Sunday 7 December 2014

APOCOLIPS


Big shout out to my laptop which has once again decided to crash, hence the lack of posts around these parts! 

Rimmel released the apocolips lip lacquers over a year ago but I never picked any up because I hated the idea of shiny, sticky lips. A year on and I have moved on from my beloved matte finishes and I'm opting for something a little more glossy. Lip lacquers are highly pigmented lipglosses which last well on the lips and I'm loving them!

I picked up two shades, the first is celestial, a peachy-pink nude shade. This one is fairly natural and is a lovely everyday shade that's easy to wear. The second is galaxy, a slightly deeper plum toned shade with some shimmer. I have been wearing celestial on an almost daily basis recently and have had a few compliments when wearing it, galaxy is lovely when I want something a bit more bold but without the hassle of a red lip.

Aside from the lovely shades, the formula of these is a winner! They are so comfortable to wear and after half an hour or so they dry down from their shiny finish to something more satin and natural which lasts pretty well. I also love the doe-foot applicator which holds a little 'pool' of product and makes outlining your lips so damn easy!  I've found that if you apply a very thin layer using the back of the applicator, the finish is immediately less glossy and it lasts far longer.  Last but not least, the packaging of these is just lovely and for your money's worth, you can't really go wrong. I can now see what all the hype was about! I'm so impressed with these, need I say more?

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Wednesday 29 October 2014

THE POUCH POST

Bit of a strange title? Yes.  But what most people call a makeup bag, I call a pouch because not only does it keep all of those essential beauty bits in one place but it also holds various other day to day items.  So, without further ado, here is my pouch:


The 'pouch' itself is from The Body Shop, it came with a range of Vitamin E products in but due to its small-ness and see-through-ness it is now my pouch!

First up; hair saviours.  A dry shampoo can solve a multitude of hair issues and this tiny batiste one does the job well.  Along with that, I also carry around a texturising spray (Umburto Giannini - backcomb in a bottle) and a few clips, grips and hair bands/elastics to create a hairstyle in minutes.  Oh, and I never forget my mini hairbrush, complete with a mirror.
For makeup, I have the Collection Lasting Perfection concealer, a mini They're Real mascara, Avon glimmerstick eyeliner, lip balm, Nars velvet matte lip pencil in Dolce Vita and oil absorbing sheets.  It doesn't seem like much but it corrects many a makeup malfunction, shiny face? Sudden spot?  Dry, chapped lips?  Worn off eye-makeup?  Faded lipstick?  I've got it all covered!

On top of that I also carry around a mini Aveeno moisteriser (which works on face, body and hands), mini Black Peony by ZARA perfume, ibuprofen (surprisingly handy!), safety pins (in case of a wardrobe malfunction), gum, and blister plasters.

It may seem like a lot but the beauty of the 'pouch' is that you can simply move it from one bag to the next and know that you will be covered!

What's in your 'pouch'?

P.S. I have to apologise for my blogging break.  I have been so busy lately and haven't felt inspired to post anything.  I don't want blogging to become a chore for me so decided it was best to take a break, hopefully I will be posting a bit more regularly now though.


Sunday 5 October 2014

FASHION STAPLES: AUTUMN


Autumn is by far my favourite season, and alongside Halloween, Bonfire Night and the leaves I love the clothes!  My clothes tend to stay fairly monochrome with a few hints of colour and recently I have been loving adding more pattern into my outfits.  I also love to layer up seeing as the weather here in the UK has been changing so much over the last month.
So here is what you need for autumnal layering galore;

SCARVES
Whether they are fluffy, floaty or fuzzy I love them.  Scarves are brilliant for layering up adding colour to an outfit and keeping warm so it's no surprise they are an autumn favourite.

JUMPERS
I own far too many jumpers its becoming a problem, but I can't help myself! They are cosy, layer-able(?) and they look lovely.  What's not to love?

BLACK JEANS
Black jeans are such a great staple, seriously.  Not only are they warmer and more conservative than leggings but they go with everything!

BOOTS
Perfect for pairing with warm, thick socks and skirts.  I'm head over heels (excuse the pun) for boots this month, especially these New Look ones as seen on my instagram.

SHIRTS
Yet another layering essential (spotting a theme here anyone?).  Whether the shirt is flannel or denim I have been loving them all recently, they form some of the most versatile pieces in my wardrobe (alongside basic bodycon dresses).


Autumnal nails are also a fashion staple!  Think dark colours and matte textures.  Does anyone want to see a post of my favourites?

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Sunday 21 September 2014

GREAT SKIN IN 5 MINUTES?


Myself and face masks have never quite agreed.  It was probably because I can't sit still for 10-15 minutes without moving my face and avoid scaring the cat!  But, I have found a game changer!  The Sanctuary 5 minute thermal detox mask (quite a mouthful!) has become a bit of a skin hero over the past month or so.

I love applying this mask to a damp face once or twice a week after cleansing and then washing it off in the shower, minimal effort?  Yes please!
As this mask is designed for oily skin it's right up my street.  The warming properties open up your pores, allowing the charcoal and kaolin clay ingredients help to de-congest skin and draw out impurities.  This mask also contains myrrh which calms and soothes skin, leaving your complexion silky soft and deeply cleansed.

I have noticed that after use, my skin looks brighter, less congested and redness is reduced.  Unfortunately there don't seem to be many longer term benefits but for a quick skin fix, this mask is a must!



Monday 15 September 2014

TARTAN AND MUSTARD

An outfit post?  Yes!  Today I decided to grab my tripod and actually go outside to take some sixth form outfit photos.  I am in love with my jumper and scarf, I think they are so autumnal and have had so many compliments (especially on the jumper).
Was there some awkward photo posing?  Yes.  Did I feel like my neighbours were spying on me the whole time?  Yes.  Did my cat almost knock the tripod over?  Yes.  Was it worth it?  Not sure.





Jumper - H&M
Blazer - Debenhams
Skirt - Topshop
Bag - Car boot sale

Sunday 7 September 2014

#BROWTHISWAY


Please give a big round of applause to my new found brow hero; brow this way!

For months now I have been searching for a new brow gel/crayon/pencil as mine just wasnt doing the job quite right, and I think I have found it in Rimmel's latest brow release!
Although it seems like a take on Benefit's 'gimme brow', a product I have been debating whether to pick up for months now.  It is similar in the fact that it is a tiny tinted brow gel which adds both colour and keeps everything in place, the shade range is also very similar, it offers a light, medium and dark brown (I have dark brown).  Although I have not tried 'gimme brow', the main difference I have noticed is the wand.  The Rimmel wand is larger and picks up a little too much product which makes application a little difficult and it takes longer.  However, the formula of the product itself is lovely!  It gives my brows a natural thickness in just the right colour and keeps them in place all day, its not as pigmented or precise as I would like for an evening look but for an everyday makeup look, this works perfectly.

But, lets not forget the unbelievable price of this!  At £3.99 its not going to make much of a dent in your bank balance, so why not?

What is your brow hero?


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Sunday 31 August 2014

SHOP MY STASH - CLOTHES EDITION

As I recently had a wardrobe clear out, I found a few gems that had been at the bottom of various piles and forgotten. But since re-finding them I seem to have a load more clothing options! 


New Look print dress
I picked this up last year in aim to expand my dress collection and wore it a fair bit. Now I have fallen in love with it all over again!  I have been wearing this pretty number as much as possible.


Jack Wills jeans
These jeans hold a lot of memories and although I rarely wander into JW these days it used to be my favourite shop!  Although I'm not a massive fan of the brand now, these jeans have made the perfect summer piece, thin enough for hot days and a lovely light colour, rolled up at the bottom.  The perfect summer trouser.


Denim shirt
Such a classic and versatile piece. I have no idea how I forgot about it? Maybe it's the issue of 'what to wear it with?' To avoid 'denim on denim' which I really can't pull off!  I have been loving layering it under jumpers on slightly chilly days.


David and Goliath tee
I don't know about anyone else, but when I am having a pj day I like to wear t-shirts and I lost this adorable D&G one in my wardrobe for months!  Although people on the outside world are unlikely to see me wearing this one out and about, the occasional delivery man might get the pleasure!  (It might even make him chuckle!)

After clearing out my wardrobe and finding these gems I also had a lot of items that no longer fit me or I just don't like any more so I met up with a few friends to sell/trade our unwanted clothes.  It's really fun, you might make some money, get some new clothes at a bargain price and make some space in your wardrobe.  What's not to love?

The left over stuff can either be taken to a charity shop or to H&M who are currently accepting bags of unwanted clothes and textiles in exchange for vouchers, you can see more on this great campaign here (UK ONLY).


What are your hidden wardrobe gems?

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Sunday 24 August 2014

FIRST IMPRESSIONS: ST TROPEZ BRONZING MOUSSE


For years now I have used gradual tanners and recently been getting into wash off tanners and once or twice had the occasional spray tan.  But proper self tan at home?  The idea has always made my knees shake!  The risk of being tangoed seems so much higher but today I thought I would bite the bullet and go for it! Eeek!

Last week I picked up a miniature of the St Tropez Bronzing Mousse 50ml for £10 *insert shocked emoji face* as I wanted to reduce the risk of being tangoed as much as possible and I have heard great things about this line.  I also bought a the cheapest tanning mitt I could find for application.
I watched this video about how to apply the tan, then exfoliated with Rub Rub Rub by Lush and moisturised with the Vaseline Cocoa radiant moisturiser (save £1.51 at Superdrug) concentrating on the dryer areas of skin such as elbows, knees, hands and feet.

As instructed, I started by using 2 pumps per arm, then 4 pumps per leg using the mitt to blend everything in and use any excess on my hands and feet.  I focused the colour on places that my skin would naturally tan, such as the tops of my arms and legs to create a natural looking tan.  I also applied 4 pumps to the rest of my body, although I wouldn't usually do this step, I know that I am going to be in a bikini next week on holiday and therefore want an all-over colour.
The tan didn't feel uncomfortable on my skin whilst I waited for the colour to develop and the 'biscuit' tan smell was almost undetectable! (it actually smells quite nice)

I then waited 4 hours and took a shower.  The result?

I was left with lovely bronzed skin that looked like I had just spent a few days in the sun.  As I am already a little bit tan from that heatwave the other week I just wanted a top up before I go away again but would be intrigued to see how this works on paler skin and leaving it to develop for a bit longer.

Overall, the process of using this was very easy, stink free and it gave a lovely, even colour.  I look forward to using this more and promise to report back!


Tuesday 19 August 2014

VISIBLY CLEAR PINK GRAPEFRUIT WASH



So, a little while back I ran out of my Liz Earle cleanse and polish hot cloth cleanser and in a panic I picked this up from the supermarket.  In all honesty I wasn't sure what to expect, although I remembered trying a sample of this yonks ago!

The Visibly Clear Pink Grapefruit cleanser by Nutrogena is a gel cleanser, a formula I have got along with in the past but have recently been loving creamier formulas, it smells (not surprisingly) of pink grapefruit which makes it very refreshing and a great pick-me-up in the morning.
It claims to 'eliminate spots and blackheads with a fresh clean feel'.  Eliminates spots? I don't think so! Although this cleanser reduces them I am yet to find any cleanser that eliminates them!  However, you are left with a lovely fresh feel as promised.


So, after trying and testing this for over a month, I have actually noticed a slight improvement in my skin.  I honestly think that this is because it is so quick, completing a morning cleanse is no biggie and my skin has loved the change!
The only downside, my skin no longer feels as smooth or deeply cleansed on a regular basis as it did when I was using the Liz Earle cleanser.  It has meant that I have started to introduce a regular exfoliant into my routine.

Overall, I love that this cleanser makes cleansing so easy and quick which really encourages me to cleanse every morning (as well as night).  And I haven't even mentioned the best thing ... its under a fiver!
Perfect for those on a budget!

Neutrogena Visibly Clear Pink Grapefruit wash - £4.94


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Monday 11 August 2014

THE SUMMER ESSIE POLISH


If you have been around these parts for a while, you may have noticed that I tend to opt for blue nail polish pretty much all year round. Shockingly, aside from the essie polish I am about to talk about, I only have one other pink polish in my collection!

I think pink nails can come with a bit of a 'barbie' stereotype which I am not all that keen on but this bright coral has stolen my heart. 

Peach daiquiri is a boarder line neon coral/pink (it's a lot brighter in full daylight). It reminds me of the models own summer collection which was released earlier this year which were all aimed to enhance tans and was surrounded by a lot of buzz! 

As always, essie polishes are pretty long lasting (I can go a week at a push with none/very few chips), and pigmentation is lovely (this shade needs two coats).  Well worth the slightly higher price tag!

This has been my go to shade for weeks now as it is easy to apply thanks to the wide brush and great formula and looks great on both fingers and toes!


essie - peach daiquiri - £7.99

p.s. a big hello to my new followers!

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Sunday 10 August 2014

THE WET BRUSH


When I first heard about this brush I was a bit sceptical to be honest. I mean, what can one brush have over hundreds of others? 

But I have to say I have been proved wrong by this release. The wet brush, despite the name, can be used on both wet and dry hair and works well on both but is defiantly more impressive on wet hair.
The brush features very flexible and soft bristle tips which make brushing easy and are 'guaranteed' not to fall off.  It also helps to prevent hair loss (luckily not a problem for me) and split ends.  Together, this creates noticeably smooth brushing with no tugging whatsoever!
This wonder brush also claims to keep hair healthier and younger, which I can certainly see happening as it has lived up to every other claim!

Admittedly, it's not the cheapest brush on the market, however it does such a good job I would happily pay more!  Also, it's not the easiest to get hold of.  I can't find any main stores that stock it, I bought mine from TKMaxx for £7.99 (reduced from £12.95) so I would recommend looking in your local TKMaxx but my hairdresser also sells them so next time you go for your trim, there is no harm in asking!

One of the best things about this, is that there is no need to bring a wide-tooth comb and hairbrush on holiday.  It's all in one beautifully smoothing and tug-free brush!


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Saturday 26 July 2014

THE SHEER LIP EDIT

Come Autumn and Winter I will be well and truly back to my all time favourite long lasting matte formulas, but when the sun shows it's face, the glossier and brighter, the better.




Anyone remember last year when I first bought these and wrote this post?  Yep, it's fair to say I was head over heels about these baby's.  The lip butters have buildable colour in a lovely glossy and sheer formula that moisturises.  Although the shine wears off after an hour or two, the pigment stains your lips leaving a subtle colour.  Orange lips are coming back again this summer so Tutti Frutti is going to become a handbag staple for me.

This is a recent purchase but I already love it, as the name would suggest, it is a lovely peach/coral colour that just screams summer!  It's glossy, balmy, sheer and colour all packed into a crayon.  However, I do find that the formula tends to cling to dry patches on my lips so I often need to use a separate lip balm before application.
(P.S. these are currently on offer at Supedrug)

Who remembers these?  Loved but not forgotten, these are probably the most sheer and least pigmented of the bunch.  But they smell the best, by a long way.  I can't even explain how great this smells, it's like the smell of the whole Body Shop mixed into an orange pot with a bit of shimmer.  If a pot is your sort of thing and your not too worried about pigmentation or shine, opt for this one!

What are your favourite lip colours for summer?

Today, I am off on holiday for a fortnight so although I will try my very hardest to upload a new post while I am away, the chances are slim *insert crying emoji*

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Friday 25 July 2014

TRAVEL BRUSH KIT

So, its that time again when the luckiest of us jet off to some exotic location.  Unfortunately that wont be me, but I am going away for a fortnight and am currently going through the process of choosing the very best makeup/brushes to take with me.

So, here are my brushes of choice.


You may notice that the majority are real techniques brushes and that is because they are just so darn good!
First up, all of the orange brushes are part of the real techniques core collection, included are the buffing brush, which applies foundation like a dream.  I can't say I plan to wear much foundation while I am away but if the occasion ever arises, I wouldn't be without this baby!
The core collection also features the foundation brush and detail brush which both I use for applying concealer, the foundation brush works best for larger areas and the detail brush for pesky spots.  A winning combo.
Then, last in the core collection, the contour brush which I have been loving when I want a great contour, it packs on product and fits perfectly under cheekbones.
The other real techniques brush in question is the blush brush which I don't actually use for blush (I'm a blush-o-phobe) but I love this for applying powder and bronzer, I couldn't be without this one.
Other brushes that have captured my heart are the No.7 blend and contour eyeshadow brush which I use when I want a bit of eye definition (its a rare occasion currently) and the Ruby and Millie lip brush which I have had for yonks but haven't found another lip brush to rival it, it applies lipstick precisely and smoothly, what more could a girl want?
And finally, a little spoolie.  I think I picked this up from an eyebrow stand at 'the clothes show' years ago and have taken this on my travels ever since, its so handy and keeps those brows tamed.

The little case thing is part of the core collection too, very handy indeed!

What brushes are your travelling favourites?

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Saturday 19 July 2014

EMPTIES #1

At long last, summer has begun!
I'm kicking off with my first ever empties post, who's excited?


For months this was my favourite thing to apply before bed, it smells strange, but I sort of like it and every morning I woke up with soft lips.  I think it looks a bit over-glossy on the lips so would avoid wearing it in the daytime but does a great job at keeping my lips soft.  Since then I have just been using vaseline and I haven't really noticed a huge difference and vaseline lasts so much longer.  These are lovely and would make a great little gift but I don't think I will repurchase.

COLLECTION LASTING PERFECTION CONCEALER
I would be surprised if you haven't heard about this one before, it's the highstreet super-concealer.  It's very pigmented, full coverage yet still natural looking.  I will defiantly repurchase this as soon as I get down to the shops

I blogged about this one a while back singing all it's praises (see post here), and I must say I do still love it for travelling but ever since my trip to Italy and the purchase of Bioderma (see post here) it hasn't had as much love.  I managed to finish it though and probably will repurchase when my smaller bottle has run out.

Believe it or not, this was the first ever moisturiser I tried and I still love it!  Although I have now switched to something a little thicker for a night cream this moisteriser is light, nourishing and smells lovely.  I have already repurchased!

There is so much hype surrounding this product and I'm not sure I entirely agree.  I cant claim it wasn't lovely to use and made my skin super soft, because it did!  However, my skin continued to break out as usual so I can't say I'm head over heels for this cleanser as most bloggers are.  Will I buy it again?  Hmm, maybe but right now I am getting on fine with a far cheaper option (post coming soon!)

MAYBELLINE ROCKET VOLUME WATERPROOF MASCARA
This was the first mascara I ever fell in love with, and it remains a favourite to this day!  It gives plenty of volume and length but never clumps or flakes off and has great lasting power!  It's an all round winner!  I will repurchase this sometime in the future, but for now I am testing out the Bourjois Volume 1 Seconde mascara (post coming soon!) and have a few others on the wish list.

BATISTE DRY SHAMPOO
Ah, a classic!  I can't get enough of dry shampoo and go through these so quickly!  I love the classic because it smells great and just gets the job done.  I have no complaints and have already repurchased.

BOOTS NAIL POLISH REMOVER
Bit of a boring one here, not much to say about standard nail polish remover.  It's cheap, not quite so cheerful!  It really doesn't smell great, moisturise or do any other tricks, it does last a long time though!  Just bog standard and a bit stripping, probably won't repurchase. 

BOOTS NAIL POLISH REMOVER PADS
Now, this is a better remover!  Enriched with vitamin E these are very nourishing and so easy to use, especially on holiday!  They also smell lush!  Will defiantly buy these again!

TONI&GUY TEXTURISING SALT SPRAY
Last year this was the product to use for texture and I loved it!  It doesn't leave your hair feeling crispy or smelling weird but gives it a bit of texture and wave.  Although these days I tend to reach for my Charles Worthington texturising spray over this.  I think I have another one of these lying around somewhere, so I probably will finish that one up first!

NATURAL COLLECTION PRESSED POWDER
As you can probably see from my photo, this isn't exactly finished.  A couple of months ago I dropped this on the bathroom floor, an of course it smashed.  Since then I have tried using it but with very little luck, the brush doesn't pick up product well.  I wasn't very fond of this powder anyway so I won't be picking it up again.

CLEAN START HIT THE SPOT (SIMILAR HERE)
I actually have no idea how effective this was, sometimes my spots cleared up really quickly after using this, other times there was barely any effect.  For that reason I won't repurchase.  Please comment with your favourite spot treatment, the cheaper the better!

CLEAN START TINTED MOISTERISER
I believe this has been discontinued now, but to give you a summary.  This is quite an oily/dewy base with SPF15 and a lovely little moisteriser.  Although I opt for something more matte and higher coverage now, I mostly used this up in my early teens and recently finished it on holiday.  I'm not sure I would buy this again because I think there are better options out there for your money's worth.

Sorry, this is a bit of a lengthy post but congrats for getting this far!
Your my favourite readers, but don't tell the others!

Saturday 12 July 2014

This works: Sleep

Again, a late post.  I am sorry!  
Last week was so hectic it was unreal!  I had to juggle UCAS fairs and applications, losing art coursework the day before the exhibition, a fair few essay deadlines and sorting out a gym membership (watch this space for updates).  Aahh, the life of a sixth former!



A while back my Dad went away on business and much to my surprise (and delight) he came back with this duo from This Works as a freebie from the Crowne Plaza hotel.
This works are known for being a great brand that really does, well, work!  They make lovely, high quality products that aren't the cheapest so to get these as a freebie was great.

The duo comes with a miniature (5ml) deep calm pillow spray and the breathe in rollerball.  Together they aim to help you relax and assist a great night's sleep!

Despite everyone loving the pillow spray, my favourite out of the two is defiantly the rollerball, I have used it countless times for travelling and imagine this would be great if you are a nervous flier!  Not to mention the tiny bottles which are well under the limit for plane journeys.
Both smell luxuriously of Lavender and Camomile to make you feel sleepy and have a blend of Frankincense and Eucalyptus to help you breathe.
After using these I feel far more relaxed and actually noticed that I was less tired the morning after!  A great accompaniment to your beauty sleep.

This Works: Sleep - £10.00

Saturday 28 June 2014

Liebster award!


First off, I want to say a massive thank you to the lovely Kels Kurls for tagging me for the Liebster award.  It's a great idea to promote blogging and am honoured to be tagged as I only have a small, but lovely, pool of followers!


So, here's the rules
  • Thank the blogger who tagged me.
  • Say 11 facts about me.
  • Answer the 11 questions written by the person who tagged me.
  • Write my own 11 questions.
  • Tag new and upcoming bloggers
Facts about me

I love cacti.
I can't go a day without my chocolate fix!
My favourite movie is Dirty Dancing.  Don't judge.
I have just finished reading The Fault in our Stars.
I have an awful taste in music.
I have 5 ear piercings and love them all.
Tea is one of my favourite things.
I have never read the Harry Potter books and have only seen a few of the movies.  I know, I am missing out!
I have lived in the same house for 14 years now.
Alike many other Emma's, my middle name is Louise.
I used to be a county swimmer.


Kels Questions
What do you do for a job?
I am currently a student, doing my A-levels but I also have a Saturday job at a local pharmacy.


What couldn't you live without?
Probably my laptop, I don't think I would be able to go more than a few weeks without it!


What's your favourite makeup product?
Ooohh, this is tough!  I would have to say my L'oreal perfect slim liquid liner, it creates the perfect cat eye!


Do you have any pet hates?
Bit of a weird one here, but I hate it when someone unplugs something but leaves the plug switched on.  Yeah, weird.  I know!


If you could be any animal, which would you be and why?
Haha, probably I cat.  I would love to be cuddled and sleep all day, not a hard life, eh?


If you could change anything about your past, would you?
Cheesy as it sounds, I think that I wouldn't be where I am today without my past but let's just say I would probably have never taken those awful selfies aged 11!


Do you have a favourite blog?
Yes, many!  A few are Vivianna Does Makeup, ECT LLMRS and Beauty Soup.  You should check them all out!


What do you like to do in your spare time?
To be honest, I don't have much spare time.  But most of it is devoted to spending time with my friends, watching TV and blogging (of course!)


Do you have any strange/weird obsessions?
Nothing comes to mind...


What's your favourite smell?
Coconut, without a doubt!  I love anything coconut, seriously!


Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Hopefully finishing uni!

My Questions

Something you wish was never invented?
A beauty product you couldn't live without?
Your favourite place?
Your favourite subject at school?
The best book you have ever read?

Do your friends/family know about your blog?
Marmite, love it or hate it?
Skincare or makeup?
Your handbag essential?
Your dream job?
Your best blogging advise?

My chosen bloggers

Beauty Soup
Curls and Comets

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Saturday 21 June 2014

Review: NARS velvet gloss lip pencil

So, last week was stressful to say the least (hence there being no post last week, sorry guys!)  My laptop has completely crashed and I started school again after a lovely, long study leave!  But I am back with a good old review for you all of one of my recent favourites.




We all remember when everyone was going bananas for the NARS velvet matte lip pencils back in November/December, right?  At the time I received the NARS Promisuous lip set for Christmas which contained four of the matte pencils and a gloss pencil.  Being a strictly matte and satin finish lover, I wasn't at all bothered about the gloss version but it turns out it has become my new favourite lip product!

The shade I own is 'new lover' a pink shade with golden shimmer, perfect for this time of year.  It is natural but adds the perfect amount colour.
Although this is described as a 'gloss pencil' it has more of a balmy/satin finish which is perfect for me to ease me into a more glossy lip!  This also makes it surprisingly long lasting but not drying, double win!  I find pencil style products very easy to apply, although the formula doesn't glide on as easy as some highstreet options do.
I also love the mini version because it means that this is always being thrown into various bags as an on-the-go product.

I know NARS also make a satin finish lip pencil so I am eager to try that version too!

Who else is loving the sunny weather we have been having here in England this weekend?  I know Dylan is!


Saturday 7 June 2014

Would you rather?

Makeup
Image source: We Heart It

Be able to apply eyeliner perfectly or contour like Kim Kardashian?
Ooohhhh, this is so tricky!  I had to ponder over this response for a while, I think I would have to go for crazy Kardashian contouring because you can get away with smudged pencil liner but contouring can change your entire face.

Wear foundation that is two shades lighter, or two shades darker?
Defiantly lighter!  You can always correct a light foundation with bronzer and darker foundations can leave you looking like an oompa-loompa!

Wear no lipstick ever again, or no eyeliner ever again?
This is so tricky, I'm not sure I can choose!  Lipstick is a wonder product and can change any look from day to night, but eyeliner enhances the eyes and looks so classy!  If I absolutely had no choice, I guess it would have to be no lipstick.  I can always make do with lipgloss, right?

Give up your foundation or your mascara?
This one is easier, I would give up foundation.  Although I love it, I regularly make do with a bit of concealer and tinted moisterizer.  No biggie.

Wear the same makeup every day for the rest of your life, or drastically change it every day - even if it doesn't suit you?
I would wear the same makeup, I basically do this most days anyway and I know it suits me.  I couldn't take the risk of changing it.

Have dodgy brows or patchy fake tan?
I can't stand bad brows!  So it would have to be patchy fake tan, it's not as noticeable and you can always correct it with a bit of MAC face and body.

Have perfect white teeth, or have your perfect hairstyle?
Now, as tricky as this is, I don't think my teeth are all that bad.  Whereas my hair is never right, so I would love to have my perfect hairstyle!

Wear the same colour nail varnish your whole life, or be able to change the colour whenever you wish but it's always a bit smudged?
To be honest, most of the time my nail varnish is smudged and my collection of nail polish is not going to stop growing anytime soon so I would have to opt for changing nail polish colours.

Have your perfumes smell amazing to you (but to everyone else smell like a pine tree car freshener) or have perfumes that smell average to you (but smell incredible to those around you)?
Without a doubt have perfumes that smell amazing to everyone else!  I can deal with an 'average' smell just fine.

So there you go, let's just hope that we never have to make these decisions for real eh?

I am tagging Rinica at Rinica Writes and Megan at Rainbows and Ruby Slippers and anyone else who wants to do this of course!

Monday 2 June 2014

Clothes haul - Spring/Summer

So recently I have had a bit of time off school for study leave, and lets say, it resulted in a fair bit of shopping! Oops!

This crop top is perfect if you don't want to show too much skin as it covers the vast amount of your stomach and has a high neck so it's a bit more, conservative?

Sorry for the awful photo here, I had a little trouble with exposure!  I am obsessed with these jeans but they are flying off the shelves so be quick!

When I first saw this I really couldn't decide if I liked it or not, but now I absolutely love it!  The print is a bit gimmicky but I just think it is SO COOL! (pretty sure that makes me super un-cool for saying that)

For a while now I have needed a smaller bag because my Zara bag is too big when I am just around town and don't need raincoats, umbrella's etc.  I think the woven detail is great for summer and the leather on this is super soft! (not that it will last very long)

Midi-ring - £3.50
This was from one of the stores in Outfit, but have no idea which and can't find the tag.  Sorry!  I tend to wear a lot of blue nail polish too so the pink works really well with it.

Yep, I think I need to have a little spending break now!

Thursday 29 May 2014

A volumising hair duo


After falling in love with the Umburto Gianinni 'backcomb in a bottle' I was keen to try out other texturising sprays on the budget market.  I have heard an awful lot about the Charles Worthington version and how comparable it is to the Oribe dry texturising spray so I thought I would give it a go.  As I was browsing I happened to notice that Charles Worthington products were on a 2 for £8 offer so I snapped up the mousse for £1.01!  Bargin!

So first, does the texturising spray live up to the claims?  Oh yes, yes it does! It has a slight hairspray feel to it which is great because it really holds your hair in place but also adds grit which makes plaiting and other up-do's super easy!  Unlike the Umberto Gianinni version it doesn't feel sticky in your hair but mattifies it and makes it easier to manage.  I use this by spraying it mainly into the mid-lengths of my hair and lightly spritzing over the roots.  I wouldn't recommend using this as a dry shampoo as some other bloggers have suggested but love it all the same!

I wasn't sure what to expect of the mousse as I have tried very few previously but was all up for the volumising benefits it promised.  And it does deliver!  I need the tiniest amount to give my hair a professional and volumised finish and my roots feel thicker afterwards!  I apply this to towel-dryed hair just before I blow dry it and find that paired with upside-down blow drying it really gives the hair volume!  Oh, and lets not forget HOW GREAT THIS SMELLS!  My only downside, after it has been massaged in the residue left on your hands feels sticky which isn't the nicest but I can live with it!

Overall, I think this is a great budget version for adding volume and achieving salon-looking hair, especially if you don't want to splash out on a host of Oribe products!

Charles Worthington Volume and Bounce texturising spray - £6.99
Charles Worthington Volume and Bounce body booster mousse - £5.99