Thursday 12 June 2014

Returning after a long break | MAC eyeshadows


After a long break from blogging, I can happily say that I have returned. My absence wasn't because I had given up on my blog, it was purely down to constantly feeling stressed and as a result feeling completely uninspired. Now that I have finished my second year at University I feel that the stress has been lifted off my shoulders and I now have a lot more free time than I did before. 

Today I thought I'd do a quick post about the MAC quad that I own, a future post will incorporate some of these shadows into creating a look which can be worn for a night out. 







Top photo: Naked Lunch, Satin Taupe, Kid & Espresso. 

This palette was created across two trips to MAC due to each of the shadows costing £10.50 refill pan form. Making two trips made it a lot more bearable for me to spend the money as it wasn't all in one go! I absolutely love this palette for both day and night time occasions. I constantly find myself reaching to 'Naked Lunch' and 'Kid' on a day to day basis. I first apply 'Kid' in my crease and up to just below the brow bone using a MAC 217 blending brush. 'Kid' is described by MAC as a beige cashmere colour. My eye shape can be described as' puppy dog eyes' meaning that they slightly droop at the edges, therefore applying the shadow up to just below the brow bone means that it gives the illusion of an eye lift. I then apply 'Naked Lunch' (minimal pink with shimmer) all across my lid, then add a bit more of 'Kid' in the outer V of my eye. On days where I want to darken up my eyes a bit I apply 'Espresso' (a muted golden brown) on top of 'Kid' in my outer V. This look would be perfect for a day time look as well as a night time look, as it can be intensified with black liquid liner and a heavier application of 'Espresso' in the outer V. 

What encourages me to want to purchase more of these MAC shadows is that they possess such great quality and pigmentation. They aren't too powdery and don't leave much fall out. I've found that the 217 brush blends the shadows together perfectly creating an effortless look in just a few minutes. 

What are your favourite MAC eye shadows?






Sunday 16 March 2014

Update!

Hi Everyone!

These last few weeks for me have been absolute manic, I've had an unbelievable amount of coursework to do which has been so stressful and has taken up most of my time. Unlike some organized bloggers I know I haven't been scheduling my posts. I just wanted to write a short post to let you guys know I haven't given up and as soon as I finish my coursework which is this week I will be back and regularly posting again. I've picked up some products which I can't wait to show  you all so please check back next week!

Eikc.

Sunday 2 March 2014

Bodycare | Vaseline Spray & Go

Hi Everyone!

I just wanted to apologise for the lack of posts over the last week or so, my camera lead hasn't been working, so all the photos I've taken haven't been able to be transferred over to my computer. So for this post, I've had to take a photo of the product from the internet as I still wanted to post this. I hope you don't mind and I will hopefully be back posting my own photos very soon!







So today I'm going to do a quick review of the new ish product by Vaseline, it's their Spray & Go body moisturiser. When it comes to body moisturisers I am so lazy and  never can be bothered to apply it. What I hate is the effort it includes and that it takes ages to sink into your skin before you can put clothes back on.

When I went to boots the other week I happened to stumble across this product, it claims to "moisturise in seconds so you can put your clothes straight on". This already sounded like the perfect product for me! The scent I got was aloe fresh, just like the title suggests, the scent is very fresh which is what I liked so much. I also liked that it claimed to be non-greasy and non-sticky as they are both things which put me off in a moisturiser.

This product really does what it claims, there is now no excuse for me not to moisturise my body on a regular basis as it is so quick and easy. It absorbs my skin in seconds and feels pretty moisturising. Unlike a normal cream moisturiser this product is a spray and after application leaves my skin feeling so soft.

I would definitely recommend this product, even better it is very affordable at a price of £4.99.

What's your favourite body moisturiser?

Eikc.

Wednesday 19 February 2014

Issues | Sexual harassment when going clubbing.

Hi Everyone!

Something which infuriates me is the sexual harassment that women receive when they go clubbing. This definitely has had an effect on my experience towards clubbing, especially when I'm out with just my girl friends.

I'm sure this will sound familiar to many of you.. groping of the arse? sweaty men grinding against you? What angers me the most is that it seems people see it as being socially acceptable? Nothing is done about it and it's seen as the norm. I sometimes feel put off going completely as I feel I have to constantly try and avoid these men which almost ruins my night especially when I've come out to have fun and dance not to 'pull'.

It repulses me that there are men taking advantage of women in clubs, especially when they're drunk and at their most vulnerable state. Why is this seen as acceptable? Without consent given, it is seen as sexual harassment and goes against an individual's human rights. Just because a male is drunk themselves and has strong sexual feelings does not give them the right to harass others.

Another aspect which annoys me is the concept that some men possess, that women wearing short and tight clothing are asking for it?

This YouTube clip demonstrates that; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AewZdSvJPPA

Women have every right to wear whatever they want, they've obviously picked what ever they're wearing because they feel comfortable in it and it makes them feel good. This harassment literally takes this away from a woman. Women AREN'T a piece of meat.

In reality these type of  'lads' aren't going to get any action, it's clear how disgusting they are and that they're only looking for one thing.

What are your opinions?

Eikc.

Sunday 16 February 2014

50 Followers

Hi Everyone!

So the other day I reached 50 followers on blog lovin'. This being my first milestone, it meant a lot to me. When I started this blog up, I didn't expect many people to read it, I mainly created it to give myself something to do in conjunction with being a student so to reach 50 followers after a few months of blogging was an achievement for me.

I've loved having my own space of the internet, I've loved finding new blogs and getting involved with the blogging community. I find it to be very rewarding and have found that more of my free time has been spent on reading blogs and watching YouTube.

I hope that my blog grows a lot more over the next year, I still hope to include beauty posts but being a student I have to budget so I feel I'll be adding more lifestyle posts as there is a lot of different topics I'd like to cover. If there is something you'd particularly like to see please leave a comment as I love reading people's opinions!

Eikc.

Saturday 15 February 2014

Perfume | Viva La Juicy Noir

Hi Everyone!

I'm sorry for the lack of posts this week, being a student has caught up with me and I've found myself becoming more and more drowned in work. The weather has been awful in the UK as well and the photos I had taken earlier in the week I wasn't happy with due to the poor lighting therefore didn't want to use them!

Yesterday was Valentines Day and I've never really celebrated it before, me and my boyfriend just spent a quiet night in and I cooked for him. He kindly bought me perfume and I loved the scent so I thought I'd do a quick review on it.



This is the Viva La Juicy Noir by Juicy Couture, this perfume has a sweet floral scent about it. The bottle itself is very girly, I feel it would not be to everyone's taste as it's quite bold. I absolutely love the smell, my favourite scents for perfumes are those which are floral and sweet and this one has both.  I definitely do feel very feminine when wearing this perfume. I've read that the lasting power isn't that long with this perfume but that does not put me off in the slightest as I always carry perfume with me wherever I go. The name 'Viva La Juicy Noir' suggests it would appropriate for an evening occasion, however I feel I'd wear it more during the day and use my Armani Diamonds Rose for a night out. You only need a spray of this perfume as it can be quite over powering if you spray too much.

The top notes of this scent consists of juicy berries and mandarin, mixed with floral scents of honeysuckle, gardenia and jasmine. The mellow notes consist of vanilla, what reminds me of caramel and amber. Finally the base notes consist of sandalwood which gives the scent it's richness.

Have you ever tried any of the range?
What's your favourite perfume?

Eikc.

(I should hopefully be posting more next week, fingers crossed)

Friday 7 February 2014

Issues | Is Uni For You?

The question so many people have to ask themselves when they get to the age of 17/18 is whether university is for them or not. It's a difficult choice and if I'm honest I feel that colleges push the idea of university far too much. Everyone is required to write a personal statement and decide at a too young age what they want to do as a career.

What was my experience of uni like?

The idea of university was something I had always wanted to experience. It was something that was always encouraged by my parents and college. The questions I began to ask myself in the last year of sixth form was; 'what am I going to do with my life after college?', 'where will I be 5 years time?' I've always been one for experiencing new things and new places, I wanted the experience of living somewhere new and studying something I found interesting. For me, this was Psychology, being a second year now I am glad I went to uni, but it wasn't at all how I expected it to me. I was very unhappy for the first few months of my first year and found it very daunting moving so far up the country from my home. Not knowing anyone and have to support myself was intimidating. After a few months, I began to settle in, I pushed myself to try new things and meet new people. I personally feel that uni has changed me as a person to who I was two years ago. Personally I'm glad I went, I feel I've gained a lot more independence and I've learnt a lot of life lessons. I've become more tolerable of people and learnt to compromise a hell of a lot more than I used to. From studying Psychology, I now know that it is something I'd like to do as a career when I graduate. 

HOWEVER

I think that sixth forms need to highlight that there are other options apart from university because it isn't for everyone. Apprenticeships and going straight into work are just as good options. The decision you make should be completely your own decision and it shouldn't be influenced by anyone else. It completely depends on the type of individual you are. Perhaps you like where you are and don't want to move away, or you're happy with your group of friends, it could even be that you've had enough of education and want to get into the real world straight away. Whatever the reason, there is nothing wrong with not going to uni and I don't think this is stressed enough. You can be successful without going to university and you can still go far in life. Money wise, you won't be in a huge amount of debt like say I will be. For 3 years of tuition it will cost me a total of  £27,000 and that isn't counting the loan I get given by student finance which is around £3,000 a year. If you're not 100% sure you want to go, then don't go, because it isn't worth the money you'd be paying, especially if you want to drop out. 

Something I should have thought about

Like I stated earlier, I am one for adventure, one day I want to go travelling. Something which I wish I would have thought about was deferring and take a gap year. Personally I don't think I was ready for uni when I was 18. At the time I didn't really know what I wanted to do and needed more time. Thinking back, it didn't even seem like an option to me. I've always toyed with the idea of travelling, its something I want to do in my life. Some of my friends took a gap year themselves, worked full time and then went travelling, they said it was the best time of their life and grew up a hell of a lot whilst being away. If travelling is something you want to do, then do it while you can, it will get to an age where you won't be able to do it due to your job or starting a family.

Think long and hard on what you want to do, whether it's university or getting a job or starting an apprenticeship. Do what you think is best for yourself, you know yourself more than anyone else.

Eikc.  

Wednesday 5 February 2014

Perfume | Emporio Armani Diamonds Rose


For Christmas I was given this perfume by my boyfriend's family, I had just run out of my Ralph Lauren perfume and was on the hunt for a new one. My boyfriend's sister works in the perfume shop so I went in and she had suggested I smelt this one. The bottle alone stole my attention, the soft pink gives a feminine feel. It looks like a shimmering diamond and has the Armani eagle logo on the front. The bottle itself I think is quite unique, it comes without a lid, instead has a square top which includes the nozzle and spray button. The top looks very secure, so I'd happily put it in my bag and not worry about it.

The perfume is wearable for both day time and night time, it's a light floral fragrance with citrus-fresh notes, mixed with rose and sparkly bergamot, raspberry and blackcurrant. The base of this perfume consists of lily of the valley, freesia, patchouli, and ambrette seed.

I adore this scent, I've had quite a few compliments when I wear this perfume! It doesn't last all day, but it does last quite a long time. It has definitely become my favourite! I will without a doubt be repurchasing it again when it runs out. I particularly like the blurb to describe this fragrance; 'As dazzling as her fragrance, she follows trends but defines her own style. Her appeal is revealed in the soft shimmer of pink diamonds. Ultra-feminine, irresistible and seductive.'

The perfume comes in the size 30ml and 50ml. 30ml is £26.50 and the 50ml is £34.50.

Has anyone tried this perfume before? What's your favourite perfume?

Eikc.

Tuesday 4 February 2014

Liebster Award







For those of you who may not have come across this before, the idea is, someone nominates you and asks you 11 questions, you then answer those questions on your blog and nominate people (with 200 followers or less.) It's a great way of finding blogs which should have more followers than they actually do!

Rachel from AMomentInTime kindly nominated me for this, so I just wanted to say thank you for doing so. I've had my blog for just over a month now and I never thought I'd have many people reading my blog so it means a lot. 

Rachel's Questions:
1) Why did you start blogging?

A lot of my free time consisted of reading other peoples blogs and watching YouTube videos and I was always so inspired by them. My friend Libby (LifeofLibby) started her blog around 7/8 months ago and told me how much she loved it and how much fun it was, this further inspired me to start my own blog. 

2) What is your favourite motto?

I wouldn't really say I have one, but I'm quite into karma, so I'll go with 'what goes around comes around'. 

3) If you could change one thing about yourself what would it be and why?

I'm too sensitive and am anxious far too often, making me worry about everything all the time.

4) What was the last dream you had?

I can't really remember to be honest, I just remember my boyfriend being in it.

5) If you had to be trapped in a lift with anyone who would it be?

Probably someone like Will Ferrell or someone who is fun and humorous. 

6) What's your favourite book, film and song?

Book - Hunger Games Series
Film - Wolf of Wall Street
Song - Couldn't pick just one!

7) How do you relax?

I relax by lighting some of my favourite candles, listening to spotify and reading blogs/watching YouTube videos.

8) What's your favourite season?

Spring or Autumn.

9) Lipstick or Mascara? 

As much as I love lipstick, I think I'd have to pick mascara.

10) What advice do you have for bloggers just starting out?

Try and be yourself, don't think too much about how many followers you have because its a slow process. Don't just follow loads of random blogs just to get followers back, write about things you'd like to see if you were the reader.

11)What's at the top of your bucket list?

Check out my current wish list:
http://chandlernotbing.blogspot.co.uk/2014/01/make-up-my-current-beauty-wants.html

I nominate: ( I apologise if you've already been nominated by someone else. )

- thatgirlcalledlauren.blogspot.co.uk
- greywalls94.blogspot.co.uk
- thegirlsnextdooruk.blogspot.com
- littlethingssheloves.blogspot.co.uk


My Questions:

1) Favourite perfume?
2) Straighteners or curlers?
3) 5 beauty products you couldn't live without?
4) How did you get into blogging?
5) Which blogs inspire you the most?
6) Blush or bronzer?
7) High street or high end make up?
8) Favourite nail polish brand?
9) Favourite place to shop?
10) How long does it usually take you to get ready on a day to day basis?
11) One singer/band you'd love to see in concert?


Eikc.

Monday 3 February 2014

Nails | Going Out









Every so often I enjoy going out to town and hitting the clubs. In preparation for the night out, it is essential I have my nails painted as I feel it completes the outfit. These 5 would be my top picks.

From left to right:

Rimmel 60 Seconds - 315 Ready Aim Paint. - £2.69
Models Own - Mystic Mauve. - £5.00
Barry M Nail Paint - Gold Glitter - £3.99
Barry M Nail Paint - Amethyst Glitter  - £3.99
Barry M Nail Paint - Diamond Glitter - £3.99


Ready Aim Paint is one of the 60 seconds nail polishes by Rimmel. I wouldn't agree that it takes just 60 seconds to dry, but it definitely does dry fast. The colour is a classic bold red, perfect for a night out. The colour tends to last around 4-5 days if applied with a topcoat.

Mystic Mauve is a dusty pink foil finish nail polish, it's incredibly pigmented and applies smoothly. After only 1 or 2 coats it is fully opaque. Post application it makes the nails look super shiny.

I love Barry M glitter nail polishes, they're such great value for money. I usually need to apply about 3/4 coats depending on the colour. Amethyst Glitter is a mix of turquoise, purple, gold, pink and black small hexagonal glitter which is suspended in a clear base. Diamond glitter consists of different sizes of holographic glitter with micro fine glitter all in a clear base. This colour would be perfect to apply on top of another colour or just on its own. Applying on top of another colour requires less coats to create a sparkly effect. These polishes are fast drying and last up to a week. My only complaint would be that they are so hard to remove! I feel I have to properly scrub my nails for ages with nail polish remover to get every last bit off.

What's your favourite nail polishes to wear on a night out?

Eikc.


Saturday 1 February 2014

Issues | 'Why are you so skinny?'

Hi everyone!

This post was inspired by two of my house mates, both who would be classed as 'skinny'. We were examining the stigma towards being skinny and the discussion which developed I found deeply interesting.

There is a question that within society gets brought up time and time again, 'why are you so skinny?', personally I think is quite insulting. What right do people have to criticise an individuals weight? The same question would be asked.. 'why are you so fat?', that wouldn't be a socially acceptable question so why should it be acceptable to pick out someone who is skinny? There might be reasons why they are skinny, it might be due to their high metabolism or their smaller bone structure or perhaps they have an eating disorder. If in fact they do have an eating disorder, they already will have a negative body image of themselves, so why would you want to implant that thought into their mind any further? If anything, it is just plain rude and insensitive.

You shouldn't need to ask people why their body is the way it is, it isn't necessary. It can deeply affect their self-esteem and confidence. It isn't fair making people feel conscious about their body image. As long as the person is happy and healthy then why should they have to change? If they had an issue and weren't happy, then they themselves would address the problem. If however, it is someone who wouldn't be able to address the problem themselves (perhaps someone who has an eating disorder) and you're worried them, then they are ways of addressing it in a more sensitive manner. The way you communicate this is very important.

The word 'skinny' I feel is quite offensive, it comes across as being negative. The term 'thin' I'd class as more appropriate. If in fact you're trying to compliment someone, make sure you think about the way you say it so that you don't offend that person.  For example, 'you look SO skinny'. This could be interpretated the wrong way and upset that person. A better approach would be, 'your body is looking really good!', conveying the same message but in a more positive way.

Another issue which I find unfair is comments like 'you shouldn't have lost weight, you looked so much better before'. What if before that individual was a healthy weight but was completely unfit and couldn't run up and down the stairs without being out of breath? What if now they feel more comfortable and have more confidence? As long as they are healthy and happy, why does it matter? It appears there are people who they themselves have low self-esteem and feel better by expressing negative comments about another individual to make themselves feel better, that in itself isn't healthy.

The moral of the story is that everyone is different. If everyone was the same then our world would be a boring place.

Eikc.




Thursday 30 January 2014

Lifestyle | My Room at Uni

Hi everyone!

The one word which people always describe me as is QUIRKY. Many of my friends have said this is reflected in my room. I thought today I'd show you a few things in my room as I'm pretty happy with how I've decorated it as it perfectly reflects my personality. A lot of things have been given to me by my Mum or friends who know me to an absolute 't'. 


My wall I found was quite bare and as we aren't allowed to paint it, I thought I'd brighten up the room by putting up some wrapping paper. I got this particular paper from paper chase. 

You can get a better idea of my bedding here:
 http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/9133064.htm




These two canvases were beautifully painted by one of my best friends as a birthday present. Each year she paints me a new canvas. I love how sentimental they are and the detail that she puts in. (Sorry about the poor lighting on some of those images.) 


These are my pretty little fairy lights I have hanging across one of my walls. They were a house warming present from my Mum, they look great in the evenings when I have all my lights off. I think they are a set of 20 or 25 and were from Next. 


This was another cute thing that my Mum sent me, the quote is by Edward Monkton and definitely reflects my personality. I keep this on my desk as it is very sentimental to me.


I am a massive lover of food, so this box is perfect for me when I want something that I 'shouldn't eat'. I really like the concept of it and think it looks unique sitting on my shelf.



This is a little box that I got given by a friend for my birthday, it's perfect for keeping hair ties and bobby pins in as I seem to find I always lose them. I sometimes wonder whether my floor just eats them all up!


This was a little night light my Mum sent me last week, I love the pattern and looks super cute in my room. She knows me way too well.


Those are a few of things I particularly love in my room.
If you'd like me to write a post on a particular thing let me know in the comments section.

Eikc. 

Tuesday 28 January 2014

Lifestyle | Self Image & Body Confidence

Hi everyone!

I know I've already written a post today but I really wanted to do a lifestyle post and address the topic of self image and body confidence. For girls growing up there is intense pressure to be and look a certain way, but why? As long as your healthy and happy with your own weight, why does it matter if you're not a size zero?

The society we are currently live in idolises celebrities and their lifestyle. We become addicted to how they look, and what they do to look that way. We've all been there, searching for a new diet to try out to quickly lose the pounds, but realistically these 'fad diets' won't permanently keep off the weight and will cause your body more damage than it's worth. The key thing is be healthy, each individuals 'healthy weight' differs and it involves looking at your height, gender, bone structure and metabolism. Therefore its impossible to compare yourself to other people and worry that you might not be as thin as them. As long as your confident within yourself then others will see it too.

If people comment about your appearance or body weight, take a good look at yourself in the mirror and ask yourself are YOU happy with yourself and the way you look and feel? Nobody else's opinion matters but your own. Only you know how you feel and only you can help yourself if you're not happy with what you see.

Why should we feel the need to all look the same? Essentially our appearance reflects the person we are on the inside and we express this through clothing, make up, hair, piercings etc. One thing I love about being a Brightonian is the diversity of people, personally I think its refreshing, they have nocare in the world what other people think about them and they themselves are confident with who they are. Something I think a lot of people struggle with. With the fashion world, there is always something for everyone, we buy things we feel confident in and that coordinates with our personality. If someone else doesn't like a piece of clothing that we wear, should we stop wearing it? The answer is no, as long as you like it, who cares what anyone else thinks. There is bound to be others out there who share the same taste as you.

The point I'm trying to get across is that we should be confident in ourselves and realise everyone has flaws. No one is perfect.

Body confidence is a struggle for many and this is something the media still needs to address, particularly within the modelling world. The photos we are presented with aren't realistic and are photo shopped in order for the model to look perfect and desirable. The video linked below I feel perfectly demonstrates this and carries an important message on self image.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hibyAJOSW8U

Eikc.


Bodycare | Soap & Glory's Sugar Crush Body Scrub

Hi everyone!

Today I'm going to be sharing my views on the 'Sugar Crush' body scrub by Soap & Glory.


The main ingredients in this product are; brown sugar, lime, almond oil and macadamia grains. The lime and the sugar gives the product a sweet yet refreshing smell.

Almond oil is great for the skin, this is due to it being a rich source of vitamin E. It also contains vitamin D as well as containing other nutritional components. Almond oil has many beauty and health benefits, a few include; deeply moisturising the skin, nourishing the skin making it soft and smooth. It additionally improves complexion and retains glow.

Brown sugar is a great natural exfoliator and has many benefits. Because of the smaller particles in brown sugar, it is softer on the skin, meaning it can be used for those who have sensitive skin. It's also great at scrubbing away dead skin cells making way for healthier skin.

The use of macadamia is known to be great in relation to haircare and skincare. This is due to it deeply penetrating the skin. It is known to help the elasticity of the skin as well as preventing stretch marks.

I think this product is great, after using it my skin feels replenished, moisturised and makes it feel really soft. The price tag for this scrub is £8.00 and for the amount of product you get I think it is very affordable. I tend to use this product once or twice a week, as it isn't necessary to exfoliate your skin everyday.

Have you tried out this product?

If your interested in a DIY lip scrub please check out my friend Life of Libby:

http://www.lifeoflibby.co.uk/2013/06/diy-sugar-lip-scrub.html


Eikc.

Sunday 26 January 2014

Makeup | My Current Beauty Wants

Hi everyone!

Today has been a bit of a lazy day sat in bed and watching films, however I couldn't help but browse online for products that I'd love to try out. Being a student however, means the likelihood of being able to afford these products is slim, I can dream though.. right?



Anyone who has tried these products out, PLEASE comment and tell me what you think of them, I'd be really interested to know your thoughts. Also if you know of products similar to these which are cheaper, please let me know as the majority these products are quite expensive.

1) Mac's Mineralize Skin Finish - £22.00
My skin type is oily, so when I apply powder I find after a few hours my face becomes really shiny. I've read good reviews for this product and that it is long lasting and mattifies the face.

2) Barry M's Gelly Hi-Shine in Guava - £3.99
I've always been impressed by the Gelly Hi-Shines, personally I think Barry M is one of the better brands for nail varnish in terms of the formula and how long it lasts for, in particular the Gelly Hi-Shines. It applies opaque so only one or two coats need to be applied in order to achieve the desired effect . They also come in a wide range of colours. I currently own Lychee, Prickly Pear and Blueberry, all such pretty shades! The collection is affordable which is always a bonus.

3) Nars' Laguna Bronzer - £26.00
This product is definitely on the steeper side in terms of price, it's almost unjustifiable for me to buy it. However I've heard such good reviews, so I'm confused to whether or not its worth the price! It's such a pretty colour and claims to give a subtle glow with its golden shimmer.

4) Mac's Soft & Gentle Highlighter - £22.00
I've recently seen this product on one of Sprinkle of Glitter's videos and I fell in love. It's such a beautiful shade, a peachy bronze colour. It looks like the perfect highlighter!

5) Mac's Studio Finish Concealer - £15.00
I've heard great reviews for this product, it seems the Studio finish line provides full coverage so this product would be perfect for any blemishes or under eye circles. Saying this I don't think I could justify spending £15 on this concealer as the concealer by Collection I think is just as good but it's a fraction of the price.

6) Benefit's They're Real Mascara - £19.50 
My friend Amy recomended this mascara to me and showed me the effect it gave. Although she already had long lashes there was a clear difference once she had applied it. Her lashes looked so nice after. Although this mascara is quite expensive I think that it would definitely be worth trying out!

7) Urban Decay's Naked 2 palette - £37.00
I know I know.. £37.00, but it is SO worth it, I once had this palette but sadly lost it. I have been dying to get my hands on another but they are so popular and are usually always sold out in most places. The palette has the most gorgeous neutral shades, three matte, the rest shimmer. You can create both daytime and night time looks from this palette and every colour is so wearable.

8) Benefit's POREfessional Primer - £24.50
I've heard way too many good reviews for this product and how it makes a big difference when applying makeup! Being voted the UK's best selling primer how could I ignore this product?!

9) Sleek's Blush Palette in Californ.i.a- £9.99
I've always loved sleek's blushes, but the fact you get three blushes for just under £10 I think it is a bargain. They are great quality and surprisingly have good pigmentation. I've read these cream blushers are easy to blend and last a long time on the skin. The three colours in the palette are; Newport Peach, The Surf and OC. Newport beach is an orange toned coral, The Surf is a pale peach with a golden shimmer and the OC is a pink toned coral.

What are your current beauty wants?

Eikc.

Friday 24 January 2014

Makeup | Perfect lipstick for Spring.

I remember the day I bought this lipstick last year and how excited I was to try it out. I haven't really used it much over the winter period because I much prefer darker colours during this time. However, with Spring only round the corner I have already placed it back in my day to day make up bag.

This is the Max Factor lipstick in 'English Rose' priced at £6.99.


As you can see from the photo, the colour is a beautiful pink with silver shimmer. I think its such a feminine colour and is so easy to wear on a day to day basis, but also great to wear on a night out if you have quite heavy eye make up (smoky eye). The lipstick itself is moisturising, however doesn't last as long as I had hoped. I'd say if you were eating and drinking, you'd have to reapply the lipstick to keep up the colour. However, this doesn't bother me too much as I'd happily quickly reapply it throughout the day.


For me I don't think the colour is as full on as other lipsticks because of the shimmer. In that respect I'd say it reminds me of Revlon's lip butters because of their glossiness and that they give a subtle colour rather than being bold. I'm definitely looking forward to being able to start wearing this colour again, I think its definitely affordable and when I run out I will be repurchasing without a doubt.

What is your favourite Spring lipstick?

Eikc.

Wednesday 22 January 2014

Makeup | Kate Moss Lipsticks

Kate Moss lipsticks are loved by so many, for the colour range, for the pigmentation and for being affordable. As well as owning these two, (08 on the left and 01 on the right) I also own 107. I personally have mixed reviews on these lipsticks. 



Whilst I do agree they do have a good colour range I haven't been particularly excited by 01. First off, I think 01 is too bright for my skin colour, my own fault, so for this reason I wouldn't repurchase it. I find it quite hard to apply due to the colour being so bold, so applying it precisely is quite difficult. Perhaps using a lip brush would make it easier. I've found its quite transferable which effects the overall appearance of it. As a result I have had to reapply it frequently. It smudges very easily so if you're on a night out, it is a product I would not recommend. Even after blotting a few times I still find the colour bleeds.

I feel similar towards 107, however I do love the colour, it comes out as a rich wine colour and is perfect  for the colder months. This one is more of a matte colour. I don't find it dries my lips out, in general I think it's quite moisturising. It's definitely a build able colour, if you're looking for less of a bold colour you could apply less, blot or even use a lipbrush to control how much product you are using. Whilst I am in set in my ways in my opinion on 01, I want to give this product another try as I know so many people love this shade and rave about it being a great lipstick. 

I love the shade 08. I think it resembles Max Factor's English Rose, however there are some differences as 08 is a matte colour and English Rose has more of a shine and has a silver shimmer in it. I'd say this is a great day to day colour and that it would look pretty with a neutral eye. 

What's your opinions on Kate Moss lipsticks?

Eikc. 

Tuesday 21 January 2014

Help: Skin care

Hi everyone!

So I think its safe to say I am a skin care noob. I'm embarrasingly one of the those people who use make up wipes to remove my make up at night then go straight to bed. Saying that though, since Christmas I have got into using the Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish which I love! I also moisturise my face daily using the Simple Light Moisturiser.

I need some help on recommending some effective high street skin products to establish a better skin care routine. Any suggestions would be much appreciated!

I currently use the Loreal True Match Foundation, but am looking to try out another drug store one. So any suggestions on that also would be handy.

Eikc.

Monday 20 January 2014

'Pamper Evening'

Hi everyone!

After a long stressful week of being a student I like to treat myself with a pamper evening at the weekend. However, because of the exam period at the moment it has to be a quick session!

I like to start by having a shower and using the TRESemme Thermal Recovery Treatment Masque. As I dye my hair every few months, I like to make sure I keep it in good condition. This masque is very hydrating and leaves my hair feeling very soft and healthy. It is great to use if like me you often use heat on your hair. I leave the masque on my hair for about five minutes then wash it out.



I then moisturise my skin with the Palmer's 'Intensive Relief body lotion'. It definitely does the job of hydrating your skin leaving it soft, however it has quite a greasy consistency and I find it takes a while to dry making it a bit awkward. One thing I particularly like is the scent being cocoa butter! I would love to try a new body moisturiser so if you have any favourites that you use please leave a comment below! 




I then move onto my face. I like to use my 'Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish'. It has definitely been a revolutionary product in the skincare world. It's great for all skin types and all ages. Its perfect for taking off any left over make up, including the hard to remove products like waterproof mascara. The cleanser itself is very creamy and is plant based. It consists of two steps, as the product suggests, it involves both cleansing and polishing the skin. The polishing step works by using the muslin cloth which comes with the product. It removes any dead skins cells that might be there and exfoliates your face, leaving it feeling very clean!




During the exam period my skin tends to break out more due to stress so I like to use a face masque. The one I have lying around currently is the 'Montagne Jeunesse Anti Stress Chocolate Masque'. I think I seem to be going with the theme of chocolate smelling products in this post! I tend to leave it on between 10-15 minutes, basically until the masque has set. Then I just wash it off with warm water. My favourite masque by this brand is the peeling off ones. Weirdly I find it quite satisfying peeling it all off after! This masque is great for unblocking pores, allowing any impurities you may have to be drawn out. 



To lock in the moisture I apply a small amount of Simple's 'Kind To Skin Hydrating Light Moisturiser'. I think this is a great moisturiser and doesn't leave the skin feeling greasy after application. What's great is that its perfect for sensitive skin which is fab for me as some skincare products can be too harsh for my skin. 


I then finish off with my nails. As I already have my nails done, I like to prolong them as long as possible. To do this I use CND's 'Solar Oil Nail and Cuticle Conditioner'. This was something my Mum introduced me to and it definitely does make a difference on how long my nails last. I apply it to the cuticles and nails every day, what it does is it penetrates and protects the nail and cuticle area, making the nail stronger and keeping them healthy. I actually really like the almond scent of this product. The product itself is made of a range of different oils and also includes Vitamin E. 



That's it for my pamper evening as I have to get straight back to revision!

What does your pamper session consist of?
Let me know as I'd be really interested to know.

Eikc. 

Saturday 18 January 2014

Topic of controversy


I think the topic of whether private school is better than state school is a controversial topic. Having gone to a public school I definitely don't feel I have missed out on anything by not attending private school.

liverpool.tab.co.uk/2014/01/17/why-private-schools-are-better/

I came across this article written by an individual at the University of Bristol expressing her views on private school in relation to state school and how'd she'd prefer not to go to school with the "yobbos" at state schools. According to her article, "some things only money can buy - and a good education is one of them." Whilst I understand private schools have smaller classrooms to achieve greater one to one interaction I don't think its fair to say that individuals who attend public school won't gain a good education. What amused me most was how she stated that private schools receive higher grades than state schools then concluded it was because "they are cleverer", irony at its best.
Whilst my school did not have "stables and squash courts" like these apparent private schools, I still believe I learnt important life lessons such as "leadership" and "being a team player". There were plenty of other activities I could partake in to learn the same lessons..

In my opinion it comes down to how much the individual wants it to whether or not they will gain success. A student at a state school has just as much of an equal chance of knowing someone who can introduce them to an opportunity to a student at private school.  I believe some individuals can benefit from having private education due to whatever the circumstance may be, however something which always irritates me up is the narrow mindedness of individuals who believe in order to gain good education you must possess the class of an elitist.

Eikc.

Friday 17 January 2014

What I do to unwind.

Around this time of year, I tend to become very stressed so there are now a few things I like to do in order to unwind.




Candles. And lots of them. I like to turn off the main light and have the side light on with all my candles lit. It makes the room feel a lot calmer. 


I've recently got on the Spotify premium bandwagon (a few years late) and have subscribed to a months free subscription which I have so far thoroughly enjoyed. As soon as the month finishes I'm going to subscribe to the student deal of £4.99 per month for Spotify premium. I've made a playlist of chilled songs that I like to listen to, including; Mumford & Sons, Temper Trap, Bombay Bicycle Club etc. 

If I'm not listening to music I love watching Criminal Minds or New Tricks. Anything to do with crime I love watching. 

What do you do when you want to relax?

Eikc.

Monday 13 January 2014

Baking #1 - White Chocolate Cookies.

Hi everyone!

I thought I'd share one of my favourite baking recipes! I constantly bake when I'm at home from Uni and stumbled across this recipe for white chocolate cookies. They were very popular in my household and I was told to make them again ASAP.

I had originally found the recipe online by Nigella Lawson, however I slightly changed the recipe myself! 

Things you will need:




Firstly weigh out your margarine, sugar and syrup, place in a bowl and sit it over a pan of boiling water.



Wait for it to melt, then remove off heat. Then add the egg to the mixture and stir. Put aside.

Next measure out the dry ingredients, the baking powder, the flour and a pinch of salt. Here you can get away with adding a few drops of vanilla extract in as well. Add the dry ingredients to the bowl of the wet ingredients and again stir. 


Put the bowl in the fridge to chill for about half an hour. At this point set your oven to 175 degrees Celsius and put baking parchment on a tray ready for the cookies to go on. After the mixture has chilled in the fridge, take it out and add the chocolate (chocolate should be cut into small chunks). 



Spoon tablespoons of the mixture onto the prepared tray, making sure to leave space for them to grow in size. Make sure you gently push down on the top of the cookie before you put it in the oven.

Place in oven for a total of 12 minutes, check the cookies after five minutes making sure you turn the tray around. These cookies are meant to be soft and squidgy and will harden a bit when cooled. Before you place them on a rack to cool, leave them a few minutes so they don't fall apart when you try and transport them.


And there we have it, massive tasty white chocolate chip cookies. Recipes makes about 9.
Let me know if you like the baking posts!

Eikc.

Saturday 11 January 2014

Yankee Candles.


I've always wanted to buy a Yankee Candle, but what always gets me is how expensive they are. Are they infact worth the price? I decided to opt for the small candle, and it was around the £5-6 mark, because it was one of those ones which had been opened for people to smell. The other small candles were amount the £8 mark. I was drawn to the clean cotton smell in particular and am now obsessed with lighting it whilst I do revision. It has such a fresh smell and definitely makes the room you're in more homely. Although I loved it, I am a student and am on a budget so will experiment with different brands. I'll be sad when I've finished this candle, though I think they're great for a present for someone.

What's your favourite brand of candle? 

Eikc.


Tuesday 7 January 2014

New Year Resolutions.

Hi everyone and happy 2014 to you all,

I thought for my own benefit it might be nice to try and think of a few New Years resolutions. 2013 was a mixed year for me, both good and bad things occurred. I'm hoping 2014 brings a bit more positivity and good luck.

The first thing I want to do is to stay motivated in my academic work. I'm a Psychology student and although it is interesting, I often lose interest and motivation in terms of studying.

The second thing is to stay positive regardless of the bad things that may happen in day to day life and to remember things will get better. 

The third thing is to motivate myself to keep up this blog, a lot of hobbies I start, I often leave behind after a short amount of time. I want this blog to be something I can be proud of and for it to become a hobby of mine so that I can add to it whilst procrastinating from work. 

What were your New Years resolutions?

Eikc.