EMPTIES #1

At long last, summer has begun!

I'm kicking off with my first ever empties post, who's excited?

THE BODY SHOP SHEA LIP BUTTER

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

CLARINS ONE STEP CLEANSER

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.

THE BODY SHOP VITAMIN E MOISTURE CREAM

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!

LIZ EARLE CLEANSE AND POLISH HOT CLOTH CLEANSER

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!

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

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

Follow me on Twitter and Instagram

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!

Would you rather?

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!

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!

Topshop Crochet Shell Top - £24

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?

Topshop Leigh Jeans in 'tile print' - £40

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!

 New Look pineapple print T-shirt - £12.99

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)

New Look woven bag - £9.99

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!

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