No more shiny holiday face!

I try not to wear make up on holiday because I like the natural look with a tan, a bit of mascara and liner, nude gloss and its done.
The main issue is the shiny t zone, I do not really want to wear concealer because its full make up and I want to be free of it for a couple of weeks.
In my search to keep it real and not shiny I found the best product was mattifying balm by Wild about beauty, it works a treat!
The shine is gone and it gives you a matte look. Whats more its universal! So no seeking out a shade to suit you.
This is a must have for a hot holiday, and its natural look that leaves you looking matte without the liquid.
Buy online today http://wildaboutbeauty.com

Fashion: am to pm dressing

I think it's safe to say that prior to having children I would take my time getting ready for a night out. 

Proceedings would start at around 7pm when I'd have a lovely bath with scented candles and a glass of vino. I'd then body brush, apply some lotion, try on various outfits and take at least 40 minutes to do my makeup and hair alone.

Post children it's a VERY different story! These days my evening routine consists of bathing the kids, drying their hair, brushing their teeth and bribing them into bed with a story...hoping and preying they don't make a fuss so that I can have a quick wash, patch up my makeup and change into some heels in the hope of making my day outfit work for the evening!

This has led me to thinking recently that I need to purchase some pieces that would work perfectly from day to evening. So, all in the name of research of course, here are my top finds. Hopefully you will find something here to help you out the next time you're in a tight spot.

Try this Isabel Marant dress with gladiators in the daytime and wedges for night, all from The Outnet:

Haider Ackermann gladiator sandals, £215

Isabel Marant dress, £331

Corrina wedge sandals, £78

Or how about either of these jumpsuits from ASOS:

Reclaimed Vintage Playsuit, £48

Kimono playsuit in vintage floral, £40

Alternatively, how about one of these offerings from Kate Moss for Topshop?

Paisley print sundress, £65 

Embroidered heart playsuit, £75

Fashion: Animal print - your alt neutral (it goes with everything)

Animal print is not for everyone, but don't instantly dismiss it. Why? Because its all about the way you wear it. It has to be styled properly. Once you've mastered this however, then you can match it to just about anything.

If you are brave enough, then go for it with a leopard print skirt like Sienna Miller

Or why not try a maxi dress teamed with a black biker jacket

If this is too much then just add a dash here and there. Two of us at stylekt11 just purchased these Zara sandals with a subtle dash of animal print on one of the straps

Sandals, Zara £15.99

Or how about an animal print pair of heels? They instantly dress up a simple casual outfit of jeans, plain tee and leather jacket. Hey presto, day to night combo done. 

Christian Louboutin - Iriza 100 leopard-print satin pumps £425, net-a-porter.com

But if this is still too much then accessorise with a gorgeous bag like this one from Alexander Wang

Animal print…absolutely nothing Bet Lynch about it, just the ultimate in cool and fabulous.

Beauty: Charlotte Tilbury Beach Sticks

I am currently trying to get ready for my summer holiday. I like to take less make up, but ensure that less is more, so to speak.

My plan is to get my brows shaped, tinted and groomed before I leave, so I am going to try HD brows. I am contemplating fake lashes in the hope of making my eyes pop without makeup.

I also want something to contour my face and give me a glow with my tan. So in my quest for natural beauty, I have come across top make up artist Charlotte Tilbury's range. It's gorgeous and the packaging is beautiful. 

For the summer Charlotte Tilbury (bestie of and make up artist to Kate Moss) has come up with beach sticks.  They come in a beautiful range of colours to suit all skin tones. I have picked one that gives me an uplift and adds contour to give that glossy holiday look. It's for lips AND cheeks so this has lessened my make up load for holiday already. The stick is generous in size and so will last for many a holiday to come.

Grab one today, and get that natural glamorous glow that we all secretly covet come summer.

Beach sticks - limited edition by Charlotte Tilbury

Fashion: the skort

Despite the million and one lunges I do day in, day out, my legs are still by far my worst feature! 'They're not that bad' people (including my husband) will say...but let me tell you, they're not that good either!

Shorts therefore are not my 'go to' item of clothing. That all changed however when some cleaver cleaver designer decided to bring out something called the 'skort'. A cross between a skirt and a short. Basically a pair of shorts with a skirt type flap at the front. Genius! They basically make a pair of shorts way more wearable and flattering.

Mine are black and from Zara last winter, but this summer sees everyone jumping on the bandwagon and bringing out their own version.

Wear them with a loose top (whether it's a vest, cami or tee) tucked in, flats or wedges for the day and shoe-boot sandals by night.

Grab a pair next time you head to the changing room and see for yourself. A very wearable look indeed…

Topshop metallic sunflower skort £25

New Look skort £17.99

Fashion: three cuts making our short list this summer

This year shows the shorts being reinvented in three different lengths, one to suit every body shape and occasion imaginable.

First up comes the culotte. Just a few inches below the knee in length and often with a pleated front. These look fabulous with block heels for the evening and most are very high waisted so you could even get away with a crop top showing just an hint of flesh above the waistband (i.e. not really showing your waist at all but the bit which is much further up and hopefully slightly more toned!). We love this pair from Whistles in navy blue at £165.

Next up, the length that will suit absolutely EVERYONE! Knee length. Sitting just above the knee these are a great alternative for the daytime if you're not quite brave enough to wear your shorts short. They are the shorts chic alternative and this year come in an array of colours and patterns. Because of their flattering cut you don't need to play safe on the print either - go as bold as you like. We love these printed ones from Hobbs at £89

and the simplicity of these denim ones from Dorothy Perkins at just £20

Finally, the 'short' shorts. Cut this year in some super flattering styles with a slightly wider leg opening and higher waists,  meaning that they are no longer reserved for teenage festival goers. Pair them with a blazer and wedges in the evening, et voila... a flash of leg in a sophisticated fashion! We love this printed pair from Zara and they' re currently in the sale at just 19.99 so hurry up!

Beauty: Bobbi Brown Beach

When it comes to make up, we love it here at Stylekt11, and we love a good smell. As age creeps in I think we can become routine with our fragrance, and tend to stick to what we know.

I used to be like this and then I found Beach by Bobbi Brown, and now my 5 year spell has been broken. 

Firstly I am desperate for a holiday, and this smells like holiday, it fresh, summery and has that beautiful clean smell. 

Its so many things in one bottle, and it makes me feel happy. 

If you feel like its time to try something new, and want something uplifting then try this wonderful fragrance, I can imagine it suits a lot of people, after all who doesn't love a holiday smell!

The complete Bobbi Brown beach set