The Skin Saviour - Superfacialist By Una Brennan

First of all, I hope you had a lovely Christmas :-)

Apologies for my lack of blogging! However, I'm sure that you will be pleased to hear that in my absence I have found the 'skin saviour', well its seriously worked wonders for me anyway. Since I first purchased the Super Facialist by Una Brennan Rose Hydrate Calming Creamy Cleanser - what a mouthful! (you can find my review here), I have been obsessed with this range! In my opinion they perform incredibly for their price - which is quite reasonable even without the frequent discount that Boots seems to do on the Super Facialist range. I have since purchased quite a few more products...opps! but I have been extremely impressed with them all, particularly the Tea Flower Deep Clean Purifying Cleansing Wash. If you have read my earlier posts then you will be aware of my crazy skin problems. To fill you in quickly - I developed mild acne, which I've never suffered from before. It wasn't just the spots that were frustrating me, it was also how terrible my skin looked when I tired to apply makeup to cover them. My face looked very 'bumpy' and the more products I used to try shift it, the worse my skin seemed to get.

The Tea Flower Cleanser changed all this, after starting to use it I could see a dramatic difference in about 1/2 weeks, if that. I decided to purchase this cleanser as although I really like the creamy cleanser, it isn't targeted at blemish prone skin and it also contains shea butter (which apparently isn't great for blemishes, especially when trying to clear up acne). I would recommend it as a potential morning cleanser, but at night I personally prefer something that is hopefully helping to eliminate the chances of any further breakouts. The tea flower cleanser is perfect for this job as it contains salicylic acid however, it is not too over powering and after at least a month of use, I can honestly say that it hasn't dried out my skin at all. I'm really impressed as not only do I have sensitive skin, but in addition to using this cleanser I also use the La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo and the Duac Once Daily Gel (Review here) which aren't the most moisturising partners in crime! This cleanser has really cleared up my spots and minimised the 'bumpy' look of my skin. I've even been reaching for a tinted moisturiser rather than foundation which I haven't been able to do in months. Yes its worked that well. If your having your own skin nightmare then I really recommend trying this cleanser out (FYI: I also make sure that I double cleanse on the days when I'm wearing makeup).

Do you have a 'skin saviour' product?

The Navy Coat - Zara Dupe

If your a regular reader of my blog then you'll already be aware that I am in love obsessed with Zara. Every time I click on that website, which is very frequently might I add - I have to restraint myself from adding everything to my basket. However, its not exactly the most affordable website as most of you will probably agree. Since the beginning of autumn I have been on the search for the perfect winter coat. I'm not sure the 'perfect' coat exists, well on the high street anyway, but I'll have to admit that this Navy Zara coat comes pretty close. However, at £129 its not exactly a bargain buy. This is where my quest to find a dupe began and from what I've found, I think I've done a pretty good job if I do say so myself! H&M never fails, their Trend collection always has me weak at the knees - I'd even say that it sometimes actually exceeds Zara, both in design and quality - ...yes I did just say that.

Their coat selection did not disappoint and when I first spotted the coat on the left, I immediately recognised the similarities to the Zara coat. It's definitely one of the best dupes that I came across in my search. However, it's actually really oversized and being petite, I just knew that it would swamp me. It would be perfect though for anybody of average height and its actually just gone into the sale today at the bargain price of £20. Although I was initially really disappointed, I soon spotted the coat on the right. Although this has a slightly different design, it still has all the characteristics of the Zara coat but with a slight twist. It's much more fitted, its slightly longer so therefore its a more suitable length for winter and most importantly it definitely suits my body shape much better. I was sold, at £24.99 - I couldn't actually believe how cheap it was - it doesn't exactly break the bank and it definitely looks more expensive!

Have you found your 'perfect' winter coat yet?

The Perfect Christmas Red - MAC Ruby Woo

So...its been a while since I last blogged, my bad! I'm currently working on another project *which I'm very excited about - more info will be revealed in the new year* and I guess I just haven't worked out how to manage my time effectively just yet. On another note I should also be getting a new camera for Christmas, its definitely about time and I'm really looking forward to improving my blog's photo quality!

Now life updates aside, let me get on to the real gem of the post. Mac Ruby Woo lipstick - also known as the 'perfect Christmas red' during the festive season. I was actually gifted this lipstick from my younger brother for my Christmas present two years ago. So, I suppose you could say that I've had plenty of time to test it out and it certainly hasn't disappointed me. First  of all, Mac's Ruby Woo is a matte lipstick. Some time ago I would have avoided this finish like the plague, as I was once a glossy lip lover and that's all I had time for *clicks fingers*. However, I decided to gamble and 'take a walk on the wild side' ha and well...this is the lipstick that converted me. I now love matte lipsticks, shockingly even more so than my previously well loved glossy finish offerings. I like the fact that they don't seem to smudge as easily, they help avoid the dreaded 'caked in makeup' look due to being slightly more subtle and when your wearing a more daring shade -  like Ruby Woo - I personally feel as if I look less 'baby faced' and more my actual age, due to the more mature finish that this lipstick creates.

Another aspect of this lipstick that I love is that although it is slight darker than your average 'pillar box red' it still works throughout the year. Yes I know I've called this my 'perfect Christmas red', but that's more so because I associate everything Christmassy with this shade - yes I'm also rocking red nails right now - it still works throughout the year. I have worn this during every season and you just cant beat pairing it with cat eyed black liner for a classic chic look. Effortlessly fabulous.

Tips for wearing this lipstick:

* A lipliner really does help with the smudging side of things, yes many a drunken night has ended with this bad boy wandering around my face...I usually pair it with a cheap and cheerful offering from Rimmel.
*Moisturise your lips before you even attempt to apply this. This lipstick will hide no sins, it will literally stick to any dry patch. Not.a.good.look!
*Lipcote is your best friend. Yes it feels like your nail varnishing your lips at first, a very strange sensation I must say - but it does successfully prolong the wear time. Trust me.
*Have fun with this colour and work it! However, I wouldn't advise wearing it when planning to eat a large meal. Christmas day - No no/Christmas nights out - Hell yeah!!

New Product Find #3 - Boujois Happy Light Foundation

This foundation is right up my street! although my skin is majorly going through some kind of 'crazy phase' at the moment, I still cannot stand heavy base makeup. Seriously, It makes me feel like I've got some kind of mask on. I only actually started wearing foundation all over my face about a month ago and I still can't get used to the feeling. Anyway I digress...I have always loved Bourjois and I'm officially obsessed with their foundations. Ever since I first purchased the '10 hour sleep effect' foundation when I was roughly 16/17 years old, I have been a loyal fan. Yes, I agree that their shade range is usually very limited, however due to my medium olive toned skin, their yellow based foundations are always a great match.

This foundation hasn't let me down, its a provides a perfect sheer/medium coverage (just about all I can deal with! haha) and on me it has a very luminous and almost 'velvety' finish, not too shiny, not too matte - just ideal for the winter season! The only negative I can say about this foundation is that the shade range is waaaaay out, I usually wear shade 52 (Beige Clair) but it is a little too dark. Prior to purchasing it I did read other reviews which advised picking up a shade lighter however, thanks to a disorganised makeup stand  - and my stupidity for not checking it oops - I ended up with my usual shade. I've been mixing it with my Dr Jart water fuse beauty balm to slightly lighten the shade and it seems to be working okay for now. I will probably end up repurchasing it in the right shade though as I just can't be bothered with the hassle.

Have you tried this foundation? What's your favourite Bourjois foundation of all time?

The 'Monday' Manicure - Nails Inc Kate Spade Polish

So, this weeks 'The Sunday Manicure' is a day late! However, as I've had my nails painted for about 4 days now at least you can see how well the polish has lasted. This weeks polish of choice comes in the form of Nails Inc. collaboration with Kate Spade in the shade 'New York Noir'. It actually came free with Glamour magazine - which is still on sale now - and I think there's about 3 shades to chose from altogether. Although I liked the look of the others, a gold and a red, I was drawn to the glossy black as I personally think that black is a shade that is timeless and always look so chic on. I have a love/hate relationship with this shade on my own nails, as it doesn't always look great depending on my skin tone at the time. However, I usually just add a few midi rings, which slightly distracts from the harsh shade, whilst still making my nails look effortlessly stylish. I'm also really impressed with the quality of this polish, it's opaque after just one coat (although I always use two, creature of habit!), the brush is a great shape so its really easy to apply and it doesn't take forever to dry. I give this polish a big thumbs up!

Have you picked up any of the Nails Inc. Kate Spade polishes?

Mild Acne SOS - Duac Once Daily Gel

I have always been extremely lucky with my skin, apart from the odd spot here and there, I didn't really have any issues whatsoever. However, this has all changed. Due to one reason or another, my skin has gone completely crazy. Although I still have combination/oily skin, I've developed acne on my forehead, a patch on my cheek and more mildly on my chin. It has been driving me crazy but the most frustrating thing is that I have no clue how to deal with it all. Where do you start?!

Well, I suppose I 'started' my quest for my old skin - oo how I miss thee - by visiting the doctor. At first I though it was some kind of rash, maybe even an allergic reaction? But no, I had acne, okay it's a milder version than some people have to endure, but all the same it's still god damn annoying. I was prescribed Duac Once Daily Gel and although I've been using it now for well over a month, it unfortunately hasn't made that much difference. Yes, it brings spots to a head, but that's about it. It doesn't seem to prevent any further breakouts, although it's certainly doing an excellent job of drying my skin out to the max :-( So, maybe I actually have combination/oily/dry skin now.

One of my major worries is that I'm going to accidently scar my face, as I have no idea about which spots are actually 'popable' and which are best left alone. I've been reading some well-known skin care blogs and although I have a better idea about how to treat my skin problems - which wasn't hard as I knew nothing before - I would still really appreciate some advice!

Have you experienced sudden onset acne? Do you have any products that you could recommend?

Bargain Buy - Ebay Perfume Travel Spray

I thought I would write a quick post about my latest eBay purchase! After coming to the conclusion that my ever expanding perfume collection needed to be used more frequently, I decided to hunt down a travel spray. A travel spray is the perfect alternative to the impractical task of carrying around a perfume bottle. Especially as perfume bottles (usually made of glass) + my clumsiness is a recipe for disaster! After a quick Google search, Oprah.com (how random I know haha) confirmed my suspicion that perfume does have quite a short lifespan before it can start to go off - roughly 2 years for an opened bottle and 12/18 months for an unopened perfume. This might seem like plenty of time to some, but when you have a fair few its easy to forget about the bottles towards the back!

After searching eBay I came across a 'Useful Refillable Perfume Atomizer Bottle for Travel Spray Scent Pump Case 5ml' link here for only 99p and 69p delivery. Although it's from China, it took just under 2 weeks to arrive - which I think is quite good as I've waited much longer for items dispatched from China before. It also comes in quite a few colours including, black, white, yellow and purple. The spray itself is small, sleek and compact and more importantly its very easy to use. You just pop the spray part off your selected perfume, place the travel spray over the top and pump it until it's full. There's even a 'how-to-guide' on the actual eBay page, which demonstrates this in pictures.

I think its a great product and I'm sure I'll definitely get more use out of my perfumes now!

Have you used/or considered using a travel spray before?

The Sunday Manicure - Three Product Staples

If my nails are not looking tip top, then you know I'm either A: unwell or B: temporarily parted from my nail product stash. The rest of the time I make sure they are primped, primed and polished - literally. I genuinely do this routine roughly once a week, usually on a Sunday and I can honestly say that I enjoy every minute of it. I've said it before and I'll say it again, 'nail time' for me is like therapy. It sounds a little dramatic, but it's true! So, today I thought I would introduce you to three nail product staples that I will definitely be repurchasing for the foreseeable future.

Step one in my routine and key to keeping my nails looking healthy and in a neat condition - Sally Hanson Instant Cuticle Remover. This stuff works Fast. Pop it on, wait just 15 seconds, then gently push back your cuticles (with a tool obviously) and voilà you're done. Just make sure that you wash your nails properly to get any remaining residue off. This stuff is also strong and I can imagine it doing a lot of damage if it is not used correctly.

The nail strengthener and base coat in one? Well, that would be the OPI Nail Envy - in Original to be exact. I love this polish and you can find a full review here if you want to check that out! It dries quickly, I usually use two coats and I've been using it for about 2 years now, which says it all really.

Lastly, I bring you the 'perfect polish' and this comes in the form of Barry M Gelly Hi Shine Nail Polish - FYI, I'm wearing the shade Raspberry in the photo above. Yes this part of my post is a little bit more bias - if you're an avid reader of my blog then you will be aware that I praise this polish at every chance I get - but I do genuinely love it (you can find my full review here). Great price, great quality and great colours. Seriously, what's not to love?!

What are your nail product staples?

Camera Confusion - Advice Needed!

So, at the moment I've been relying on my IPhone to take photographs for my blog, which is actually really hard work as the zoom is not amazing. As I've really got hooked with blogging (at last!) I've decided that I need to up my game and purchase a good quality camera to use for my blog posts. The problem is...where do you start?! As I'm hoping to get this camera as a Christmas present (hopefully a very early one if I get my way haha) I don't want to ask for one that costs hundreds. I'm thinking more £150 and under. I'm also not too bothered if it can record videos in great quality, but obviously that would be a plus if I did ever decide to venture into making them...

As Canon is such a well  known and trusted brand in the photography world (I know I sound like I know what I'm talking about but honestly I don't! ha), I would prefer a Canon camera. So, far I have spotted the 'Canon PowerShot SX500 IS 16MP 30x Zoom Bridge Camera' which seems great and although the price varies on different websites, I have found it on offer at just £139.99.

Have you used this camera or do you have any recommendations? Any advice would be much appreciated!

Product Let Down #2 - Maybelline 'The Rocket' Mascara

Maybelline...seriously what were you thinking? ahhh this mascara is awful and that's putting it politely. I'm usually such a fan of Maybelline mascaras, so I'm actually gutted to have to write this. But, if I'm being honest it is, well...crap. I dislike the packaging, the formula, but most of all I really hate the brush. It is far too wide, which makes the application uncomfortable, clumsy and usually clumpy - if I'm being honest its possibly the worst brush out of all the range that I've tried - and that does have some steep competition, the colossal cat eyes mascara...I'm looking at you! Although this mascara is also part of the volume express range, it does not provide the lashes with any volume at all. It doesn't lengthen them, it doesn't thicken them and it certainly doesn't hold a curl very well - even after the use of eyelash curlers.

The only positive I can say about this mascara is that it's actually okay for bottom lash application, which really surprised me. At first I couldn't understand why it worked so well, particularly as it's so bad at top lash application. However, after I examined the product properly I came to the conclusion that this is probably due to the slightly narrower part of the brush near the tip. It might be an awful mascara in general but as it's sort of got a use, it wasn't a complete wasteful purchase!  

4/10 at the most!

The Blog Recognition - Sunshine Award

Paige from PB Beauty nominated me for the Sunshine Award :-) Thanks so much Paige, make sure you check out her blog too!

Rules:
1. List 11 facts about yourself.
2. Answer the 11 questions from the blogger that nominated you.
3. Nominate bloggers you feel deserve this award.
4. Write 11 questions for them to answer in their award post.
5. Let the bloggers know that you have nominated them.

11 facts about me:
1. This is the 3rd time I've attempted to blog but now I'm definitely hooked!
2. I have 3 siblings - I'm the joint middle child.
3. I love history and it was my favourite subject in school/college.
4. Hit Me Baby One More Time is one of my all time favourite songs haha
5. I cannot cook, although I like to attempt baking when I can be bothered.
6. I am not very domesticated at all...I would make a very poor housewife!!
7. I'm addicted to crisp, they are my ultimate downfall.
8. I am not very sporty although I go through phases of loving exercise.
9. I watch rubbish TV...a lot.
10. I started reading blogs in 2009 and kick myself for not sticking to blogging years ago.
11. I'm teeny tiny at only 5'2!

11 Questions from Paige:

 1. Why did you start blogging?

As a form of distraction/escape whilst going through a tough time in my life. 

 2. What is one makeup item you always splurge on?

Skincare although that's not technically makeup... 

 3. If you could only choose 3 makeup items to use for the rest of your life, what would they be?

Concealer, Eyebrow Powder and Bronzer!

 4. If you could only shop from one makeup brand, what would it be?

Bourjois without a doubt, love it!

 5. Where is your favourite place to shop for makeup?

Boots

 6. Where is your favourite place to shop for clothes?

H&M - the Trend collection specifically

 7. What is favourite thing about blogging?

The feedback from readers, it great when people acknowledge the effort you put into blogging.

 8. Who is your favourite fashion or beauty inspiration?

Eva Mendez, Eva Longoria, Jessica Alba - love the Latina look!

 9. What are your favourite fall fashion or beauty trends?

Tartan, although I don't actually own anything tartan at the moment and dark berry toned lipstick.

 10. If you could choose anything, what would your dream job be?

A Doctor without a doubt.

 11. What is your favourite food?

Chinese, I'm obsessed with it and I have literally tried it in every country I've been!

I nominate:

Caroline - Calijae.com

Chloe - Thriftyskies.blogspot.co.uk

Emma -  Emmaloujohansson.blogspot.co.uk 

Jodie - Mwahmakeup.blogspot.co.uk

My Questions are:

1. Who is your favourite blogger at the moment?

2. If you watch Youtube, who's your favourite Youtuber?

3. What's your favourite Mac Lipstick or Mac Product (if you don't own any lipsticks)?

4. What is your favourite online beauty site to buy from?

5. How did you initially find out about blogging?

6. What camera do you use to take photographs for your blog and do you have any recommendations?

7. How many posts do you publish each week on average?

8. What's your favourite budget buy?

9. What's your favourite high end buy?

10. How often do you go clothes shopping?

11. How often do you properly clear out your wardrobe?

I really hope you enjoy this award/tag :-)

Winter Wardrobe Staple - H&M Trend Cardigan A/W 13

I love this mohair blend cardigan! It's from the current H&M Trend collection - which I literally fall in love with every season - and as soon as I spotted this piece, I just knew that I had to have it. It's really unusual, has a slightly oversized fit and it will be great for layering during the colder winter months. As I always play it safe and buy winter knitwear in black, this beige cardigan is also a welcomed change to freshen up my mostly monochrome wardrobe! It's currently sold out in XS online, but it is available in S and M. FYI: I ordered size S and I'm usually a size 8-10 in most clothes stores. I also stumbled across this collage (below) whilst browsing Polyvore, whoever created it has really styled the cardigan well for the current season, whilst further emphasising how chic and versatile it is. This cardigan is currently retailing for £39.99 however, H&M always have valid voucher codes online. It worth doing a quick search before you finalise the checkout, I managed to find a voucher that gave me £10 off - oooh how I love a bargain!



New Product Find #1 - Beauty UK Eyebrow Kit

 

 

 

I have found an actual beauty gem! Whilst browsing Superdrug's eyebrow kit offerings, although I was initially drawn to the Sleek eyebrow kit (I already own this in the shades light and dark) I spotted the Beauty UK's kit and swiftly added it to my basket. My first impression of the Beauty UK High Brow eyebrow kit was that it seemed to be a dupe for the original HD brow kit. However, as I haven't actually owned the latter, this was solely a visual comparison - the product colours and layout  are pretty similar. However, unlike the HD kit, the Beauty UK version is extremely purse friendly, at a mere £3.99 to be exact! Due to this lower price, I was apprehensive at how the kit would perform however, I can reassure you that I am seriously impressed. So much so, I actually binned my sleek kit (which was on it's last legs) after discovering this beauty gem and I don't think I'll be repurchasing it anytime soon, if ever.

 

This kit comes in one universal shade and although this is usually limiting, due to the variety of colours available, light brown (which is perfect for blondes), medium brown (think brunettes/auburn hair- plus this my shade!) and dark brown (which would be ideal for dark brunettes and black haired gals), there is a powder available for everyone. This kit also includes a wax, which is an absolute must have in my eyebrow routine. Although I have sparse eyebrows, they are surprisingly unruly at times. FYI, I personally use the wax after the powder application, rather than before it like the kit instructs. I'm not sure if anybody else does this, but it just doesn't work for me when I attempt to do it the other way round.

Have you ever used the Beauty UK eyebrow kit?

Halloween Makeup Showdown - The Devil vs Poison Ivy

So, these are two Halloween looks that I've rocked in the past. I apologise for the awful photo quality but I didn't take these shots with the intention that one day they would end up on a blog! Excuses over...I thought I would share with you which makeup products I used to create each look. If you're looking for some inspiration this Halloween then I hope you find this post helpful.

Although both look appear similar *again probably due to poor photo quality* I promise you that they are entirely different, I only actually used a couple of products that appear in both.

First up: The Devil

Now, in day to day life I usually stick to the 'dramatic eye' or 'lip' makeup rule - as both together can end up making you look either clown-like or like you've applied your makeup in the dark...with a trowel. Never a good look. However, on Halloween? Hell that rule goes well and truly out of the window. As long as you apply it carefully, that's the key. So yes, I did sport a smokey eye and red lip combo and you know what, I think I pulled it off. I didn't get any obvious stares anyway haha.

Products I used:

*Base: Bourjois 10 hour Sleep Effect Foundation in shade 53.
-  I never used to use concealer, which is crazy as I have ridiculously dark under eye circles!
*Powder: Max Factor Crème Puff in shade Medium Beige.
*Eyebrows: Rimmel Eyebrow Pencil in Dark Brown and Sleek Brow Kit in Light.
*Bronzer: my bronzer of choice was Bourjois Delice de Poudre Bronzing in shade 52.
- No blusher (I never used to wear it)
*Eye shadow: Smokey eye courtesy of Benefit 'Smokin' Eye' kit.
*Eyeliner: Rimmel Kohl pencil in Black and Collection Fast Stroke Liquid Eyeliner in Black.
*Mascara: Maybelline, I switch up which one I purchase each time I run out however, the Colossal one is a firm fave! (Yellow tube)
*Lips: The liner was Rimmel London Exaggerate Lip Liner in Red Diva and the lipstick was Mac Ruby Woo. Perfecto!

Next Up: Poison Ivy

To say I was excited to dress up as Poison Ivy would be an understatement. Since Kim Kardashian rocked the look a few years ago, Poison Ivy has fast become the ultimate 'glam' villain! ooh and boy did I embrace that look. As I decided to wear a wig paired with the infamous ivy mask - FYI, I did a little DIY to it as it was barely big enough to cover my eyes! - I decided to tone down the eye makeup (who am I kidding, I let the lashes do the talkin' instead) and focus on a berry toned lipstick, to compliment the dark wine red hair of course. Unfortunately I didn't have time to create the 'Ivy eyebrows' properly with makeup, but if I do ever get the chance then I'll make sure I update this post.

Products I used:

*Base: A mixture of Dr Jart Water Fuse Beauty Balm and Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum foundation in shade 53 which was used on the areas that needed extra coverage.
*Concealer: A mixture of Rimmel London Wake Me Up Concealer in shade Classic Beige (under eyes) and Collection Illuminating Touch Concealer in shade 2.
*Powder: Rimmel Powder Stay Matte Pressed Powder in Transparent.
*Eyebrows: Rimmel Eyebrow Pencil in Dark Brown, Sleek Brow Kit in Light and Dark and Estee Lauder Automatic Brow Pencil Duo in shade Soft Brown.
*Bronzer: Bourjois Maxi Delight Bronzing Powder - I think this comes in one universal shade.
*Blusher: A mixture of Bourjois Little Round Pot Blush in shade 33 - Lilas D'or and Mac crème blush in shade Lady Blush.
*Highlighter: Mac Fantasy Flower
*Eye Shadow: A subtle smokey eye this time, again using my trusty Benefit 'Smokin' Eye' kit and a random green shadow from a Next makeup compact! 
*Eyeliner: Rimmel Kohl pencil in Black and Collection Fast Stroke Liquid Eyeliner in Black.
*Fake Eyelashes: Primark lashes, yes that's right Primark! A bargain at £1!
*Mascara: Maybelline 'The Rocket' Mascara - FYI, I am not a fan of this product!
*Lips: Rimmel Lasting Finish Matte Lipstick by Kate Moss in shade 107.

Yes, it is a lot of makeup but if you can't get away with it at Halloween, then when can you! ;-) So the ultimate question is, which look do you prefer? The Devil or Poison Ivy??

  

The Sunday Manicure - Deep Plum 'Glitter Bomb'

As I haven't shared a manicure post before - which is actually shocking as I always have my nails painted - I thought it was about time that I did. As we are unfortunately heading into the winter season *long sigh* I decided that if you can't embrace vampy nails now, then when can you?! The nails polishes of choice - Barry M Hi Shine Gel Effect in Deep Plum and Technic Polish in Mad Alice (which cost only 99p! at Bodycare). I'm not sure if the latter is actually a dupe of a more high end polish? I say this as I own a fair few and they are usually a cheaper replica of an OPI polish. Anyway, they are both stunning and as always I just cannot fault the Barry M gelly polishes. I'm seriously going to end up owning the entire range - woops. I've done a pervious post on the range here if you want to read my initial swooning.

Mad Alice is a beautiful purple based polish which also houses glitter flecks that come in different colours and sizes. It manages to compliment the deep plum base, whilst also adding that little somethin' which really makes my nails stand out from the crowd. I also think that this combination has a very salon-esque finish, which is great for when your after a very sleek and polished look. This type of manicure also usually attracts a lot of attention, which is a godsend when your trying to distract from a certain feature - aka my horrendous skin at the moment! - More about that in a later post...

Apologises for the poor quality photos! Note to self: Don't attempt to take photos in the evening...

Should I, Shouldn't I? - Tattoo Indecisiveness

So, today's post is pretty random but after coming across a really unusual tattoo on tumblr, I just knew that I had to share it! I've been two minds about getting a tattoo for years, yes years! Since school I can remember drawing them on my hands, stencilling potential designs on a notepad and hell I've even been to one or two tattoo parlours. But, something always stops me from just going for it. Maybe it's how popular tattoos have become or maybe it's the fact that they are so permanent, or just maybe it's because I am the most indecisive person ever? - see I can't even decide on that!

Either way I panic that I'll regret it after one year day and then well...I'll be stuck with it. I also worry about where on earth I would get one done?! As I'm such a small person, I wouldn't want anything too big and overpowering, so in my head I've always imagined a really small, simple black ink design. Usually these types of tattoos look lovely on the wrist, behind the ear, on the shoulder or even on a foot. But, I also want it to be somewhere that isn't too noticeable, particularly when considering the field of work that I'm wanting to have a career in. Hummmm... Any advice would be great! 

In the meantime this is the tattoo I was talking about, although I'm not too hot on colour tattoos or the design if I'm truthful, I think the technique that has been used is absolutely stunning. I really love unusual tattoos, particularly the ones that stray away from the bog standard template design that everyone seems to have. Yes I'm talking, anchors, stars, feathers, the infinity design etc. (I don't mean to offend anyone who has one of those designs, but you must know what I mean, right?) However, when thinking about what design I would personally like...well that's an entirely different indecisive dilemma.

Maybe I'm just not cut out for this tattoo lark after all...

Product Let Down - bareMinerals Mascara

I really dislike this product!

The brush, the formula and even the smell, in my opinion it's definitely one to pass on. I had high hopes for this 'flawless definition volumizing' mascara, particularly as it's more expensive (£16.00 to be precise) than your average drug store mascaras - which are way better might I add, Maybelline is a particular favourite brand of mine - however, it's possibility the worst mascara I have ever tried.

Although this product is marketed as giving the lashes 'ultimate volume and perfect definition', it is really difficult to apply, it makes my lashes look clumpy if I attempt to add more than one coat and the brush is far too big to coat bottom lashes lightly. Think spider lashes and you wouldn't be far off unfortunately! It also really stings your eyes if you accidentally get some product in them when removing it.

The only positive thing I can say about this product is that I like the packaging, as its housed within a sleek, half matte/half shiny stylish looking tube. I intend to keep this product as an emergency mascara, but that's the only real use I can find for it.

bareMinerals...what you playing at?!

The Feather Ring - Pandora A/W 2013 Collection

Well, it was my 23rd birthday last month and for once in my life I couldn't think of what I wanted to get as my main present! Crazy I know, but this year I wanted something different, sentimental and possibly something that I could wear - excluding makeup and clothes of course...there just necessities in life, right? So, I decided on a ring. A Pandora ring to be precise. My mum purchased a beautiful pearl ring from there last year and I've secretly been eyeing it up ever since. However, as I wanted a more understated ring that I could wear on a regular basis, I decided to browse for a ring with a more subtle and sturdy design.

The whole collection is absolutely gorgeous and it literally took me forever to decide which one to choose. I'm such an indecisive person at the best of times, even more so when shopping for jewellery! However, once I saw it I knew that it was perfect for me - even if did think it was a leaf at first, whoops. Its actually in the design of a feather and unsurprisingly it is part of the new feather collection, which has additional matching jewellery including, earrings, a bracelet/charm and a necklace - which is already on my Christmas wish list...shhhh!

I love how unusual this ring is, from the original design, to the sheer amount of sparkle that the cubic zirconia gemstones create. I also really like the fact that this ring is inspired by something that can have numerous connotations. For example, I personally find the possibility of guardian angels fascinating and therefore wearing a feather makes me feel protected, almost as if I am being watched over. However, that's just what I take from the ring, it's each to their own I suppose.  I've linked the ring here and as the feather collection is a new release - it was launched as part of the new Autumn/Winter 2013 collection - I imagine it will be available for a long time. I hope so anyway!

The Skin Saviour - 'Quick Fix' Mud Mask

My skin is going completely crazy at the moment! if you read my 'Current Cleansers - SOS' post then you may recall that I mentioned it then. I have no idea what's causing it?! but I didn't even have skin problems like this during my teenage years. Who knew how stressful spots were?! I am usually extremely lucky with my skin and my only problem is usually blackheads due to my oily/combination skin type, however lately I've had a terrible red, itchy 'pimple party' on my forehead and chin. After trying everything you can imagine, one product that I used which has literally calmed everything down and is slowly starting to clear this mess up - to put it politely - is shockingly a mud based face mask that I purchased on a whim. It cost me £4.99 which is not only affordable but also a fraction of the price when compared to the more well known mud masks that are currently doing the rounds in the 'blogosphere'.

The product I'm harping on about? Let me introduce you to... the 'Quick Fix Facials Anti-Blemish Mud Mask - Link Here, which I think (don't hold me to it!) may be exclusive to Boots. At first glance I made a beeline for the clay mask from that range, however once I studied the back of the bottles I decided that the mud mask was the perfect match for me.

The Problems:
Excess oil, congested, blemish prone skin or a general combinational skin type.

The Solutions:
Dead Sea Mud – helps absorb and control oil production
Salicylic Acid – helps draw out impurities and tighten the pores - which really sold it for me!
Tea Tree Oil – helps to treat spots and prevent future blemishes

I am obsessed with this mask, it states that you should leave it on for 10 minutes at a time however, I was a 'little naughty' and left it on for about 30 mins the second time I used it, then roughly an hour on the third/fourth time. I also used it all over my face and then alternatively just on my problem areas. I felt that this made a great difference as it didn't dry my skin out too much and it saved me some product in the long term - win win situation.

I cannot recommend this mask enough! If your having a unusual breakout, then this is the product for you. It has definitely been my skin saviour anyway.

The Biker Jacket - Zara Inspired

So, you may remember the gorgeous biker inspired coat that Zara was selling during Autumn/Winter 2012. I so desperately wanted to purchase it but I just couldn't justify the price tag *student problems*. At the time, Zara seemed to be one of the only high street shops that was selling this style of jacket, however they are now everywhere! I decided to have a little look online and I've managed to find some really good dupes.

 

Top left to bottom right:

 

1. River Island - £80 (Link here) I love this jacket! Although there are many biker jackets available now, this particular jacket is still quite unusual as River Island has decided to incorporate faux fur. For this reason this jacket would be great for anyone that wants to follow the trend but still wants a unique edge, it also reminds me a lot of the 'aviator' faux fur biker jacket trend that was very in few winter's ago.

 

2. Topshop - £85 (Link here) I decided to include this jacket as I really like the fact that it is textured. It's also oversized which again seems to be a trend that is going to last the winter season (I personally love oversized items - especially tops).

 

3. H&M - £34.99 (Link here) This is my favourite jacket and I'm probably going to purchase it as I just love the simplicity of this particular piece. I also really like the inclusion of leather (probably faux) which gives the jacket a stylish edge.  

 

4. New Look - £29.99 (Link here) This jacket is very similar to the H&M jacket, however it is has a slightly more oversized fit. This is also the cheapest black jacket that I have found so far, so it's great for anyone that's on a tight budget.

 

5. Primark - £25 (Link here) Yes this coat is pink! It's not really to my personal taste but I wanted to include a biker jacket of colour to emphasis the variety that is currently in stores. Pink is also set to be 'the colour' of coats this season...although I think I'll pass on that! ;-)

Millie Mackintosh - The Wedding Dress

How gorgeous does Millie look?!

I love how she's chosen a vintage lace wedding dress, it's so classy and matched with the Christian Louboutin peep-toe heels - I think brides-to-be everywhere will be envious! It's such an effortlessly chic look and I particularly love the lower back detail. The choice of a slightly shorter wedding veil is also interesting, as she has obviously wanted to keep her look traditional but with an updated edge.

I think that she's also got the classic 'bride makeup' spot on, she looks so fresh and dewy (her signature look of course), whilst still appearing sun kissed and luminous.

Her hair also reflects her 'classic' look perfectly and I love how she has adapted the a typical up-do with a chunky braid to keep the look stylish yet youthful.

What a beautiful bride!

Current Cleansers - SOS

Although my skin has a been a little crazy lately to say the least! I have been enjoying switching up my skincare routine, in particular my cleansers. At the moment I seem to switch between The Body Shop, Super Facialist Una Brennan, Liz Earle and Clarins offerings.

To make this post interesting and not too wordy I've decided to list my likes and dislikes about each product below:

Body Shop Aloe Vera Calming Cleaner (£7.99) - I have been using this cleanser for years! I love it, although its aimed solely for use on the face I usually use this to take my eye makeup off. It does the job perfectly and as its aimed for sensitive skin it never irritates them. It also doesn't sting if it accidentally goes into your eyes too, which is always a plus. No negatives to report with this, I will continue to repurchase for the foreseeable future.

Super Facialist Una Brennan Rose Hydrate Calming Creamy Cleanser (£7.99) - This is a great cleanser that I discovered recently whilst browsing the boots website. Although I only purchased this product due to it being on offer, it has turned out to be a real gem. I also really like the fact that you can use it like a facial wash or alternatively remove it with a muslin cloth. The only negative that I can say is that the rose scent is very intense, so it might be slightly overpowering for some people.

Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser (£14.75) - A holy grail skincare product! Although there's not as much hype about this product anymore, I think it's amazing and it's also my go to cleanser when my skin is behaving badly (like now). I can't think of any negatives with this product apart from the price, I wish it was more affordable!

Clarins Cleansing Milk (£18.00) - I think this cleanser is great if you can't for whatever reason wash your face with water afterwards (a must in my skincare routine). It removes makeup quickly and doesn't leave residue on the skin, instead absorbing and leaving the skin feeling squeaky clean. It also has a gorgeous scent and a little goes a long way. Again, I can't really point out any negatives with this product (apart from the price), I'm really enjoying using it.

More importantly, thanks to all these cleansers I've also nearly kicked my face wipe addiction once and for all! Apart from those days I'm just far too lazy  tired of course ;-)

The Monochrome Dress - Kourtney Kardashian Inspired

I personally love Kourtney's style, I thinks she is by far the best dressed Kardashian sister. A look of hers that recently caught my eye was her outfit at Kylie's 16th birthday party. I'm really into monochrome at the moment, it's such a classic look. I also genuinely agree with the Chanel quote, 'Dress women in black and white at a ball. They will catch the eye'. In addition to my current monochrome obsession, I'm also loving red accessories, particularly lipstick and nail varnish! So, when I spotted Kourtney rockin' this look, I just knew I had to recreate it.

 

I apologise about the really rubbish photo of me! I've included a larger image from the ASOS website so you can see the exact dress that I'm wearing. I love it! It's currently in the sale at £20 from £40 (I have linked it here) ASOS are also offering an extra 10% off code for any items that are in the sale, so its definitely a bargain! I think this dress is real statement piece and a wardrobe staple as it will never go out of fashion. Plus every girl needs a LBD LBWD (Little Black and White Dress that it!). FYI, my lipstick is Mac's Ruby Woo, which is such a gorgeous matte red lipstick - I always wear it with a lipliner and a slick of Lipcote to prolong it's lasting power.

My University Experience and Tips!

I've decided to write this post as although I'm still technically at university (I should have graduated this summer but ill health managed to mess that up!) I am virtually at the end of my course. I only have one semester to complete and as I will be spending that time on placement, I won't be spending much time at uni at all. I really enjoyed my time at university and I think a lot of that has to do with the fact that I was very unhappy in a full-time job in the year prior to applying. So, you could say that going to university was almost like an escape for me!

Gap Year

The main reason I decided to take a gap yeah before going to uni was because I was clueless about what I wanted to do! I did actually apply for a degree course whilst I was still in college (I took the A-Level route) and I got accepted into virtually all the uni's I applied for. But if anything that put me off! It was almost too easy. It made me take a step back and think about what the actual course would lead to and through doing this I realised it wouldn't really lead to anything in particular, plus I was sure that I would be one of many with the same sort of degree. It all just seemed like a waste of time and money!

...Full time Student Worker

So, I decided to try the world of work. I carried on working part-time until I moved jobs when I was lucky enough to get a full-time position in basically the same street but a totally different sector (I know I'm not going into much detail, but I like to be careful that I'm not putting too much of my life online). This job had lots of training opportunities and although I definitely could have worked my way 'up the ladder' (that particular company even offered a degree opportunity), it just wasn't for me. I didn't really enjoy my time there at all, there was a mixture of factors that contributed to my decision, but the main reason was that I just wasn't that interested in that particular line of work. FYI - I didn't leave this job when I started university, I just went part-time.

Becoming a Student Again

This time when I was applying to go to university I was determined to pick a course that I knew would qualify me in a particular profession. My course also included a placement each year, which is something that I would advise all potential students to think about! Experience is usually essential when trying to get a job after all. It was also very difficult to get onto this course which was the total opposite to the course I had applied for previously. However, this also meant that I had to ensure that I completed lots of research, voluntary work and that I was prepared to be interviewed.

The interview From Hell!

Even though I felt that I had prepared sufficiently, one interview went terribly. I can hand on heart say that it was possibly the worst interview that I have ever experienced and even though that sounds dramatic due to my young age, I have experienced a fair few interviews in my time. I'm not going to go into much detail about it but they basically did not think I was suitable for the course. However, they had clearly made their minds up prior to even meeting me. Why I was offered an interview I'll never know?! Anyway, I'm the type of person that likes to make the most out of negative situations and therefore this only made me try harder to fight for a place at the next uni interview - And I got it! *HA*

Keeping Costs Down

As my university is a short train ride from my house, I decided to stay at home. Some people would argue that I haven't had the 'true' university experience, but I don't regret it one bit! It's each to their own I suppose. I had the luxury of partying whilst also having my home comforts. It worked for me and I still made good friends. As I also worked part-time to ensure that I always had spare cash for whatever I needed, if I had moved into the city centre then I would have had to leave this job, so it just didn't seem economical. Getting a part-time job can also be hard work when there are over three universities in one city!

Tips!

My main tip would be enjoy it, three/four years fly's by and before you know it you'll be graduated and hunting for your 'grown-up' job. Apart from that I would also advise you to...

*Use your university library to your advantage.
*Don't leave your essays to last minute if you can't cope with writing a 3000 word essay under pressure/usually during the night before it's due - I can't!
*Don't be afraid to ask your tutor for help if your struggling.
*If you fail an assignment, reflect upon where you have gone wrong and learn from it.
*If you go on placement, try to get as much learning out of it as you can.
*Ask your friends for help! My course year had our own private Facebook page - so handy!
*If your unhappy with the course/essays/tutors or anything to doing with your university experience - Tell your course rep (who is usually a nominated student and therefore easy to confide in).
*Remember that all this hard work is to better yourself in life, try not to get too stressed.

and finally....enjoy all the time off that you well and truly deserve! and make sure you take advantage of your student discount, I definitely did :-)

I hope you liked this post, I may do a 'placement survival' post soon as I think that it would be very handy if you are thinking about or about to start a course that involves placements. They can be very challenging yet rewarding at time!

Quick Post!

Hope all my readers are having a lovely bank holiday! I've been relaxing whilst enjoying this beautiful weather and now were going to have a barbeque - Perfection! New posts should be live soon :-)

Bourjois Colour Boost Lip Crayons

So after a few days of feeling sorry for myself (I managed to get shingles...not a pleasant experience I must say!) I am now feeling a bit better and ready to commence the blogging. After flicking through my latest posts I noticed that there hasn't been much beauty related chit chat and as I'm a fully fledged beauty addict, I decided that this can go on no more! so for that reason I proudly introduce you to my current pride and joys...

The Bourjois Colour Boost Lip Crayons! I love them. Actual love. This is no over exaggeration, they are just...well, amazing. I haven't actually tried any other brand of lip crayon as I just genuinely didn't think I'd like them. However, I couldn't have been so wrong. I expected lip crayons as a whole to be matte, drying and difficult to apply but Bourjois offerings are extremely hydrating, glossy and idiot fool-proof. I purchased the shades, 'Peach on the Beach', 'Orange Punch' and 'Fuchsia Libre' on the 3 for 2 offer that Superdrug is currently running. However, I will also be purchasing the fourth crayon 'Red Sunrise' pronto. I'm not going to go into too much detail about the colour of each crayon as the names pretty much do all the explaining however, I will say that they are extremely pigmented and luminous.

 

Bourjois markets their lip crayons as 'bringing comfort and hydration to your lips for 10 hours', although they are certainly long lasting, I'm not sure that 10 hours is a justifiable claim. However, I do agree with statement that the lip crayons are both practical as well as beautiful and this is largely due to the incorporation of a SPF 15. If I'm honest though, I would have to say that my favourite feature is the smell, they smell delicious, almost edible (Until you remember that they are cosmetic products and not food of course...). They also really remind me of the Maybelline Revlon Colorburst Lip Butter's, which is a plus as I also love them! The only negative that I can say about the lip crayon range is that I would like more shade options, particularly as the Autumn/Winter season is fast approaching. At the moment the shades are very summery which is great, but I would love a deep burgundy and plum to add to my collection.

Overall, I am very pleased with my new lip products, I have worn them virtually everyday since I got them. Congrats Bourjois, your lip crayons have well and truly won me over!

 

 

 

(Me wearing 'Fuchsia Libre' - Sorry about the awful quality photo!)