Who is She Annual Birthday Giveaway (Illamasqua)- CLOSED

*Giveaway is now closed- I'll be announcing the winner early next week*

As it was JEMs *ahem* *coughs* 30th on Christmas Day and I refuse to acknowledge that I am going to be 27 on Wednesday, its time for our annual birthday giveaway on the blog. In the last few months I have started to neglect my beloved Mac and moved onto major loveage for Illamasqua so an Illamasqua giveaway its going to be.

We're giving away either a Cream or Powder blush from Illamasqua (your choice). I'll probably throw some extra goodies into the giveaway however I'll make that an air of mystery and I'll let you know as and when.

Rules.

Open internationally

You must be a follower of the blog (we will check).

Comment below with "enter me", your email address and what shade blush you would like (cream or powder).

If you don't let us know what blush you want and you win, we'll choose the colour/formula for you.

For an extra entry- put the above picture in your side bar and link back.

For another extra entry- "like" the "Who is She" Facebook page here.

Remember to let us know what you have done (again we will check) in your comment.

Giveaway will close at midnight (UK time) on 28th January 2012.

Good Luck

To 2012

2011

What a year its been...

met some fabulous bloggers, Moho got married and became a honest woman, Tenerife x 2, and the birth of the legend herself Lil-Bil.

As always thank you for the support, muchos love <3

Whats 2012 got in store??

BOSH

Siri-isms

*scheduled post*

Found this link on the Daily Mail site and I thought I would put the best ones in a post for you.

Seriously she has a mind of her own doesn’t she?? Also she doesn’t recognise my accent- so glad I only have the iPhone 4.

All images from www.whatsiriissaying.co.uk

Hit The Floor (Twice)

*scheduled post*

I can’t remember if this post is due to go out on Wednesday or Thursday, but regardless I hope you all had a fabulous Christmas and Santa was good to you all. I’m assuming I’m in a food coma somewhere, however I’m not psychic and if I was I wouldn’t be working.

Every year the last Friday before Christmas is Mad Friday/Black Eyed Friday and basically consists of everyone having their Christmas dos down Durham and getting mortal. This year there was some slight confusion due to people finishing work on the 23^rd, however we went with the 16^th and keeping up with tradition I joined Michelle’s office on their night out.

I’ll post pictures from the night another time, however Crowd 9 at the Slug basically resulted in me falling over not once, but twice. My backside was completely bruised and I’m sure I lost my dignity by the second time falling over. In my defence the first time someone knocked me over, second time I blame high heels, wet floors and alcohol.

Anyway onto my outfit, as it was Christmas I thought I'd wear something sequin and bright- hence the skirt.

Vest- Topshop

Aztec Skirt- All Saints (last season)

Bag- Chanel XL Jumbo

Boots- Topshop (last winter)

Cuff- Topshop (currently half price in the sale)

I really do love this skirt, however its now too big around the waist and I spent most of the night having to keep pulling it up. Think its going to be getting sold soon :( Had quite a few really nice compliments about the skirt too- so glad it didn't get ruined when I was on the floor lol.

Have you all got your New Years Eve outfit sorted yet??

Kardashian Kolors Have Landed

*scheduled post*

I have to admit (and I have no shame in the matter) but I am obsessed with the Kardashians. Keeping up with the Kardashians, Khloe and Lamar, Kourtney and Khloe take Miami, Kourtney and Kim take New York, I watch them all!!!

I think I may be the last person to post about one of their latest collaborations with Nicole by Opi

KARDASHIAN KOLOR

Now since the promo images for this was released on (I’m sure) Khloe's Blog I have been wanting to order some of their shades from USA- a) cause I love opi and b) it’s the Kardashians. However the pictures of the shades have been digitally created.

Low and behold random sale searching on ASOS what did I happen to come across- oh yes we have a UK stockist of the shades for £8 a bottle. However the only colour swatches which ASOS have on are the rubbish digital shots, so cue a quick google search for some swatches.

(image via Addicted to All Things Pretty)

Top Row (left to right)- Khloe had a little Lam Lam, Sealed with a Kris, Listen to your momager, My empire my rules, Hard Kourt fashionista.

Middle Row (left to right)- Kourt is redy for a pedi, All Kendalled up, Its all about the glam, Kimpletley in love, Wear something Sparkylie.

Bottom Row (left to right)-  Follow me on glitter, Kendall on the Katwalk, Disco dolls, Rainbow in the skylie, Khloe had a little Lam Lam (dupe).

Does Rainbow in the Skylie look a little familiar to another OPI glitter polish?? Thinking Muppets collection...yes Rainbow Connection and for £4 cheaper.

Favourite colours have to be Wear something sparkylie and Sealed with a Kris. Hard Kourt fashionista looks very similiar to the colour shellac I have on my nails at the moment (post to come soon).

Kardashian Kolours are avaliable from ASOS for £8

Christmas

Love

Ray, JEM and BambinoJEM

xxx

dot com

www.ohwhoisshe.com

Yes "Who is She??" has gone .com today. When you read the name of the domain, just think of Nessa from Gavin and Stacey saying "Oh whats occuring".

This is me throwing some shapes to show my excitement of becoming dot com

Kim is denying all knowledge of knowing me

Other ways to follow my dire craic

Facebook

Bloglovin

Twitter

If JEM were a nail polish

This would be it.

Unfortunately that is where the love for this polish ends and also the comparisons with our JEM. Many of you will have received a Zoya nail polish in September or October’s Boudoir Prive box, and I received the shade JEM.

As you can see it’s an inky/purple/navy colour with tiny specks of silver glitter in it- which you can see on the picture of the bottle better than on my nails. Very festive/night out appropriate polish you would agree. The only positive about this polish is that when dried the polish is smooth, it doesn’t feel gritty like many glitter polishes. This polish I would say is well out of my comfort zone and to be honest I wouldn't be seen dead with it on my nails for a night out.

I'm warning you now this polish chips like there is no tomorrow.

As you can see I took the above picture two hours after applying the polish and there is already tip wear on my index finger. Not good at all.

The next lot of photos was taken either two (or three I can't remember) days later.

Shocking isn't it.

I don't know if all Zoya polishes have the same consistency/chip rates as this polish, however considering it was technically free I don't feel as cheated by the product if I'd bought it myself. Would I personally buy a Zoya nail polish after this?? Nope.

Breaking up from work for Christmas today at 1.30 woohooo. Counting the minutes down now.

Thats me signing off from the blog now until the New Year- there's a post scheduled for tomorrow with a suprise visitor returning to the blog (its not JEM), and I have a couple more posts planned for next week, but don't worry I'll be reading/commenting on your blogs during my break though. Have a fab christmas everyone, and don't do anything I wouldn't do (so that gives you free reign then).

Festive Cheer Ray Style

Remember these beauties I'd spied in Topshop Leeds for £65..

Bought this morning from Topshop online (certain items have already been reduced) for

£30

BOOM

(They also had their Chelsea Boots reduced from £60 to £8.25- I ain't joking).

Why are you still reading this?? Get yourself over to Topshop NOW

Scran

When a christmas office buffet is calling your name.. your priorities consist of the following-

• cornbeef pie
• turkey sandwiches
• rocky road

I wore this the other for a shopping with my lovely cousins Ash and the SEED herself Maxine.

Jeans- Asos

Belt (not seen)- All Saints

Shirt- H+M

Bag- Chanel XL Jumbo

Bracelet- Tenerife 1 euro bad boy

Glasses- RayBan

I'm off to consume a food baby

Sparkle Sparkle (Lumiere)

I think the pre-Christmas stress is starting to kick in now, presents still haven’t been delivered, still haven’t wrote any Christmas cards out, and I still have to go shopping for the final bits and bobs. Hurrah for my little bank of flexi time which I have gained at work over the last few weeks. However I am feeling festive- office buffet tomorrow (I’m attempting to cook- wish me luck), playing Christmas songs on the hour every hour at work, nights out with fab friends/work peeps and Home Alone.

Last month ye olde Durham town played host to its second Lumiere Festival and Durham was transformed with lots and lots of fab light installations. Me and Stephy (and Mucka Gaylordfocker) wrapped up warm and had a wander around Durham. To be honest I’ve never ever seen Durham so packed- literally we had to wait 20 mins to get up to the Cathedral. If you have never been to Durham before- you should definitely visit, shame that a small percentage of the Uni students give the City a bad name (note small percentage, the rest of you are fine).

Anyway here are some pictures of mine and Steph’s adventure, you can see more on Laura's blog too.

"I Love Durham"- massive snowdome over the statue in the Market Place, with snow inside, Mucka

"Crown of Light" I love Durham Cathedral- pictures didn't do this justice at all.

"Les Voyageurs"- really loved these down the streets. Amazing.

Magical bridge, "Helvetictok"- telling the time on the passport office, "Binary Waves" by the riverside, another bridge lit up.

What I really wanted to see..

"Be Faithful to Your Dreams"- Tracey Emin. This was in a chruch yard at the bottom of Providance Bank, was quite spooky as me and Steph were the only people here along with a security guard, and then the music from the Cathedral display could be heard (think singing monks and roaring of fire).

Mucka in his snazzy winter coat.

You know what time of the month it is..

it’s RAYBOX time.

You know the rules £10 of your hard earned cash to be spent on a magical psychic RayBox (although pricing should be going up to £13).

So as you know with the whole beauty box trend, each and every month the boxes try to out do each other.. well readers, I think you will have to agree that this month’s RayBox has reached a whole new level..

Why…

CAUSE IT'S INVISABLE TO THE HUMAN EYE

Easily amused and all that jazz.

So what did I end up with this month..

17 Wild Metallic Eyes in Wild Nude and Wild Bronze (Boots- I blame Charlotte for making me want these) £3.99 each

Barry M Lip Paints in 147 and 153 £5 for both (Ellie's blog sale).

Total- £11.

I picked the eye shadow/mousses up to use on a daily basis for work (when I can be bothered to make an effort), as I didn't want to waste my Chanel Emmerville. I would say that texture wise they are nothing at all like its Chanel counterpart. The texture is very "wet" and if your eyes aren't primed properly, this lasts an entire 10 mins before creasing. Normally I apply these with my fingers (unhygenic I know) as the product is easier to work with. These were on 3 for 2 in Boots when I picked them up.

I initially bought the 147 to take on holiday with me, and loved until it vanished- yes literally vanished. I put some on my lips, put it in my bag, walked out my apartment and decided I wanted some more lipstick on, get it out my bag and the bullet was missing. It wasn’t in my bag, on the floor, on the floor in the apartment, on in the bed- literally vanished. Luckily Ellie came to the rescue. I also bought 153 off her too, haven’t had a chance to wear this on a night out yet, although I am liking the colour. Like all Barry M lipsticks they’re very drying on the lips and a good coat on lipbalm is needed before applying.

Cheeky swatches- go on then..

Have any of you jumped onto the RayBox trend??

Disqus Help Needed

Hey,

Super quick post (RayBox is coming later today), but I am having difficulty in putting disqus on the blog. Everytime I click "add disqus to blogger" (or add widget- whatever it is called), this comes up-

Can anyone help me install this on here? I know there is a HMTL code which you can copy and paste but I am utterly useless with it.

Cheers

xxx

You Want To See My Puppies??

"A little boy and little girl were walking down the street and a stranger came and he said you want to see my puppies and they said no. They shouted very loud and Jet came and helped them".

Ray aged 6.

Trip down memory lane.

Instagram Love

I think I must be one of the late arrivals who has jumped on the Instagram train, however as of late I've really enjoyed uploading the random pictures I take on my iPhone. Thought I would share with you some of my recent pictures. If you're on Instagram yourself follow me (@raywhoisshe).

Frwend (got to love a bit of The Inbetweeners), Tiny Tower- the game that is more addictive than crack, House of Harlow esq necklace (£2 off ebay, thanks to Victoria), Never a good idea to drink a strawberry milkshake when hungover.

Boost bar eating, Swanley the beaut (got to love MBFGW), Bit of Rick Astley, Holiday fun time.

Flowerbomb family, Duckface with some of my fav bloggers, Skittles ocd, Got to love festive jumpers.

The Saturdays, Lumiere Light Festival in Durham (post to come), Illamasqua blushes at the Leeds event last week (post to come).

Trying to pull the Murs, First red cup of the year, Ignore this picture (I am a spanner), Serious hair envy on my two favourite Kardashians.

Take Me To Utopia

Let me tell you a little story- I initially got this polish in January 2010 when Models Own first came out, swatched it, decided I hated the colour and gave it away. Fast forward 20 months and here we are.

I think every time I have been out with Ellie she’s worn this, and every time she’s worn it I’ve asked her where it’s from and it’s been Models Own Utopia. Trying to describe this colour is a job in itself however I would say it’s a pastel lilac/grey colour- not so much a “nude” shade, but something which I would class as a “nude” polish.

Like in my previous notd post, ignore the state of my cuticals I’ve been letting them grow (so to speak) ready for getting shellac (separate post on this to come).

Look how pretty is it, definately one of those nail polishes which I would deem "work" appropriate.

(For some reason Blogger likes to rotate my pictures).

With this colour I would definately suggest two coats, as one coat can look a bit streaky. Like all Models Own colours, the polish dries in record time. For this notd I used a base coat and then two coats of this. I very rarely use top coats with Models Own polishes as I find that they don't need them. Now as the proof is in the pudding- I painted my nails on Friday night and this is what they looked like on the following Friday..

This is not a joking picture at all- one week later and the only chippage is on my middle finger (and a little bit on my index finger). I am going to hold my hands up this isn't even chippage- my nail split and this is the damage it caused. Seriously I have never ever used a polish which has lasted an entire week without any chips.

If you don't have this polish in your collection I would definately recommend it and its only £5.

Wearing What You've Already Got...

As we’re practically mid way through December now and Christmas Night’s out and Parties will be in full swing, I thought I would share with you some alternative outfits which you can wear. Like I said in my previous posts (here and here) about what I think makes an Christmas outfit special/fabulous/better than everyone elses, I think December time is a bit of a daft month to be buying lots of new outfits/items of clothing.

Why I hear you cry..

The Sales!! There is nothing more disheartening than buying a fabulous pair of shoes in Topshop, or that dress you’ve had your eyes on for ages from Asos and then lo and behold they’re less than half price a few days later.  So what better way to get through the Christmas socialising by recycling certain items of clothing which no doubt you will have hidden in your wardrobe.

First up is wet look leggings- I have a pair from Topshop which I have had for the last 3 years and they still look good as new. If I ever get sick of wearing dresses/skirts on a night out this is what I go to. My only gripe about leggings is make sure your top covers your bits- no one wants to see your foof haha. As its Christmas, sequins and beads are needed. How fab is this vest from Topshop?? Yes I have to admit its way over priced however look at the amount of detailing it has- plus imagine if this was from All Saints.. easily add £100 to the £70. Whack a maxi clutch and some high heels- sorted.

Stripe Sequin Vest £70 Topshop.

Faux Leather Skinny Trousers £32 Topshop.

Pink Envelope Clutch £11 ASOS.

Metallic Snake Print Platform Heels £65 Topshop.

Next up is my personal favourite, and just looking at it has given me some inspiration for Black (Mad) Friday this Friday when I’m out with Michelle. On a side note I really want this All Saints skirt if it comes in the sales. I think since buying this vest from Topshop (mine is in cream though) I have really enjoyed wearing more silky/dressy plain vests. I spotted this ages ago on the Topshop site and then totally forgot about it. While having my massive Christmas party dress spending panic the other week in Newcastle I came across this. Luckily Santa’s little helper aka Papa Dave’s debit card came into play here and bought it ready for Christmas. However what Santa doesn’t know is that this top will be getting worn on Friday night (so shhh). Its Christmas and you just can’t go wrong with sparkles.

Black Vest With Strap Detail £30 Topshop (Santa has brought me this already).

Erodes Skirt £165 All Saints.

Most of you (bar me) will own a simple wrap around black dress (my cousin got a lush one from New Look recently)- simple way to jazz it up- statement heels and a coloured clutch. Simple yet fabulous

Wrap Dress with Belt £35 ASOS.

Leopard Platform Heels £65 Topshop.

Pink Envelope Clutch £11 ASOS.

What is your thoughts? Buy new items or recycle items from your wardrobe? Link me to your xmas outfits below!!

Ps- JEM is still alive, she'll be back soon, she's moving houses at the moment.

Pps- I'm installing disqus commenting system on the blog in the next few days so I can reply direct to your comments. I have no idea how to install it so bear with me.

Home Bargains.. On It..

..like a car bonnet.

While stocking up on nail polish remover the other week in home bargains after a mammoth gym session, I got thinking in the queue how much I rely on home bargains for my beauty basics. So I thought I would share with you my HB beauty bargains which I can’t live without.

Derma V10 Q10 Eye Cream £1.29- I swear by this eye cream, I’ve never really used that much eye cream before, however I thought as I’m starting to get on a bit I should start using it. Considering how cheap the product is, I’ve really seen an improvement around my eye area.

Derma V10 Q10 Night Cream £1.99 (I think, may have been cheaper)- After loving the eye cream, I thought for a change I’ll use this as my night cream. I’m still using my Elamis cream, so as soon as I’ve used that up I’ll be using this.

Hawaiian Tropic- you know how much I bot this stuff. Its holidays in a tub, fab for keeping fake/real tan in your skin for longer. I did a review on this ages ago (link). Normally this is £2.99 or £3.99 a tub and as you can see further down I like to be stocked up when it comes in. Better than paying £9.99 a tub from Boots.

St Moritz (£2.99 approx)- Every man and his dog loves this product and I always like to keep a bottle of the mousse handy incase I ever run out of St Tropez.

Nail Polish Remover (59p)- its cheap and cheerful and it does the job. HB also sells acetone free nail polish remover too.

Antiseptic Disinfectant (99p)- I use this once a day too bathe my helix and tragus piercings and I strangely really like the smell of it haha.

Cotton Wool pads (79p)- self explanatory item.

Horder of Hawaiian Tropic I know.

Then there is my favourite face wipes in the world (59p a packet or two for 99p)- I swear by these after a night out when you’re too tipsy to properly take your make up off. These do the job, then I use LE Cleanse and Polish the next morning. I seem to have amassed quite a few packets of these too.

Oh and if your still not sold Home Bargains sell these..

Get in maaaa belly

Giveaway Winner/Update

Very quick post from me today, I need to get sorted and get all my Christmas shopping done online in the next few days, so instead of sorting out this weeks blog posts I’ve been too busy looking for potential gifts for people.

First things first, the winner of the bracelet giveaway is

Louise

Can you email me your address to raybanrarr@gmail.com so I can get it posted out to you in the next week.

Yes the Christmas Office Night out has been and gone, the River Island dresses got delivered yesterday, so they’ll be getting sent straight back. I’m going to do a separate post on what dress I eventually ended up choosing later on in the week. However I’ve had a couple of tweets and Cher commented yesterday asking what the Bronze Dress looks like in person.. here it is..

I think it looks better on the website as it looks like the gold and black metallic dresses, but when you see it in person its completely different. It looks scaly if that makes sense. Did I wear this on Friday night?? You’ll just have to wait and see.

More tomorrow xx

Giveaway- Closed

Just a quick reminder that the giveaway to win a bracelet from The Bear and Gift Company closes at midnight tonight.

(remember the bracelet I'm giving away is BLACK and silver).

Enter Here

The Day Has Arrived

..Works Christmas Party.

As promised here is my potential outfits for tonight- 2 of them are still in the bag from Asos on my bedroom floor. Not impressed with River Island, ordered two dresses on Sunday they still haven't been dispatched... VERY disapointed with them, so I sent a ranty email to them last night. Best thing is take a guess as to which dress I am wanting to wear tonight- yes the River Island one.

Anyway these are the choices-

Coral and Pink Grecco Twist Front Dress- Aqua (via Asos) £22.50 each (you read right)

Bronze Metallic Shift Dress- £35 River Island

The buggers which still haven't come-

Silver (left) and Gold (right) Zig Zag Shift Dress, River Island (£28 each).

Off to get my hair coloured and shellac on my nails- what colour to go for??

What dress do you think I'll be wearing tonight?? Lets have a cheeky wager on it

Happiness in a Bottle

This nail polish was mentioned in my monthly favourites (here) and here’s the proper review of it. From today’s post onwards this is the new format for notd posts- its all good me saying to you a polish lasts x amount of days before chipping, but the proof is in the pudding. I’m going to show you the state of my nails right before taking the polish off so you can see for yourself whether the polish is still going strong. Its worth noting that on average I’m typing on a keyboard for 8 hours a day, then there is my phone etc.

As you may have noticed on Models Own Juicy Jules and OPI Rainbow Connection have been very popular lately throughout the beauty community. Nothing beats a good glitter nail polish at this time of year, and in our goodie bags from the Leeds Blogger Meet we received this bobby dazzler.

Pop Beauty Nail Glam

(Ignore the state of my cuticals- they're getting sorted on Friday when I get shellac)

Just look how pretty it is in the bottle- best thing is it only took 2 coats to get this intensity!! I think the major draw back with glitter nail polishes is that regardless of how many pictures you take you can never capture the true sparklyness of a polish.

Now I painted my nails (with a clear base coat first) on Saturday morning a couple of weeks ago, and this is what it looked like the following Friday night right before taking it off.

Pretty impressive or what?? As you can see by the arrows there is very little tip wear/chips on the polish. Normally I find nail polish fades after a couple of days, but I can confirm that the nails are as sparkly as they were on Saturday when painted. The only downside of glitter polish is taking it off, the polish would not budge. It took a good 15 minutes to thoroughly remove this.

Pop Beauty is available online and in Debenhams.

(I have marked this with a * as I received this in a goodie bag from a PR company, however as always reviews are 110% honest)