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Saturday, 31 May 2014

BRAND WEEK | Affordable hair care with John Frieda


If I'm ever in need of an affordable hair care product, this first brand I'll always look at? John Frieda. As a brand, I trust them - they seem to know their stuff - and their range is incredibly extensive. Recently, the Frizz Ease range has had a bit of a make over and at first, I wasn't that keen on the packaging. But after trying a few products out, I've found them all splashed across my dressing table...

John Frieda Frizz-Ease Go Curlier Heat-Activated Spray* - £6.99
As someone with naturally poker straight hair who loves a bit curl and wave, I covet curling sprays. I'm always on the lookout for the perfect one and this one is nice, but sadly still not perfect. You use it on wet hair (around 10-16 sprays is recommended), blow dry with a diffuser and finish with curling tongs. It leaves my hair looking nice, and holds the style for a couple of hours longer than it would usually stay. 

John Frieda Frizz Ease Original Strength 6 Effects Serum* - £6.29 
Oh this serum is something else. I'm used to using serums as the finishing step in my hair care routine, but this is supposed to be used on wet hair. At first, I didn't know how it was going to react with my hair, but after one use I realised how incredible this product is. It eliminates frizz, leaves the hair feeling silky soft and looking glossy and also resist humidity, which is absolute perfection. I just can't find a fault in this product, it's truly lovely.

John Frieda Frizz-Ease Nourishing Oil Elixir* - £9.99
I do love my oils and this is no exception. In all honesty, I can't tell the difference between Moroccanoil's, L'Oreal's and this one's offering (they all leave the hair beautifully soft and nourished), but the reason I prefer this to the other two I've tried is because of the bottle. I'm someone who moves around a lot; uni, friends, home etc. And this one is perfect for travelling as it comes in a plastic bottle with a pump lid. No mess and no breakages. 

BRAND WEEK:

Have you tried anything from this brand before?
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Thursday, 29 May 2014

BRAND WEEK | Affordable skin care with Clean & Clear






Since my teenage years, spot-fighting brands have come a long way. I tried them all back in the day, and none of them actually helped my spots properly, instead they completely dried my skin out. Regardless, Clean & Clear is a brand that I've loved, especially when it comes to their face washes. Their Deep Action Cream Wash and Clear & Soothe Foaming Wash were pleasures to use; did the job but gently. I've been trying out two newbies from the brand recently...

Clean & Clear Blackhead Clearing 2-in-1 Wash & Mask* - £4.49 (currently on offer for £3.29)
I absolutely love face washes that can also be used as face masks. I find them wonderful for leaving on for a couple of minutes at night whilst I proceed to brush my teeth. This one is no exception. An oil-free daily wash, this product aims to remove dirt and impurities and reduce blackheads. For the past few months I've had a nose full of blackheads and nothing has shifted them, but after two days worth of use, this face wash eliminated them, and they haven't come back since.

Clean & Clear Truly Gentle 3-in-1 Facial Wipes 25 Wipes* - £3.05 (currently on offer for £2.16)
I'm not a face wipe fan. I'm a true believer in the double cleanse, so face wipes go against everything I believe in. But I always have a packet in my collection. That's because some nights, a face wipe is what you need. And as far as face wipes go, these are some of the best ones I've tried. They're suitable for sensitive skin and and the skin is left feeling nourished and as soft as a baby's. They remove every single trace of make up - even waterproof mascara - and I've loved using them. My new favourites.

BRAND WEEK:

Have you tried anything from this range before?
*PR Sample
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Tuesday, 27 May 2014

BRAND WEEK | freshskin by Elemis






As I've been trying out a few different brands over the past few months, I've decided that each post this week will focus on a particular brand (John Frieda, Clean & Clear, Rodial and Elemis) and the products that I've been loving - and not loving so much - from them. First up is the freshskin range from Elemis, a brand I've never explored before. The freshskin range is targeted at young skin, doesn't contain any unnecessary anti-anging ingredients and helps to construct a great, healthy skin care routine. I'm all about promoting healthy skin and a good skin care routine from a young age, so I was extremely intrigued by this range.

This skin pampering duo contains three 7ml sachets of the Deep Clean Purifying Facial Mask and three 7ml sachets of the Magicial Moisture Quenching Face Mask. I managed to get two uses out of each sachets (and I have a big head!) and this is my only complaint. I'd rather have 12 smaller sachets as I'm someone who hates the look of opened sachets.

But putting that little tiny niggle aside, the two face masks themselves are absolute gems. The Deep Clean mask reblances the skin and uses natural clays, goji berry extract and frankincense oil to draw out impurities and vitamin E to soften the skin. This mask really is a lovely clay mask. My skin was left looking brighter and balanced and my pores were reduced, all without drying my skin out.

The Magical Moisture mask injects an instant moisture boost into the skin and uses white lupin, artic cranberry seed oil and apple extract to instantly moisturise the skin, while aloe vera soothes it. This mask truly is a pampering treat. After using it, my skin was left looking radiant and plump and feeling soft. As I have combination skin, moisturising masks normally leave my dry areas moisturised and my oily areas shiny, but this one balanced the skin out beautifully.

After one use, this eye cream instantly found its way into my skin care routine. I've been using this every morning to de-puff my eyes and leave them looking bright and awake. This eye cream uses aloe vera to soothe the delicate eye area and give an instant cooling and hydrating effect. I found this eye cream (well, it's more like a gel) wonderful during the late nights of my dissertation and final assignments. I adore it.

I absolutely love night creams and this one is no exception. It's been specially formulated with vitamins A, C and E and helps to promote and improve skin radiance whilst sleeping. The blackcurrant seed oil and barley extract both work together to refine the skin's texture and increase the smoothness. This moisturiser is literally a facial in a bottle. I go to sleep looking like a zombie and wake up looking like I've had the most perfect night's sleep. It also has a beautiful, calming scent which is perfect for aiding a good night's sleep.

Overall, I've been loving the freshskin range. The entire range contains no nasties and is perfect for those in their teens and 20's. It promotes a healthy skin care routine which during the early years of our lives, is extremely important. Whilst searching FeelUnique, I also noticed their wonderful little sets. I'm planning on buying one for my holiday in July, so if you have any recommendations please do let me know!

BRAND WEEK:

Have you tried anything from this range before?
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Sunday, 25 May 2014

May Favourites









Oh my lord, can you believe it's almost June?! It seems like just yesterday I was starting my final year at university, and now I'm completely finished. How strange. But oh well, just one month now until my holiday which I'm ridiculously excited for. Beauty wise, this month has been a good 'un. I've discovered quite a few new products and with the sun finally showing its face, it's allowed me to experiment a little bit more.

I've spoken about this blush before, and I doubt that this will be the last you'll hear of it. Let's start with the packaging; it's beautiful and I'm definitely not ashamed to have it in my collection. It also has a lovely vanilla scent (that isn't transferred onto the skin) which adds a nice luxe feel to the blush. Lasting power is outstanding, pigmentation is incredible, price is affordable and the colour instantly perks up my skin.

I've been loving fake tanning my skin recently, I just feel better with a bit of a glow and it also helps to perfect my skin, meaning my make up-less face isn't so terrifying. This tanner by Xen-Tan instantly creates a healthy, natural looking glow that nourishes the skin and develops into a beautiful golden colour. I'm funny with face tanners as I have combination skin, but this one is lightweight yet creamy and easy to apply and blend. 

The swatch of this lipstick is a little bit off as I think it's lighter than the swatch appears. This lipstick feels a lot more expensive than it actually is. The packaging isn't the greatest, but it does the job. The colour is beautiful - think Barbie-pink - and looks stunning with a bit of a tan. Lasting power isn't the best, but the formula itself is incredible. It's creamy and glides onto the lips, leaving behind a gorgeous full-looking pout that's left feeling nourished. 

With the beautiful weather the UK has been blessed with for a few weeks of this month, it was almost inevitable that an SPF was going to feature in this month's favourites. I spoke about Rodial's offering the other day and I stand by everything I said. It's an SPF moisturiser that's also a skin care product. It treats and corrects the skin whilst protecting it and preventing further damage, it's absolute perfection. It's also lightweight on the skin and smells incredible. I can't find a fault!

This month, I rediscovered my all-time favourite foundation. You see, I'd started trying out other foundations so this one got neglected for a while. But now, it's back and the others don't stand a chance. Lightweight yet full on coverage, this foundation is perfect for those who love a flawless base. It's easy to blend and lasts incredibly well throughout the day. What's more, it's extremely affordable and in my opinion, the absolute best foundation out there. I've gone through tubes of the stuff and I have two more back ups.

Dr Organic Virgin Olive Oil Foot & Heel Cream* - £6.49 (currently £4.87)
I have two foot products in this month's favourites and that's because I've recently bought some new sandals. I've ditched the boots and decided to get my tootsies out, and after a dry winter, they've needed a bit of assistance. This foot cream is an absolute gem. It contains Virgin Olive Oil which is deeply moisturising and nourishing. One thing I usually hate about foot creams is how long they take to sink into the skin, but this one is almost instant. After one use, my heels and cracked areas looked immediately better.

With the amount of swatching my nails see, it's no wonder they haven't fallen off yet. I was recommended this by a customer at work who absolutely swore by it. I decided to invest after I realised my nails were starting to look extremely shabby. It promises longer, stronger and harder nails in two weeks and after two weeks, I've definitely seen an improvement. You apply one coat on the first day of the first week and then a second coat the day after. On day seven you remove the product and repeat the steps on the 2nd week.

My second foot care product in this month's favourite is this ergonomically designed heel smoother. I've tried a lot of different electrical feet shavers in my time and this one has wiped them all out. It comes with two different heads to "shave" and buff dead skin away, leaving behind beautifully soft skin. It also comes complete with six replacement buffing discs. I've been absolutely loving this product. It looks incredible on my desk and does a wonderful job at smoothing my feet.

What have been your favourite products to use this month?
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Friday, 23 May 2014

HOW TO | Naturally whiten your teeth with BlanX




It won't be long before I get my braces removed, so I've been trialling a few teeth whitening products to hopefully restore the whiteness of my smile. After all, there's no point in having beautifully straight teeth that are stained. The BlanX White Shock range contains the patented active ingredient, ActiluX, which reacts to light and naturally whitens the teeth for 24 hours. So basically, the more you smile, the whiter your teeth become!

This pen is tiny and perfect for on the go touch ups. You simply apply the product directly onto teeth with the soft top of the pen. Leave the product on for 15 minutes, brush your teeth and repeat the application twice a day for 2 weeks. Although the stains weren't noticeably removed from teeth, my smile did feel brighter after the two weeks was up. I didn't feel any sensitivity and this is a product I'll be continuing to use after I have my teeth professionally whitened (hopefully). It's affordable, effective and portable.

I do love me a good mouthwash and this one promises to break down dirty particles to restore the natural whiteness of teeth. It contains an antibacterial action which leaves your mouth feeling refreshed all day. The taste is quite strong, much stronger than I'm used to, but I didn't find it particularly unpleasant and the fresh mint aroma lasts well throughout the day.

What products do you use to whiten your teeth?
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Wednesday, 21 May 2014

The SPF wardrobe


Sun protection is a beauty product that is incredibly important to me. No matter where I am, what I'm doing or what the season is, I'll always have some form of SPF on my face - whether it's in my moisturiser, foundation or a standalone sun protection. The sun's rays are extremely dangerous and as well as increasing your risk of skin cancer, they also age the skin a lot. As someone with dark spots and scars, it's important that I protect my skin on a daily basis. As the UK has been heating up, I've been switching between two SPFs...

Rodial X-Treme Dark Spot Sun Filter SPF 30* - £45
This sun protection is pricey but there's a reason for this; it's also a skin care product. After 30 days, this SPF promises to brighten the skin and with continued use, correct sun damage, increase radiance and even out skin tone. This SPF is a sunscreen moisturiser so it's what I reach for if my skin is in need of a bit more moisture. It's easily absorbed and helps to mattify shine whilst hydrating the skin. I also find that this provides an instant "blurring" effect to my skin when it's applied and makes pores appear reduced. Despite the high price tag, it's a product I know I'll be repurchasing as it's helped my skin no end. It treats and corrects my skin whilst protecting it and preventing further damage; perfection.

As far as sunscreen goes, this one has to be the most lightweight one I've ever tried. It's so lightweight that you don't have to massage it into the skin - it simply disappears. A lot of people seem to dislike the packaging but I think it's simple, clean and great for throwing in your bag for daytime touch ups. The SPF is instantly mattifying and I use this when I'm having a particularly oily skin day. The only problem I have with this is I think that it interferes with certain foundations. I'm still testing this "theory" out though and I'll keep you updated. 

What sun protection do you use on your face? Are you religious with it?
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Monday, 19 May 2014

FRAGRANCE | Signoria by Salvatore Ferragamo



Perfume is one of those beauty products that "completes" me. If I ever walk out of the house without it, I feel naked. This little 5ml bottle of wonder is one that I'm having to force myself to stop wearing as I want to take it on holiday with me in July. The Salvatore Ferragamo Signorina Eau de Parfum* is truly beautiful. Elegant is a word that springs to mind when I have a whiff of this. The head notes of grapefruit and pear, the heart of almond powder and golden osmanthus and the base notes of patchouli and white leather balance this fragrance out incredibly well. It's quite a grown up scent, but not in a nasty way at all. It's one that I'd personally wear at night time due to its strength as it's an EDP. The scent is the powerful - but not overpowering - that I can smell it while writing this as I have the lid off the bottle. At £42 for a 30ml bottle (£60 for a 50ml and £81 for a 100ml), this fragrance doesn't come cheap. But it lasts wonderfully on the skin and makes me feel feminine, classy and dare I say it? Sexy.

What's your favourite grown up fragrance?
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Saturday, 17 May 2014

Eliminating and preventing ingrown hairs


I know, not the most glamorous subjects, is it? But regardless, I'm someone that sadly gets quite a few ingrown hairs. And if you're a member of the ingrown hair club like myself, then you'll know how horribly painful they can be; not to mention that they certainly don't look pretty. I've been really focusing on minimising the amount of ingrown hairs on my body recently and since religiously using this routine, they've almost disappeared altogether.

I start by applying a small amount of the Boots Smooth Care Ingrowing Hair Minimiser - £9.25 to my legs a few hours before I know I'm going to be shaving. This gel uses AHA's to gently exfoliate the skin and prevent new ingrown hairs from forming. It also contains Chamomile and Honey which help to soothe and nourish the skin. I also apply this after shaving to calm the skin down and help prevent ingrown hairs further. To aid with shaving, I use the RazorPit Bump Foam* - £11.95 which is pricey but incredible. Packed with active ingredients, this shaving foam prevents razor burn, razor bumps and ingrown hairs. It contains no parabens, perfume and colourants and can be used on the entire body. The consistency isn't that of a traditional shaving gel/foam, instead it's thin and soap-like which is strange at first, but it works.

Both of these two products together have done a wonderful job at preventing ingrown hair and like I mentioned earlier, it's rare I suffer any more. Both of the products together are pricey, but if you've ever experienced the pain, discomfort and ugliness of ingrown hairs then you'll know that they're without a doubt worth the price tag. I personally know that I'll never go back to traditional shaving foam.

Do you suffer with ingrown hairs?
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Friday, 16 May 2014

One Direction's Where We Are Tour


Now, I'm not going to sit here and pretend to be the biggest One Direction fan in the world. I'm not. Being a massive Britney fan stalker, I know how irritating it can be when people claim to be a bigger fan than you are, despite not knowing their birth weight, exact hair colour shade and every single chart position for every single released song. I am however, a One Direction lover. I don't follow everything they do but I do enjoy their music, have their DVDs and books and constantly ogle over their beautiful faces (particularly Niall, I'm obsessed).

Sadly, when my sister and I were deciding on which concert we were going to book for 2014, we had a difficult choice as three of our favourites were embarking on their tours: Katy Perry, Miley Cyrus and One Direction. We decided on Miley (considering she's my second favourite, after Britney) but have since been upset that we didn't get the opportunity to see One Direction's 'Where We Are' stadium tour, especially since watching their This Is Us DVD.

So that's why I'm entering the National Holiday's competition. No, I'm not the biggest Directioner on the planet, but I sure do love the boys. And I know that this tour is going to go down in history. And despite not getting tickets when they were on sale, it's one that I definitely do not want to miss out on. I know it'll be one of my biggest regrets if I don't get to attend.

Are you going to see One Direction's stadium tour?
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Thursday, 15 May 2014

Hair consultation and style by Aveda in Debenhams, Meadowhall






Yesterday I took a little visit to Meadowhall to sample Aveda's hair consultation and hair style service that they offer in Debenhams. Seeing as I'm now a Meadowhall ambassador, I thought it was about time I drove on the motorway considering I'm going to visiting the centre often. Although I've been driving nearly four years, I've never properly driven on the motorway, so needless to say it was pretty scary. Well, the lorries were anyway (anyone else think they should have their own lane?!) 

I arrived at Aveda and was greeted by a lovely lady and offered a cup of their Tea Ritual. I've only ever had "normal tea" but this caffeine-free herbal blend was surprisingly beautiful. A little tart at first, but soon it was soothing and relaxing. Following this was the hair consultation where I found out that I have fine/flat hair that's dry at the ends but in good condition. The products in the first image are the ones that were recommended to me and I got to have a little play with them - let me tell you this, they smell incredible.

I was then treated to Aveda's Stress-Relieving Hand Ritual which is a mini hand massage. I'd never had a massage before so this really was a lovely surprise. Using the Stress Fix Body Creme (which I can still smell on me now!), I was massaged and left feeling relaxed and uplifted.

After this, I had a mini blow dry and the Damage Remedy Daily Hair Repair, Pure Abundance Style Prep and Phomollient Styling Foam were all applied to my hair beforehand. My hair was left feeling soft and bouncy and the style was held all day. I then had my hair curled which is something that I haven't done since cutting it short. I was incredibly impressed with how it looked and how well the style held throughout the day (and night, when I went out with friends). 

The visit was lovely and I felt all nice and pampered when I left. What surprised me the most was how friendly and kind the sales assistants were. We've all had bad experiences with them, but I was never once pressured into buying anything, and then certainly knew their stuff and what they were talking about. The lady who styled my hair also used to be a hairdresser so you know you're getting a good experience.

I was sent away with beautiful, bouncy hair and a bag filled with goodies, which you can see in the second image above. If you're interested in getting pampered by Aveda in Debenhams, then make sure you book to attend Meadowhall's Ladies' Night on the 29th May. Myself and lots of other bloggers will be there and there will be lots of competitions, discounts and pampering freebies. If this isn't enough, TOWIE's Ferne McCann will be there showcasing her new clothing range and meeting people (I'm incredibly excited for this)!

Will you be attending Ladies' Night?
*the consultation, style and goody bag were provided free of charge for reviewing purposes
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Tuesday, 13 May 2014

Current Favourites




I haven't posted a favourites post in an extremely long time and considering we're pretty much halfway through May, I thought my current favourites would suffice. I've been trying out a few different products recently, investing in quite a few (my last ever student loan, it'd be rude not to) and also rediscovering some gems. Hopefully, monthly favourites is something I'll be able to keep on top of, we'll see...

Schwarzkopf got2b 2 Sexy Volumizing Hairspray - £3.00
I'd say that this is my most repurchased hairspray. It's the one that I always reach for, mainly due to its delicious smell. It does everything that the name suggests; adds volume and keeps it in place for the majority of the day. I don't really 'style' my hair as such, instead I tend to keep it straight so this holds the straight, volumised style nicely. It's also affordable - I just wish they offered a travel sized version.

Rimmel Sunshimmer Instant Tan + BB Perfector Medium Matte - £6.99 (currently £3.49)
I work in the photo/sun shop area at Boots and when I saw that this was half price, I quickly snapped it up. Last year, I was an avid fake tanner however this year, it's taken a backseat. I tried this out for the first time the other night and was amazed. It added a lovely colour and glow, covered all the scars and marks on my legs and was easy to apply; think of it as a foundation for your body.

Soap & Glory Archery Brow Tint and Pencil - £10.00
My favourite eyebrow powders have recently been running low and considering they're in the Naked Basics palette, I wanted to find an alternative to allow the other shadows in the palette to hit pan too. I picked this up after recommendations from bloggers and although I don't like the tint end, the pencil is lovely. It's more of a wax and makes filling in the brows a complete doddle.

Estee Lauder Bronze Goddess Eau Fraîche Skinscent - £47.00 (currently £37.60)
After sniffing this last summer, I knew I couldn't be without it this year. As well as this, my dupe was running low and is becoming increasingly harder to get a hold of. With Bergamot, Amber, Tiare Flower, Vanilla and Coconut, this fragrance is summer in a bottle. It smells like suntan lotion, but a whole lot sexier and warmer. The only issue I have with this fragrance is that it doesn't seem to last long on my skin, at least I can't smell it on myself after an hour or so.

Green People Volumising Mascara* - £14.75
I mentioned this product a few days ago in my what's in my make up bag post and it's still a mascara that I'm loving. I am a massive mascara whore, and I can't remain loyal to one but this one might be my new favourite. It does everything a mascara should do; lengthens, separates and adds a hell of a lot of volume. The brush capturers every single lash and leaves them looking fluttery. 

Nars Cosmetics Blush in Outlaw* - £22.50
Sadly, I don't think you can buy this blush any more as it was released in the Autumn 2012 collection (which I wrote - a very bad post about - here). The blush looks very intimidating in the pan but it transfers to a soft rose toned blush with a golden shimmer on the cheeks. It instantly perks up my collection and leaves me looking glowing. It's a fail safe blush.

3 pack of face razors - £1.69
Following this post from Makeup Savvy, I knew I had to try shaving my face. The razors arrived quickly and I instantly got to work, shaving my face. It sounds strange but my face now feels incredibly soft and smooth and my make up has started applying much better. So far, I haven't had any regrowth and hopefully I won't end up looking like an ogre. I'll keep you updated.

What products are you currently loving?
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Monday, 12 May 2014

STORAGE | The Camouflage Company






I love organising. And I certainly enjoy organising my beauty stash the most. I used to have all of my daily essentials tucked away in my drawers, but then they became overflowing and late nights and early mornings meant that I needed to quickly grab my products. So I decided I would have them displayed on my 'dressing table.' But they ended up looking messy, so when I saw the products that The Camouflage Company offered, I knew I had to get my mitts on their foldaway trays.

I have the set of 3 foldaway trays in royal blue & white* which retail for £22 for the set. The other two boxes are currently holding my underwear and this one is displayed on top of my dressing table (I'd just like to state that dressing table isn't exactly how I'd like it due to lack of space at university). I love the foldaway trays. They make mess look neater, orderly and spotless. The sides are sturdy, the material is durable and lightweight and you can wipe it clean, meaning it's perfect for make up spillages.

In total, the company offer 12 different designs and a variety of products. They have everything from a shopping bag to a peg bag, a wheelie bag to a picnic bag. They ship to the UK and Europe and postage to the UK is free when you spend over £20. As soon as I return home and get my real dressing table sorted, I will be without a doubt purchasing more foldaway trays.

How do you organise your beauty products?
*PR sample
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Saturday, 10 May 2014

What's in my make up bag?


Oh I must say, it's good to be a "full time blogger" now. Obviously this isn't a viable career as I certainly don't make enough money from blogging to live off, but it's nice to be able to blog whenever I want. I love having nothing to do and I'm definitely making the most while it lasts. Although this post is called, "what's in my make up bag," I actually don't have a make up bag. I suppose these are just my everyday make up products. And although I mix it up often, these are the items that I reach for most often; my favourites, if you like.

I truly love this primer and I find myself reaching for it daily. It feels lightweight on the skin and make up adheres to it like it's glue, nothing that's applied on top of this is budging throughout the day, no matter what. The purple hue counteracts scarring and although it's not incredibly noticeable, I definitely think it helps up the coverage of my foundation, so no complaints with that one. 

Vichy Dermablend Corrective Foundation - £15.50 (currently on offer for £11.62)
I've raved about this many times before and I'll contain to do so as long as I live. As far as foundations go, this is perfection and it doesn't receive enough love. It's full coverage at its finest but is exceptionally lightweight and unnoticeable on the skin. Easy to blend, this foundation glides over the skin and stays put throughout the day. You can see my full review here with before and after photos.

I've tried many different concealers over the years but I always come back to this one. It's fail safe and always serves me well. The coverage is nice and probably the fullest on the high street and it never ends up looking cakey. I also find that I need a fair amount of concealer and go through tubes of the stuff quickly, so the price of this concealer is perfect for me. Why spend £20 when this one's under a fiver?!

This is a new discovery of mine and at the moment, I'm on the lookout for a new brow product. For ages I've been using my Urban Decay Naked Basics palette, but now the shades "Naked 2" and "Faint" are running extremely low. I don't like the Brow Tint half of this but the Pencil is lovely. It's more like a wax and fills in the brows nice and naturally.

I don't know how I've lived so long without this palette. It's an absolute godsend. It has every shade you'd ever need to create the most perfect neutral smoky eye, and it smells like chocolate. As with all of Too Faced's shadows, the pigmentation, blendability and staying power are second to none. You can find my full review here.

NYX The Curve* - £14.00
This eyeliner completely changed my life. No matter how hard I tried, eyeliner was something I couldn't perfect for many years. Then this beauty came along. The handle makes the liner incredibly easy to hold and the nib glides along eyelids meaning you don't need to stretch and tug them. You can find my full review here and since then, I've gone through five tubes of the stuff.

I'm someone who has never remained loyal to mascara. I naturally have long eyelashes so overtime I've found that pretty much all mascaras do the same thing. But the moment I tried Green People's Volumising Mascara, I knew I was a convert. This brush combs through the lashes, coating each one and making them luscious and thick. You can see my full review here.

I have the biggest love/hate relationship with this powder. You see, you only get 7g's worth of product for a whopping £23.50 - I have no idea how Benefit can charge that amount, it's almost crazy. But aside from this, the finishing powder is lovely. And I absolutely love it. It doesn't just fill in pores, it fills in my scars and leaves my skin looking airbrushed. Such a dilemma. I don't know whether I'll repurchase when I've used it all.

The moment I saw this blush I fell in love and since then, I haven't used any other product on my cheek. The packaging is beautiful, the blush is stunning and it takes me from dead to alive in approximately one minute. You can see my full review and swatch of this product here. Although it's limited edition, I hope KIKO never stop selling it. I'd be heartbroken.

And finally, we have something for the lips. I do change my lipstick everyday but I've been loving LUSH's Strong lipstick. It's a beautiful orange/red shade that's incredibly vibrant. However, when a small amount is applied, it's muted down enough for me to wear in the day. The formula sadly, is a little bit off and if I don't properly prep my lips they can end up looking dry. But it's worth it for the stunning colour.

What are your favourite everyday make up items? Have you tried any of the above?
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Friday, 9 May 2014

So, that's the end of university then [picture heavy]

The first picture taken at university. I look a mess and like a child.




































Yesterday saw me hand in my final ever university assignment. It's hard to believe that I've been at university for three years; the time has absolutely flown by. I can remember being at college and thinking to myself; "do I really want to spend another three years in education? It's a long time." But it really isn't. And although nearly everyone says this, university has without a doubt been the best three years of my life, so far. I've not only enjoyed the social aspect of university, I've actually really enjoyed my course (journalism, in case you didn't know).

As well as the obvious (learning how to "cook," fend for myself and meeting some incredible friends), so much has happened:
I went to the hairdressers for the first time, I met the Spice Girls, I got glasses, I became a deputy editor, I ombred my hair, I danced with Britney Spears, I had my hair cut short, I got a DSLR and learnt how to use it properly, I had my first drop of alcohol, I got braces, I did real work experience, I started working at Boots, I started working on the photo counter at Boots, I saw my sister graduate, I got published many times, I tried chilli con carne for the first time, I learnt about the wonders of iPhones, I started liking cheese, I've taught primary school children about journalism, I tried my first Nandos, I've learnt many different skills (almost enough to class myself as a real journalist), I went on the pill for the first time, I went into Space NK for the first time, I had my first skin peel, I've produced many magazines, I travelled and stayed in London alone, I went to my first nightclub, I went on my first real date, I got a spray tan, I learnt about heartbreak, I drove on the motorway, I started taking blogging seriously, I went house hunting for the first time... and these are just to name a few.

I've grown up an awful lot during my time at university. I'm no longer a young, naive girl (I may still be a little bit naive) and I'm now pretty strong and well, an adult. I don't want this post to go on and on, I just wanted a place to showcase my current thoughts and some of my favourite photos from over the years, so that in years to come, I can look back and remember how much of a truly special time university has been. And now I'm going to go because I'm all emotional.

Will you be finishing university soon? Or starting university in September?
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