If Anna Russell were alive today she'd be the ultimate dream babe, #goals and likely to be part of Britain's coolest girl gang. If you have no idea who I'm banging on about (like me 10 minutes ago...) prepare to be enlightened. Anna Russell- aka Queen Victoria's bezzie, was the brains behind the afternoon tea. Yep. This means before this babe stepped on the scene, the concept of sitting down with trays of finger sandwiches, scones, cakes and endless cups of tea whilst having a good old gossip with your gal pals wasn't a thing. Just imagine! For me, my absolute favourite treat is tucking into the perfect afternoon tea. It's just so quintessentially British! I mean where else in the world is it considered sophisticated to slap on layers of clotted cream and jam and demolish a tray full of cakes before 5pm?

Now if you're like me and love a spot of afternoon tea, you HAVE to go to the Ritz at least once in your life. There is no place better in the world in my eyes. Yes I adore sketch, (the interior, the bathrooms, the food- it's just the dream) but if you want something a little bit more old school fancy schmanchy, then the Ritz is absolute perfection.

Upon our arrival we were quickly met with a fresh glass of rosé champagne before the prettiest floral china tea set was placed in front of us, filled with finger sandwiches, warm scones and delectable cakes. I mean talk about #instagoals- I couldn't not snap about a million pictures right?

Anyway when a gal finds herself with an invite to the afternoon tea of dreams there's only one thought that enters my mind- OMG what can I possibly wear?!? But fear not gals- Joanie has it covered. As soon as I saw this dress back in November at the Joanie shoot, it was love at first sight and when it landed on their site, I snapped it up as fast as you can say Victoria sponge! I mean it may as well be called the Harriet dress because it's as if someone read my mind and created my ultimate dream dress. 

Where do I even start. A collar adorned with red love hearts, a massive white bow with the cutest 'I left my heart in NYC' embroidery, the perfect sixties shape, Monochrome AND pockets. I mean, I have to hand it to the gals at Joanie- they are absolutely killing it at the moment. Teamed with my favourite red strappy heels from Zara, a cute vintage red bag (I mean let's go all out with the red accessories here...) and of course a coating or two of red lipstick, my perfect Valentine's Day outfit was complete!

So go on gals, treat yourself. Book that afternoon tea, wear that red lippy with your favourite dress and you'll honestly have the best evening of your life! In my head you feel like a princess as soon as you walk through the doors and what girl doesn't deserve the princess treatment every once in a while?

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Products Used

Primer- No7 airbrush primer

Foundation- Georgio Armani luminous silk shade 3

Concealer- Maybelline eye eraser shade 1

Powder- Chanel translucent loose finishing powder

Contour- Anastasia Beverly Hills powder contour kit, light

Blush- Benefit coralista

Highlighter- The Balm, Mary Lou manizer

Brows- Benefit precisely my brow shade 3, Benefit gimme brow shade 3

Eyeshadow- Chanel eyeshadow quad (les 4 ombres)- mix of the 3 brown shades

Eyeliner- Kat von Dee tattoo liner

Water line liner- Rimmel kajal eyeliner

Mascara- Top, Lancome Grandiose mascara, Bottom, Estee Lauder double wear mascara

Lipstick- Revlon pink in the afternoon lipstick

Once your happy with your base, I applied a strong contour to try and recreate the incredible cheekbones of all the 60's French girls I adore so much (well trying my best anyway!) and add a pop of coral coloured blush on the apples of my cheeks alongside a subtle highlight- you don't want to go too glittery, try and keep it more on the natural side.

I filled in my brows and then it's onto the most important part- the eyes! First I applied a light cream shade all across the lids and up to the eyebrow. Then once the base was applied I used a small pencil eyeshadow brush (the zoeva one is fab) and applied a light beige shade in the crease. Sixties girls loved a really defined crease line, so place the brush in your socket line and use light strokes back and forth until you achieve a defined line- it should extend slightly to mimic your cat eye flick. Once you've got the line sorted build up the colour using darker brown shades until it's much more dramatic. Try not to blend it either, I know it seems weird leaving such a defined line on your crease but if you blend it out you'll lose that sixties look. Then apply your cat eye flick- I wish I could tell you some magic trick on how to get it right but it really just takes practice. I would say make sure your elbow is firmly on a surface to steady your hand and take your time! For a sixties shape I tend to point the flick downwards a bit before flicking it out- this really opens up your eyes too.

Then I popped a nude eyeliner in the water line- opt for white if you really want a dramatic sixties look and now onto lashes, my favourite part. I use the Troy Surratt eyelash curlers (THE best curlers ever!!!) to really point the lashes upwards. Then I apply lashings of Lancome grandiose mascara- I haven't found a mascara that can top this and its 100% worth the splurge (save up your boots points and buy the mascara gift set before Christmas!). Then I use double wear mascara on the bottom lashes as I find this doesn't smudge and has a much smaller wand so it's great for catching all the small lashes on your bottom lash line. Jane Birkin in particular is known for her dolly like bottom lashes so try and apply a few coats to really make them stand out.

Add a pop of Revlon lipstick (the shade used my Audrey in Breakfast at Tiffanies nonetheless) and your done! It's a pretty easy look to create, yet is so effective at making your eyes look much bigger and giving you that modern sixties look. If you want to make it even more dramatic you could add a red lip- perfect for Christmas parties- but I like to stick to a coral/pink shade for a softer sixties look.

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