For anyone that knows me, they know how much I love Alice in Wonderland from the book to the film to character merchandise to even limited collections. Lindy Bop recently sent me a new dress to review and it was Alice themed!!! Can you believe it? The *Audrey Alice Through the Looking Glass swing dress has a green background with a glorious Alice print all around the skirt featuring Alice herself, Cheshire Cat and the White Rabbit. I screamed a little when I opened the parcel and saw the print!


I wanted to pick a new location to shoot this dress in and a couple of weekends ago me and some friends took a trip to Blackpool 'the wonderland of the north'. Blackpool has so much to offer for it's visitors from the Pleasure Beach, Blackpool Tower, 3 Piers and lots of tourist attractions. We made the trip to Blackpool because Benefit Cosmetics Hoola Con-tour van was there that weekend giving out samples of their new Quickie Con-tour Stick and sticks of candy rock. The van was step up right next to Coral Island, one of my favourite places in Blackpool and had a face in the hole beach theme set up, we had to take a photo and upload it to socials to be given the sample.
The sun was shining and because it was a Sunday there was a car show on the front so we headed over to check it out, we thought it was a great idea to shoot some shots in front of one of the cars, the green Mustang drew us all in, it was shining in the sun and looked absolutely fabulous; everyone was stopping to have a closer look. There was also a Volkswagen Hippie Van that of course I have to have my photo taken with, it even had the extending roof; one day I will own a hippie van and travel around in style.

I totally forgot my lipstick :(

Looking closer into the dress's print you can see all the details, theres little garden signs saying 'That way', 'Yonder' and 'Down' making me think about the Alice in Wonderland stories so much more. The flowers and sketch-style illustrations draws me in even more, every time I look at this dress I see something new. I love the style of the design, it reminds me of book illustrations, it's so creative! Not only do we have our favourite characters in the dress print but the check boarder print and playing card symbols bring in the Red Queen character without actually having an illustration of her. The flowers in the dress go right up to the waistline and continue onto the bodice showing more of the beautiful green colour.


I was happy to find a belt included with the dress, the purple PU belt breaks up the dress and adds more of a vintage look to the style, the dress has two belt loops which hold the belt in place around my waist. The floaty skirt is my favourite part of the dress, it moves with me and can be worn with an underskirt to dress the look up, this would also enhance the print. What's even better, a lot of Lindy Bop dresses come with pockets in the side seam and this one has them, who doesn't love a dress with pockets? I certainly do, I'm never without my phone so having hidden pocket in the dress gives me somewhere to put my phone and other little bits.


The Looking Glass theme was perfect with my vanity mirror tattoo on my arm, we got some shots showing the dress with my tattoo as well. Personally my tattoos make me feel more myself and I can express myself through them, it's been too long since my last one so I must book in again soon; I've got some ideas in mind already. I paired the dress with an old pair of TUK's that have been in my shoe collection for some years but I get them out from time to time and wear them with dresses or jeans. I thought the pink detail and heart shaped lace loops went well with the dress print because theres pink florals in the print and theres also little heart illustrations. TUK shoes are really comfortable and I wear a black pair for work so they are good for being on your feet for a long time and walking around easily.



Since it was a sunny and warm day in Blackpool I didn't need a jacket but I would pair this dress with a cardigan or my usual faux leather jacket because that goes with everything!

Lindy Bop have got loads of new dresses online and theres even a sale going on so head over to their website and check out the bargains! Keep an eye out on my socials for a review of their floral sneakers too, I can already tell you they are cute and comfy.

This is my first ever competition on my blog and I'm so excited for everyone to get involved! Urban Decay contacted me to ask if I would like to run a completion on Twitter to thank my readers/followers and of course I agreed! What's even more exciting is the prize... a full set of Alice Through the Looking Glass lipsticks that are no longer on sale!!! Amazing right??

So your now thinking well how do I enter this fabulous competition??? Easy... follow @gemsupnorth and @urbandecaycosmetics on twitter, retweet the competition tweet and thats it!

The Alice in Wonderland books, films and merchandise have been a favourite of mine for years, I absolutely loved Tim Burton's take on Alice In Wonderland back in 2010 and now we have another instalment with Tim Burton on board but not directing this time with the Alice Through the Looking Glass movie which is now in cinemas. I went to watch it on Bank Holiday Monday and it was fabulous, I got so inspired throughout the film from the characters makeup and costumes.

I am as excited as the next person about the Urban Decay Alice Through the Looking Glass collection that launched on May 5th, you can read my post about the launch day at my local UD counter here. On launch day I was able to see the palette in all its glory and see the whole collection of lipsticks in the range too, as well as get my makeup done using the collection.

Urban Decay have very kindly sent the palette to me for a review, I literally squealed as I opened the parcel last week I was so excited. The palette is so gorgeous to look at, the eyeshadow shades are just beautiful and there is a shade for everyone and every look.
Alice Through the Looking Glass Palette priced at £43.00

We have all seen the palette on the Internet and probably in stores now so we all know how amazing it looks with the film quotes featured on the drawer front and inside the lid and of course the pretty blue butterfly hiding under the pull up doors which flutters as you open them. Under the lid also features a large mirror with the famous quote "We're all mad here", one of my favourite quotes from the Cheshire Cat. The palette really is a dressing table piece which is where I will be keeping mine; in pride of place. The palette packaging is very secure too with the eyeshadows being in the pull out drawer they are safe from damages when in the post and when travelling, the whole palette comes in a box too which of course matches the theme with the kaleidoscope imagery all over the box.

Inside the pull out drawer there are 20 eyeshadow shades in 5 sections each with 4 eye shadows included. Each of the 5 sections are inspired by a character from the film starting with Alice. Alice wears minimum makeup during the original film and Through the Looking Glass so these shades are nude in colour except for the bottom shade 'Metamorphosis' which is a periwinkle blue with sparkle; this reminds me of 'Absolem' the caterpillar and beautiful blue butterfly in the new movie. The other 3 shades; 'Looking Glass', 'Reflection' and 'Dormouse' in the Alice column are great for base shades or for when your wanting a 'no makeup' look.

Moving on to the second column themed with the Mad Hatter in mind, this is one of my favourite sections in the whole palette because I love bright eyeshadow colours. The first shade is 'Hatter' a green sparkly colour which is completely correct for the character, I like to pair this with the bottom shade 'Cake' a pink shimmer shade to create a bright stand out eye look. 'Gone Mad' is a purple pearl shade which of course I love being a fan of anything purple and 'Paradox' is another pearl shade but this time an orange colour, I think paradox has a pearl, shimmer and glitter result when being worn.


The third column hosts a few more stubble shades being themed on 'Mirana' (The White Queen) who wears white princess costumes and pale makeup (minus her dark lipstick) in both movies. The bottom shade 'Chessboard' is one of 3 matte shades in the palette, its a medium brown colour that's easy to work into many different looks. 'Kingdom' is another brownish shade but with more copper included and 'Duchess' is a peach/pink sparkle shade which is another great base shade. The top pan features another favourite shade of mine 'Lily' a opal pearl white shade; this is just gorgeous on and can be used on the inner corners to highlight your eyes and also as a highlighter under the brow line.


The last two sections move into darker shades that are great for smokey eye and vivid eye looks. 'Iracebeth' (The Red Queen) is the inspiration for the forth column and has two blue shades, a fierce metallic red and a base beige shimmer shade which can be used to add sparkle to any eye look; this shade is called 'Royal Flush'. 'Bandersnatch' is the second matte shade in the palette and its glorious; its a teal blue shade that melts onto my eyelids perfectly, I love it! 'Heads Will Roll' is the top shade of the column and the other blue shade however I think this has green elements reminding me of the colour of the time travelling sea; which will make sense to anyone who has seen the new movie. Lastly 'Salazen Grum' the metallic crimson red shade just screams the Red Queen with a fierce result, this was my favourite shade used at the launch day event.

Lastly 'Time' gives us the smokey yet elegant shades in the palette, this is my second favourite column because I'm a sucker for dark shades for a good old smokey eye. 'Time' is a almost black satin shadow which adds a mysterious dark look to anyone's eyes, I like to top with the next shade 'Dream On' which adds a sparkle and metallized look with a hint go purple too. 'Chromosphere' is another metallic shade with copper and bronze elements like the colours you would see on watch workings and spare pieces, again this will make sense to anyone who's already seen the movie. And the last shade in the palette is a grey 'Mirror' shade with a satin look so again it's great for that smokey look we all know and love.


Every shade in the palette works perfectly with the characters and reminds me of scenes, props and costumes in the new and old films which is exactly what I would expect from a movie themed palette.
The pigmentation of every shade is amazing just like any of the other UD eyeshadows, I always use the Potion Primer under any eyeshadow to help keep the shades vibrant and stay in place all day with no creases. With a range of shades from nudes, brights, sparkle and dark you can use this palette to create many many looks for everyday work makeup to 'I'm going on the biggest night out ever' makeup and you know each look will stay and last all day and night too!

There is a double ended brush included in the palette too, this has the same colourful imagery on the handle which matches the whole palette. The brush has a smudge and dense end along with a more loose brush on the other end; this is great for applying those base shades in the palette. The brush design is the same as the brush in my Vice4 palette and I use that brush all the time so I'm glad I have another quality brush to apply my eyeshadows.


Urban Decay have literally made the palette and collection of the year, its sold out nearly everywhere and social media went crazy over it, I was stalking the UD pages as soon as I heard about the palette.

I have rushed home to get this post typed up because I am so in love with my makeup right now, I have just got back from my local Urban Decay counter in Debenhams.

Today is the official launch day for Urban Decay's Through the Looking Glass collection (5th May) and my local UD counter was hosting a Mad Hatter's Tea Party event to promote the new range. I'd spotted the poster in the store last week so got myself and my friend booked in for the complimentary  makeup masterclass they was offering.











Of course the masterclass was using the new collection's palette and choice of lipstick. The hype for this collection has been high on social media, I have been stalking UD's pages since I first heard about it, I needed launch dates, sneak peaks, prices etc and now we have it all.


We was booked in at 4pm, when we got there we was greeted by the lovely Urban Decay assistant/MUA Jade, I was first to get my makeup done, I spent ages looking at the Through the Looking Glass palette (priced at £43.00) before having my makeup done, I was admiring it so much, I mean the packaging, as we have all seen online looks incredible but to see it in person was another level. The pretty blue 3D butterfly which moves as you open the box just sets the theme perfectly, the pull out drawer holding the 20 eyeshadow shades is just magical then theres the matching double ended brush which has the same design as the lipstick packaging on it. Oh its like the dream makeup product of 2016!!


First of all Jade applied the all faithful Potion Primer to my eye lids, this product is my number one primer as I've said in my last UD post which you can read here. Starting on the inside of my eyes Jade applied Lily which is an opal pink pearl shade from the Miranda (The White Queen) section, moving onto blending in 3 shades; Salazen Grum (Metallic Crimson) from the Iracebeth (The Red Queen) section, Paradox (vibrant orange with gold pearl) from the Mad Hatter section and finally the shade Duchess (peach with pink shift and micro sparkle) from the Miranda section. My favourite shade of the 4 used is the Salazen Grum because of the metallic element and I am used to darker shades when it comes to eyeshadow.
After using these fabulous shadows Jade added a little Moondust Glitter Sparkly Eyeshadow which set my eyes off amazingly, talk about wow! This shadow is a bit like a wax when applied using your fingertip and adds glitter evenly. I think I will be investing in one of these on payday.
I would usually apply eyeliner after my eyeshadow but with this mix of shades its not needed, it could be added for night out but for an everyday look I actually like it without the black liner.


My eyes were looking great, next up was lipstick. The Through the Looking Glass Lipstick collection (priced at £16.00 each) has 5 shades in the range, including 2 matte shades. Alice is a sheer nude with pink elements, Iracebeth is a matte bright red, Time is a sliver/blue shade (gun-metal navy), Mad Hatter one of 2 purple shades this one a bright purple shimmer and lastly my favourite and chosen shade Miranda which is a matte berry with a shimmer. I'm all for matte shades lately and for me personally they have better staying power, but I like a little shimmer here and there, Miranda has both elements in it; and of course its purple (my favourite colour).


The whole counter was dressed up in the Through the Looking Glass theme and they also had a full tea party table set up for photo opportunities of course. The table was filled with tea pots, cups, saucers, rabbits, clocks and more including the new palette obversely. Me and my friend was asked to sit at the table to have our photograph taken, we both held a UD palette too.



I loved my experience at the UD counter today, I just wish I had taken my camera instead of just my iPhone (hence not my usual camera quality images, sorry guys). The whole masterclass was complimentary and we received a little free gift when leaving which had some samples inside. Jade the MUA was really lovely, and had a laugh and chat with us the whole way though, she let me know which shades she was using throughout the make over too. I shall me be back for more makeup sessions soon. Thank you to Jade, Urban Decay and Debenhams.

I will be writing a full palette and lipstick review as soon as I get the collection; where I will also be photographing swatches. Keep a look out for that post, I'll update my Twitter and Instagram as soon as its live.

Here's a couple of selfies to show my make over off, I'm so happy with it! I'm all dolled up and no where to go though, I am going to try and recreate this look when I get my palette too; plus many many more Alice themed looks.