Bit of a ‘quiet’ month for me, magazine wise. Since getting into blogs I’ve basically stopped buying weeklys and this month saw a serious reduction in my glossy-buying. Not sure why, just busy I guess. Also, you will notice, no freebies this month. Sad times! C’mon magazine editors – it is (was) Christmas!
Company January 2014 
My fave magazine of the month was Company. It was their #companysocial issue so had lots in it about social media, from YouTuber interviews (yey Zoella!) to a LinkedIn how-to – something I definitely need! They also introduced a new column Love My Life. Like a lifestyle blog on a page featuring Anna Barnett and her favourite recipe, hangouts and mates, it’s nice to have a feature that’s just about being positive.
Insta-Glam was about makeup to make you look Instagram flawless 24/7 featuring X-Pro II,Rise, Amaro and Kelvin. What no Valencia? #nofilter
This Insta Outfit article was definitely of interest to me. I want to get into doing more fashion related posts but lack of a tripod, decent background and general self-consciousness holds me back. Maybe this is the way forward for me?
Lastly, Gem Royston-Claire celebrated all that she has learnt from Beauty Bloggers in her column. Definitely agree with you *slathers face with Hydraluron*
Glamour January 2014 
Proving Gem’s point above, Glamour had it’s 2014 Beauty from A-Z, at M, (just one example) the Marchesa nails wraps that did the rounds on the blogs months ago. C’mon Glamour!
I did enjoy this interview with Jennifer Saunders, although I felt as though Celia Walden asked very ‘light’ questions. Anyway, I love how honest she was about her frustrations with the BBC and how corporate and detached from the public it has become. Refreshing to have a bit of honesty from someone within the industry.
Cosmopolitan January 2014 
Despite the title and the blurb of this feature being slightly worrying, Cosmo quite rightly condemned the double standards in the law and in society when it comes to protecting boys as well as girls from sexual predators. Feminism is about equality, in all areas, for the sake of everyone.
I love the styling and location of the Winter Whites fashion piece. Wish I was brave enough to rock sequins with my chunky knits. One day!
What magazines have you been reading lately? I’d love some new, fresh titles for 2014, any recommendations for me?
I kinda have a bit of a magazine addiction. So I’m starting a new series here – A Mag Education aka What I Learnt from the Magazines I Bought This Month. Sound good? Lets go.
First up – who won the battle of the freebies? We were given a generous offering from Marie Claire with a L’Occitane hand cream (I got the violet one which smells divine) but it has to go to Instyle for its trio of Ren’s skin care minis.
A special guest from the States! Nail It busted some nail related myths including the whole “you need to let your nails breathe” one. Nope! Nail polish every day it is. 
Nail It also taught me that I will never have the patience to paint my nails with oil paint, no matter how cute that textured tartan look is.
Speaking of tartan, Look taught me that ‘funnel necks’ are officially a thing and that I need this beauty from Closet. Tartan and Funnels – double trending done!
“Would you try Hollywood’s Corset Diet?” Hell no! I’d like my organs to stay where they are, ta very much.
Turns out Company are “well impressed” with little old me! Aww.
Olivia Wilde is pure awesomesauce. I loved her The Dos & Don’ts of Turning 30 feature. “I’d rather be a good person who makes people happy than a dick who wins a nobel by 32.” Slightly implying that Einstein was a dick, but hey, it was funny.
I am a sucker for a heavy-handed film reference or two. I loved the styling of this photo shoot.
Revel in the awesomeness! I’m so happy to get the magazines, apparently Nail It was fairly hard to find but my lovely friends persevered and hunted it down. And I couldn’t believe the size of Allure! The only problem is, I know I’m going to find stuff in it that I’ll want but won’t be able to get in the UK. Why don’t we have a magazine like this here?
Can you tell I love my eye products? The Maybelline Colo(u)r Tattoo’s are their Pure Pigments. I believe that these will be making an appearance in the UK soon but I’m impatient. On the left is ‘Downtown Brown’ and on the right is the awesomely named ‘Breaking Bronze’. What’s the bet that if we do get this in the UK they’ll change the name to something boring ala ‘Bad to the Bronze’ becoming ‘On and On Bronze’. A quick swatch tells me that a teeny amount goes a long way with these bad boys. Will report back on staying power.
Check out this Wet ‘n’ Wild ‘Comfort Zone’ palette. Especially that cheeky little duochrome in the bottom right. Hello every shade I’ll need for A/W! I requested this specific palette after seeing Lily Pebbles blog about it, and I am not disappointed. Lovely soft, pigmented shadows and a perfect colour selection. The guide on the back is pretty handy for learners like me too.
This is Maybelline’s Color Whisper in ‘Lust for Blush’. Again, I believe that these are on their way to the UK. This is a lovely soft pink, it’s slightly too pale to be a ‘your lips but better’ shade on me, but is very wearable with a hint of shine and colour. Can definitely see getting plenty of wear out of this.
Well it’s officially autumn in the AlleyHope residence with these burning. These are mini’s from Bath and Body Works and they smell so good. The Blackberry Spice one reminds me of an apple and blackcurrant pie (yum) and the Marshmallow Fireside one just smells so cosy. We don’t really do pumpkin in the UK as much as America seems to, but the strongest scent in Sweet Cinnamon Pumpkin is definitely the cinnamon element. Rather than burning this for Halloween I’ll be keeping it ’til Christmas. Very appropriate.
Lastly, I got this adorable sugar skull money-box from Lola Star on Coney Island Boardwalk. I love Day of the Dead iconography and this looks perfect on my new desk.
