OOTN: Night out in Cambridge

Monday 29 July 2013

Another attempt at doing an outfit posting!

This weekend, I went down to Cambridge to visit Lady T. We always have the best nights out! We do stick out like a sore thumb though, because Cambridge as a city is ridiculously dressed-down. The girls mostly wear jeans and flat shoes to the bars at night, which is a total contrast to Nottingham, Leeds, Manchester etc where the vibe is a lot more dressed up and you’d look odd without heels. Anyway, T and I both love an opportunity to get dolled up and crack out a power frock, so we usually just do our own thing regardless. It’s not us who are over-dressed, they’re all under-dressed, dammit!

I wore


White mesh pencil dress – George at Asda

So, there's a bit of a story behind this dress. I originally ordered a white leather dress from Missguided with cut out panels to wear. It was tagged as a 'blogger's favourite' and I was super-excited to have ordered something edgy and directional. However, when it came, I instantly hated it on. It just didn't fit or flatter. Perhaps I'm not ready to be edgy!

Cue a mad, last minute dash around the shops. I was determined to find a white dress (preferably with mesh inserts) to show of my newly-acquired tan. Of course, wanting something so specific, I was guaranteed not to find it. Dashes to Zara and Topshop had yielded nothing and I was getting desparate....until I went to Asda to do my food shopping.

Remembering the surprise success of the party flats I found there, I decided to dash upstairs on a last minute mission...and low and behold...there, staring me in the face was exactly the dress I'd been looking for. It was uncanny! And even better, it was in the sale!! I paid just £8. I'd always written Asda clothes off as being frumpy and aimed at mums (most of them are, its true) so I never expected to find something as flattering as this. It looked gorgeous on and far more expensive than it was, which is really important when you buy a white dress in particular, as they show every lump and bump up. I was so impressed!

White, black and gold, multi-strand necklace -  Topshop

This is cheating a bit, because I wore this necklace in my last outfit post, but it’s a favourite of mine at the moment so I couldn’t resist popping it on again.

Grey round patent shoes with cream snakeskin heels - All Saints

These shoes actually belong to Lady T, who kindly lent them to me for the evening after I spontaneously decided against my own Maison Martin Margiela for H&M perspex wedges, which I hadn't broken in and was pretty sure would hurt my tootsies...I danced all night and not a twinge of pain...although some dude did spill Grey Goose all down my legs, so they might have gotten a vodka polish!

Grey jersey quilted chain-strap bag -  Topshop (not pictured as I forgot!)

This is clearly an ‘homage’ to the Chanel 2.55, re-imagined in slouchy grey jersey, which I really like. It takes a very formal bag shape and subverts it with an ultra-casual fabric. The thing I like the best about this bag is the fluorescent coral lining!

Rose gold boyfriend watch -  Michael Kors

Pretty much my go-to accessory at the moment, I'm sure I'm over-wearing this, but I just love it so much. It toughens up a pretty frock and heels an absolute treat.

Make-Up


I thought red lips would be a nice contrast with the white dress, so I made these the focus of my look. I created a dewy base first using a blob of Mac Strobe Cream mixed into some Chanel Lift Lumiere foundation, buffed in using my Real Techniques stippling brush.

I contoured my cheeks with some Mac Matte Bronzer as I wanted to keep them neutral. As I was doing red lips, my eye-makeup needed to not compete but to have enough impact to balance out the face. I defined my brows using Mac eyeshadow in Charcoal Brown with a slanted brush. Lids were kept neutral -  Dainty Doll Eyeshadow Base in ‘Frankie’, topped with Urban Decay ‘Booty Call’ from the Naked 2 palette. I used the shade ‘Tease’ from the same palette to gently define the crease and provide some depth.

After creating a strong, graphic wing shape using Eyeko Skinny Mini eyeliner, I smoked out the edges with ‘Blackout’ from the palette. In the corners of my waterline, I used the black Rimmel Scandaleyes Waterproof Kohl.  Underneath my lash line, I ran a thin line of ‘Pistol’ -  this helps give definition, but not as harshly as black. A couple of coats of L’Oreal False Lash Flutter and some Eyelure Naturalites lashes completed the look. My lips were lined with Rimmel 1000 Kisses Lasting Definition and then I used my all-time hero red – Chanel Rouge Coco Shine in ‘Rebelle’.

Nails

I used the new Rimmel nail polishes I got to create this manicure - a base of beige using 'Caramel Cupcake' and tips in 'Black Cherries'.
 

Hair

Big ass hair and a Pornstar Martini!
I wanted a big hair, sort of a ‘modern Barbarella’ look to contrast with the futuristic design of my dress. I prepped by washing with Tigi Bedhead Superstar shampoo, which is sulphate-free and gives big hair! Followed up with a hit of moisture from Herbal Essences Dazzling Shine mask. When still wet, I added in some L’Oreal Elvive Collagen Volumising Mousse to lock in the volume, and a bit of John Frieda Frizz-Ease Thermal Protect serum, and blowdried upside down- this really helps to get big hair!

To style, I started by massaging in some Clynol Powder Punch, which is a shot of volumising hair powder. I then swept up the top part of my hair into a big beehive, which is my current favourite style! I used the Denman Dress Out Brush (my new secret hair weapon!) to backcomb at the roots, along with lashings of Schwarzkopf Got2Be Happy Hour hairspray. I’m in love with this hairspray - it smells sooo good, like coconut cocktails, and the hold really lasts without giving crispy hair. It’s a definite winner and performs well above its affordable price tag.

Then I pushed up the hair at the back and fixed with Kirby grips and more hairspray! The remaining lengths were straightened and I boosted them with a few clip-in extensions.

My Night Out Playlist

Lady T and I partying hard!
Music is a hugely important part of my getting ready ritual before I go out, so I thought I’d share what was on my playlist that night and getting me in the mood to dance:

Night by Night – Chromeo (Skream remix)
XXXO – M.I.A (Jay-Z remix)
Give It 2 U – Robin Thicke ft Kendrick Lamar
Get Lucky – Daft Punk
Drop It Like It’s Hot – Snoop Dogg ft Pharrell Williams
Sweet Talk - Kito & Reija Lee
All Night – Jack Beats ft John B (Skream remix)
White Noise – Disclosure ft AlunaGeorge
Holy Grail - Jay-Z and Justin Timberlake






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