thought I'd try something else.

As a free gift, I received:
- full-size Honey Foaming Cleanser £24
- full-size Hydra Zen Jelly mask £31
- travel size Hypnose mascara £8
- travel size Genifique serum £11
- sample size Teint Idole Ultra Wear foundation £5.50
- travel size Hydra Zen day cream £12
- travel size Hydra Zen night cream £13
- travel size comforting toner £8.50

I really hope that this post has helped you decide if Hypnose if the best mascara for you, I absolutely love it and I can't imagine myself replacing it with any other mascara, but I cannot wait to try the Monsieur Big mascara as this is my Mum's favourite.

Have you tried any of the products mentioned above? Would you recommend any other Lancome items for me to try for my next purchase?

Lots of love,

Maya xo