Posted On: 08/05/2015
By: Zoe Delaney
The Met Quarter isn’t just home to the best toilets in Liverpool (seriously, it’s the best place to go for a wee) – it’s packed with brands, boutiques and beauty counters. In dire need of a wardrobe overhaul in time for the summer (*insert sarcastic quip about British summertime here*), I had a look round the shopping centre to see what’s on offer.
Illamasqua
Illamasqua have changed the game again.
Is anyone else a little bit daunted by contouring? Sure, I’ll let makeup artists work their magic on me but put me in front of my bathroom mirror with a pile of foundations and concealers and I haven’t got a clue where to start. Not just that, the end result isn’t always the most natural look – not idea for the office. So Illamasqua’s new range of Gel Sculpt sticks are a god send for the amateur like me, after an organic contoured look.
Katie kindly talked me through the new products, hailed by Cosmo as a game changer, and how a novice like me can get a makeup game so strong even Kim K would ask for tips.
“They’re not just for contouring, the colours can be used to brighten up your eyes, put some on your lips – they’re a very versatile product,” she told me while I watched my cheeks go from chubby to contoured.
“These products are gel based which makes them a dream to go on and last. For a natural look, you can put the gel on the pad of your palm and then find your cheekbones and press it in that way.”
While I was initially a bit weary of oranges, purples and browns going on my face, I couldn’t get over what a natural look was achieved – eyes, lips and cheeks all on point from the same product.
Miss Francesca Couture
A Scouse Bird favourite, Miss Francesca Couture’s dress are iconic with Liverpool fashion – who doesn’t remember Amanda Harrington working one for Desperate Scousewives promo shoots? The celebrity’s favourite boutique is packed with summer ready outfits to ensure you stand out – whether by the pool in Ibiza or staying local in Chavasse Park. One of my favourite picks from the store was the wide range of trousers suitable to wear when it heats up for mainly one reason – chubby rub. As someone who hasn’t got an ankle gap, let alone a thigh gap, my thighs suffer dreadfully when the sun comes out and the dresses and skirts come on. I’m stocking up on loose fitting, thick thigh friendly trousers!
Olivia Divine
The statement necklace is now officially a wardrobe staple. Sod the fashion magazines that bang on about white blouses and versatile black trousers – you need a good statement necklace before any of that boring rubbish. A good place to start your collection is Olivia Divine; individual, original pieces come in at around 30 quid. Considering a necklace from Primark can come in at a tenner and leave you with a rash after 5 minutes of wearing it, it’s worth having a look round fab reasonably boutiques like this.
Celeb Boutique
There’s no brand out there who have made such a splash in such a shprt space of time. Even J-Lo and The Kardashians are a fan of this figure hugging London brand. If you’ve got it, there’s no better way to flaunt it than in their new season collection… and even if you haven’t got it, their bandage dresses are a LIFE SAVER! Can I get an AMEN??
XOXO
Met Quarter – 35 Whitechapel, Liverpool L1 6DA
0151 224 2390
Monday – Wednesday: 09.30 – 18.00
Thursday: 09.30 – 19.00
Friday – Saturday: 09.30 – 18.00
Sunday: 11.00 – 17.00
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