Wednesday, 22 October 2014

'Everyday' Makeup Products


Today I am going to share my 'Everyday' Makeup Products. I don't wear makeup everyday, but these are the products I use when I do. They help me make my face look presentable and get me out of the door quickly!




3. Bobbie Brown Corrector in Peach

4. Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer in Warm Medium 3

5. NARS Concealer in Medium2 Ginger

6. Sleek Brow kit in Dark 818

7. Maybelline Brow Drama in Medium Brown

8. NYX Blush in Mocha/Mocha

9. Benefit They're Real Mascara

10. Soap and Glory's One Heck of a Blot Transparent Powder

11. Tanya Burr Lipgloss in Chic


I hope you enjoyed this post! See you soon!




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Sunday, 12 October 2014

My Autumn/Winter Wool Duffle Coat


Zara was selling a coat very similar (if not the same) to this one last year. However, by the time I came across it, it had sold out. So I was ecstatic to see they had bought it out again this year. It's gorgeous and I am in love with the huge fluffy hood. It's one of the main features I look for in a winter coat. It also comes in a couple of other colours (beige and khaki).



Have you found your perfect autumn/winter coat yet? :)

I hope you enjoyed this post!




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Wednesday, 1 October 2014

Autumn/Winter Nail Polishes


Recently I have been sorting through my nail polishes and I have also purchased a couple of new additions that I will be wearing over the autumn and winter months. So obviously I had to share them with you guys! 

Top Shop Nails in Dare Devil
Essie in Bahama Mama
Barry M in Raspberry
Barry M in Cappucino
Barry M Gelly Hi-Shine in Olive
Rimmel London Kate Salon Pro in Soul Session

What nail polishes will you be wearing over the autumn and winter months? :) 



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Wednesday, 17 September 2014

Sigma Brush Review


This year I went to IMATS London and I managed to get my hands on the full size Sigma Essential Brush Kit. I got them for a discounted price of around £90. The set includes the Large Powder F30, Large Contour F40, Duo Fibre F50, Foundation F60, Concealer F70, Large Shader E60, Eye Shading E55, Medium Angled Shading E70, Tapered Blending E40, Pencil E30, Eyeliner E05 and the Small Angle E65. They also came with a case, which would be good for traveling. 

Here are some of my favourites:
Duo Fibre F50 and the Foundation F60 - These brushes are my staples for applying foundation. I never really liked the look of the paintbrush look a like foundation brushes before, but since getting this kit the F60 is perfect for those days where I want lighter coverage.
Concealer F70 - I use this daily to apply my Bobbie Brown corrector under my eyes.
Small Angle E65 - This is essential for when I use the Sleek brow kit.
Eye Shading E55, Tapered Blending E40 and the Pencil E30 - These are my favourites for when I do eye makeup. 

Each brush is super soft, densely packed and perfect in size. I have washed them a lot and I haven't experienced a single shed hair. They are great quality all round. Whether you are wanting to invest in some new brushes or you're looking for some brushes to start off your makeup kit, I would highly recommend these. They make my makeup look flawless.

I would rate these brushes a 5/5.

I hope you found this review helpful. If you would like to know anything else about these brushes you can ask me in the comments or send me a tweet! Thanks x




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Saturday, 13 September 2014

5 Quick Tips on Being Organised


Tidy space, tidy mind!
My room is often a hot mess.. but a tidy space means a tidy mind. You'll find you can work much better in a clean and tidy space. It will also save time on looking for things like your door keys and uni ID pass when you're rushing out the door in the morning!

Calendars and diaries.
Me and diaries don't get along. I find I will use them for a week or two and then they're never touched. So I found printing out a monthly calendar (from ICAL) has worked better for me. I don't know about you, but when I can see the whole month and don't have to flick through pages of a diary, I can keep on top of things much better!

To do lists.
There is nothing worse than not being able to finish everything that's on your to do list for that day. So make sure what you set out to do is realistic. So don't forget to leave time for short breaks in between!

Deadlines.
As you take on each task give yourself a deadline. Procrastinating won't happen if you know you have to finish a task within a certain amount of time.

Me time.
As much as we all live busy lifestyles with many commitments, it's so important to have some 'me time'. It's what keeps us sane! Whether you choose to blog, nap or veg out in front of the telly (or youtube), take a day of the week to just DO YOU!


I have been feeling a little bit stressed about going back to uni, having a job and keeping up with blogging as much as I would like to. So I have thought about changes I could implement to make this year as successful and positive as possible. I hope this post has helped you in some way, or just gave you a little reminder of how to be organised!

It's still a work in progress for me. Do you have anything else to add? :)




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Tuesday, 9 September 2014

My Updated Skin Care Routine

My T-Zone is very oily and I have been suffering with blemishes on my cheeks for months. I know my blemishes are hormonal, so there is not much I can do apart from try not to aggravate the skin too much. I have come up with a new skin care routine, very different to the last one I shared with you. It's working for me at the moment, so I thought it was time for an update!


1. Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water- I put some of this onto a cotton pad and swipe off all of my makeup.

2. Simple Cleansing Wipes- I then like to follow up with a cleansing wipe to ensure all my makeup has been removed.

3. Body Shop Tea Tree Skin Clearing Foaming Cleanser- After rinsing my face with warm water (to open my pores), I take two pumps of this cleanser and use my fingers to cleanse my face. Once I'm done, I blot my face dry with a towel.

4. Zineryt- Since I am struggling with blemishes on my cheeks, the doctors have prescribed me with this treatment. I just dab it onto the effected areas of my skin and wait for it to soak in. (If you would like to know more about this, let me know!)

5. Boots Botanics Hydrating Eye Cream 80% Organic- I take a small pea sized amount and use my ring finger and gently tap it into my under eye area. An eye cream is optional, but it's an extra step I personally like to take. 

6. First Aid Beauty Daily Face Cream (Oil Free)- I use one pump of this for my whole face. It's perfect for my oily skin. I featured it in my August Favourites.

7. Aloe Vera Gel- I like to pop this over the top of any blemishes I have. It really helps to clear them up and doesn't dry out my skin. So if you haven't tried this already, I would definitely recommend it.

(I do steps 3-6 in the morning and at night)


My favourite exfoliator is the Origins Modern Friction. I love the way it feels on my skin and it makes it super smooth. When I use this, I use it instead of my Tea Tree Foaming Cleanser. I like to follow up with a clay mask because they are perfect for oily skin. My favourite is the Origins Clear Improvements. However sometimes I like to experiment with new masks. Recently I have been trying out the Body Shop Seaweed Ionic Clay Mask. I usually take these steps once or twice a week, depending when my skin needs it!

If you're struggling with your skin too, I hope this helped! Maybe we can exchange tips in the comments?

Thanks for reading! See you soon :)




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Thursday, 4 September 2014

Confidence and #BLFW

Bloggers Love Fashion Week was approaching and I was SO excited. My first blogger event! I kept thinking about what I could possibly wear and what it would be like. However, the night before the event I suddenly got really nervous. So nervous that I started to consider not going. At the same time, I knew if I didn't go I would probably regret it.

The next morning I was still anticipating whether I should go or not. Then all of a sudden something in me said "You have to go. Just go." and so I did. I ended up being an hour late. I'm late for EVERYTHING! But better late than never though.. right? 

I had a little look around and then I bumped into Zeena (also from Blogging Gals) and Sam. After speaking to them on twitter, itt was so nice to see them in real life. It was also a relief to see some familiar faces. As I got talking to people I started to feel so much more comfortable and I was really pleased I went. It was so much less scarier than I originally thought it would be. Everyone in the blogging community is lovely.

Me and Sam
The Fashion Show

We watched the fashion show and I attempted to take some photographs. I say attempted because almost every single one turned out to be a blur. After that we had a look at the brands that were there and spoke to each other. It was a cool experience to meet some like minded people.

I guess the purpose of this post isn't just to tell you what a lovely time I had, it's also to encourage you to give new things a go. By going to this event by myself, I feel like I have achieved something on a more personal level. Take yourself out of your comfort zone and you will gain some confidence!

I hope you liked this post even though it's slightly different. Thanks for reading!



P.S. A big thanks to Bloggers Love for organising this event!


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Sunday, 31 August 2014

Five Favourites (August)


My first favourite is the First Aid Beauty Daily Face Cream. It's oil free and light weight (it says so on the bottle). It soaks into my skin leaving it feeling moisturised but not greasy. I was trying to find something in the drug store which was more affordable and easier to get hold of, but nothing was as good as this baby. It's definitely a staple of mine now.


Well if you were around a few posts ago you will already know the love I have for The Body Shops Instablur. If you didn't click HERE where I explain everything. It's a must have for those with oily skin.


I have had this Sleek blush in Suede for a while. It's an old favourite of mine which has found its way back out of my stash and back into my everyday makeup routine. It just gives me the most natural blush I could ask for. Sleek blushes are amazing, very pigmented and very affordable (£4.49).


I have also spoken about this MAC Studio Fix Fluid SPF 15 foundation in a previous post. If you want to find out more about it click HERE, but in short; I love it, it's oil free and gives me great coverage.

Now for my food favourite. If you didn't know already, I went to Paris earlier this month (click HERE for blog posts on that) and while I was there I came across my favourite childhood biscuits. BNBN's! I bought a few packets home, my favourites are the strawberry ones but they are now all finished (hence there is no photograph). If anyone knows where I can buy them in the UK please let me know in the comments! I would be eternally grateful :)

I hope you liked this post! I will be back again soon :)




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Friday, 29 August 2014

The Beauty Blogger Tag

Nobody actually tagged me.. but I thought I would do the beauty blogger tag so you can get to know me a bit more :)

1. Is your hair naturally curly or straight?
I have naturally curly hair and I never know what to do with it!


2. What is your natural hair colour?
My hair is brown with a little bit of blonde.

3. Do you dye it yourself or go to a salon?
I have never died my hair and I don't think I ever will. One time I was going to die it dark brown. My mums friend told me I wouldn't get my natual hair colour back so I decided against it.

4. How often do you wash your hair?
It depends on how I want to wear it. Usually every three to four days.

5. Do you wear the same style every day or change it?
The way I style my hair is pretty basic. It's either up or down.

6. Do you do your own mani/pedi or go to a salon?
I usually do my own.. but sometimes I do enjoy taking a trip to the salon.

7. How often to you change your nail polish?
With work I can't really do much with my nails, but I always like to have my toes painted. I just paint them whenever they need to be redone!

8. Do you polish your toes in the winter, too or just in the summer?
Both.. but more so in the summer. I can't stand unpainted toe nails in sandals. 

9. How long does it take to put on your makeup?
On a day to day basis I would say about 20 minuits? Well I hope it doesn't take me any longer than that!

10. What do you do first? Face or eyes?
Face. I find it easier to visualise my final look when I do my base first… 

11. Do you "collect" makeup or just buy what you need when you need it?
A bit of both really… but I definitely buy stuff with the intention of using it.

12. How often do you wear false eyelashes?
I have never worn false lashes.. I haven't a clue on how to put them on. It looks too fiddly.

13. Do you do a full face of makeup every day?
Not every day. Only when I'm going out.

14. Do you wear makeup when you are home alone (or with family)?
No way. I like to give my skin time to just be itself.

15. Will you leave the house without makeup?
Yeah, but only if I'm running errands locally or going to see family or something.

16. How many high end products do you have?
I don't have tuns of makeup.. but I have never counted my high end products. I have some MAC, Urban Decay, Bobbie Brown, Lipstick Queen, Benefit, Smashbox, Nars, Estée Lauder.....

17. How often do you wash your makeup brushes?
I was hoping this question wouldn't be in here. The answer is.. not often enough. I just wash them as and when I need to really.

18. Do you plan your OOTD every night or decide when you are getting dressed?
Sometimes the night before if I'm trying to be organised. Most of the time I'm throwing clothes around my room that morning.

19. How often do you change your handbag?
It depends on what I am carrying etc. But I usually stick to the same one until I get bored of it.

20. What time do you get up & go to sleep?
It varies. Most of the time I sleep in the early hours of the morning. That will change when I go back to uni though.

21. How often & when do you workout?
I joined the gym this summer and went to the gym about five times. I know. I am dissappointed in myself too!

22. Left-handed or Right-handed?
Right-handed.

23. How tall are you?
5'3"

24. Do you speak a foreign language?
I wish I could say yes, but no :(

25. How many pets do you have?
I have a dog called Bonnie :)

26. How often are you on Blogger?
Everyday.

27. Do you read the comments posted on blogs?
Sometimes. I always read the comments people leave on my blog though! <3

28. Do you keep a list of products to try as you see other posts?
Yeah I do. Usually the ones I really want to try just stick with me though.

29. How did you come up with your blog name?
I just put the two words of what I wanted to write about together and voila!

30. What kind of camera do you use for photographs?
I have the Cannon 600D.

31. How often do you clean your house? (Daily, weekly, other)
Other. Hahaa.

32. What is your favourite colour?
Oo. I'm not sure atm to be honest. I quite like purply pinky plumb colours though.

33. What is your favorite beauty/fashion magazine?
I haven't read a magazine in ages! I heard Company magazine is good for bloggers, so I'm thinking about starting to read that :)

34. Do you swear?
Sometimes.

35. What are you doing with the rest of your day?
I just got back from work. So I will be relaxing for the rest of the night!

I tag Sam from Beautifie and Farzana from Text Book Beauty to do this post. I also tag anybody else reading who wants to do it!



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Tuesday, 26 August 2014

A New Foundation

Finding a foundation is difficult. Well it is for me and my oily skin. I went around to quite a few counters; Bobbie Brown, Estée Lauder, Chanel and MAC, and I collected some testers. What I really liked about the testers I was given, is the fact there was enough product in there for me to test out the foundation over a few days, so I could make up my mind about whether I would buy it or not. I would definitely recommend doing this, as much as it can be a long process. There is nothing worse then spending money on a high end foundation and then deciding you don't like it.


In the end I decided to buy the MAC Studio Fix Fluid SPF 15 in the shade NC40. It gives a satin/matt finish, it's oil free and gives a medium to full coverage. Before I use this foundation I always apply the Body Shop Instablur to prime my face, and finish up with the Soap and Glory's One Heck of a Blot Transparent Powder. I love the finish.

It was £21.50 and I had to pay a further £4 for the pump. I know, it's a pet peeve of mine when you have to buy the pump separate too... but it was worth it.

My favourite way to apply this foundation is by using my Sigma Duo Fibre F50 brush. I have never used something like this to apply my foundation before... but I am loving it. The quality is great, it's really soft and I haven't had any problems with shedding.


I find the best way to apply my foundation (one pumps worth) is to add little blobs around my face (e.g. cheeks, forehead, nose and chin) and then blend it all in with this brush. I have tried putting it onto the back of my hand and dipping the brush into it.. however that makes the foundation come on too thick!

If you have oily skin let me know what your favourite foundation is and the way you apply it in the comments! :)


Thanks for reading! I'll be back with another post soon.




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Sunday, 24 August 2014

The Natural Look


Lets face it, we can't all always paint our nails with fancy colours and patterns. Whether it's because A. we don't have time or B. it's not practical for work.

I recently had acrylic nails, so now my nail bed is very thin and doesn't look to great. So instead of just going for a clear nail polish, I have been gravitating towards 'peach manicure' by Natural Collection. It has a hint of pink which gives my nails a healthy look. It dries really quickly and was really affordable (£2 or £3). So for that, you can't really go wrong.





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Thursday, 21 August 2014

InstaBlur


A life changer, yep, that is how I would describe 'Instablur' by The Body Shop. Whether you choose to wear it with or without makeup, it takes the shine away. It's the only product I have tried so far which has made me feel somewhat "normal" by preventing me from looking like I've smothered my face in oil... It's now a holy grail of mine.


I use an oil free moisturiser and then I apply 'Instablur' to my T-Zone area. I even use this on no makeup days because it saves me from being embarrassed about my shiny face! It is clear, so can be used on any skin tone and is said to be a "5-action perfector".

What it claims:
Shine control 12h- Although it claims to do many things shine control is the one that stands out most to me. I can get about 8-10 hours shine control, depending on what I am doing. I don't mind having to top up my powder towards the end of the day.

Reduces appearance of pores- This product has a silicone consistency so it sinks into the pores and makes the skin feel smooth.

Blemish hiding- There are some blemishes this product can't completely hide, but over all it does give my skin a smoother finish.

Complexion unifying- Instablur smooths over the skin helping to make your base look flawless and well put together.

Makeup extending- Even though I have oily skin I haven't really experience my makeup not lasting. So I don't feel I can comment on this.

Overall I would give this product a 5/5 and I would highly recommend it to those with oily skin.



Thank you for reading, I will be coming back with another blog post very soon!



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Tuesday, 19 August 2014

My Trip to Paris | Part Three

The day of the The Eiffel Tower!
I love the way carousels look. They're so decorative and pretty.
Riven Seine. You may recognise this view from part one of my trip to Paris. It's beautiful!
I couldn't actually fit the queue in one photograph... but we were in it for 2 hours!!! So you can only imagine how long it was. (If you're planning on going to Paris I'd advise you book your tickets for The Eiffel Tower in advance!) On the plus side- the tickets were also really affordable.
We 'only' went to the second floor because when we got to the desk, the top floor was closed for a short time. We were told we could buy tickets for the top once we got to the second floor. Once we got to the second floor, I started to feel a little scared and decided the second floor was high enough for me! Haha. I know, I'm a chicken.
All the queuing was well worth it in the end, and the fact we were 'only' on the second floor was fine because the views were still amazing!
 To conclude our day, it made sense to go back to the place we were sure to get some good food!












This post is the last of 'My Trip to Paris'. I hope you enjoyed having a look at what I got up to! I had an amazing time and really enjoyed spending some quality time with my Mum and little sister.
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