Looking Back and Looking Forward (again)

Hello everyone,

Well done for making it to the end of another year. This year has been a lot better than last year and because of this, I have decided to answer the same questions as I did last year to end VeryBeth's posts for 2014. You can read this here to see how 2014 has compared to 2015.  So here are the answers for this year...

1. If you had to describe your 2015 in 3 words what would they be?

Better than 2014 - This was the year that Beth managed to man up a bit and put herself first. This was the year where I realised that I didn't need boys or other people to get me to where I wanted to be. Although there are some things which didn't go according to plan, I have actually had a really good year - it's shaped me to be a better person all in all.

2. Which new skills have you learnt?

Last year I learnt to crochet, this year I haven't really learnt anything. I think that the skill which I have progressed is independence. I have learnt how to be happy with myself and happy with my life as it is. 

3. Which purchase turned out to be your best decision ever?

Once again this is a tough one to answer. I haven't really bought much which has been overly important. There have been some new beauty additions (of course!) which I love and use regularly, but nothing of too much importance. 

4. What was the most important lesson you learnt in 2015?

To be my own person. I have learnt to make my own decisions for my own good. I have learnt that I need to put myself first in any decisions I make and to make sure that I achieve as much happiness as I can as that is what I deserve.

5. Which of your personal qualities turned out to be the most helpful this year?

Once again, I think my people skills have been my best quality, or at least the most helpful. Since being at uni, I have definitely been given the role of 'mum of the floor' so there are many situations where my people skills have come in pretty handy. I love talking to people and attempting to help resolve any problems which they may have, and no doubt this has happened multiple times with my flat mates. 

6. Did any parts of yourself or your life do a complete 180 this year?

Not in particular to be honest. There have been a few ups and downs, but whats new there? I have attempted to keep my life on track for the good of things and this has definitely happened to an extent. For once it has been pretty smooth sailing!

7. What was the best gift you received this year?

I have received lots of lovely gifts this year from family and friends. I think the best gifts I have received have been a variety of nice new beauty items. For my 18th Birthday, my beautiful girlies got me a bottle of Cava and the Naked 2 palette - two of my favourite things in the world, booze and beauty! My parents have also got me some lovely new beauty bits. This Christmas especially I have been spoilt. I got some lovely makeup and skincare bits and bobs. 

8. If you had to go back and tell yourself one thing what would it be?

Hmm this is tricky. I think it would be to make the most of what you already have and dont take it for granted. I have so much love for my family and friends. I think starting university has been the making of me and has made me feel grateful for all I already have. I miss my family and friends dearly when I am away in Leeds, but because of this, it makes time spent with them better when I see them again. I miss my girls dearly when I'm so far away from them all, however our group skype calls make everything better.

9. What do you need to remember for 2016?

To be thankful for everything I already have and to not be greedy in wanting more. I have all I need in life and I am happy and healthy, meaning I should not ask for wants, but rather be thankful for my needs. 

10. Did you achieve your New Year Resolutions?

Haha nope! But there's always next year...

1. What is your main goal for this year?

To do well in my studies. For me, I would rather be a studious person at university as I really cannot be bothered with the night life too much. Oh and to watch the rest of Geordie Shore!

2. Who do you want to spend more time with in 2016?

I want to spend more time with a variety of friends. I have made quite a few friends already at uni but I would like to strengthen these further. However I want to also strengthen and maintain the original friendships which I already have.

3. What new skill do you want to learn?

I don't particularly have any new skills that I want to gain or learn. I would like to improve my singing and musical talent a bit more. I would quite like to learn how to play guitar if I am able to. It is a skill I have always wanted to improve on since learning it when I was a lot younger. I might ask for a guitar for my birthday so then I can be able to practise my singing a bit more.

4. What habits do you want to change this year?

This one is the same as last year. I still bite my nails. Stress and anxiety has been the main factor for me biting them and I haven't yet overcome this, however there is always 2016. 

5. How do you want to remember 2016 when you look back on it in 10 years time?

I would really like 2016 to be the year where people acknowledge me for the good that has shown. I would like it to be a good end of my teenage years and to complete everything I've always wanted to before I turn 20. Just like last year too, I want this to be the year where Beth smiles and doesn't stress about small things.

6. Which personal quality do you want to develop?

I would really like to be able to develop my self-confidence a bit more again. I often get worried about other people and their opinions, however I have started to get a bit better at this. I just think that it would help me get through university and just my plain old life if I put myself and my opinions first without caring about anyone elses. 

7. How are you going to become more organised this year?

I would like to make sure that I don't always leave things to the last minute. I have done this a few times since starting uni and, although it hasn't always been too bad, I don't want it to become a habit. With potential new commitments also, it is likely I need to be able to be more organised in myself and my life and with time management.

8. What risks are you going to take this year?

Haha, I'm not really one for risk taking. I just like to take life as it comes. Lets just see what this next year brings eh and we'll take it from there...

9. What is one think that you need to take more control over in 2016?

In 2016 I would love to be able to take control over my makeup obsession haha! To be fair I've been pretty good this past few months because of not having as much money and having to live off what I have and not having food bought for me anymore. I would like to use all my makeup up before buying more. However, if there is a new MAC lipstick I like the look of, I can't say that I won't be making a purchase!

10. What are your New Year Resolutions?

I would like to get fitter and lose a few pounds. I have definitely put some on over Christmas so it would be nice to lose them, especially the ones that have been put on after eating a lot of Christmas pudding and Christmas cake.

So thats my reflections on 2015 and hopes for 2016 in a nutshell. I am excited about what is coming up in 2016 for VeryBeth. I am hoping to do a lot better with writing blog posts and getting a lot more organised for all of you dear readers. I have really appreciated all of the support I have had for my blog this year. Thank you to all of you loyal readers, whether you are new to VeryBeth or have been reading from the start. 

Have a great night everyone! Stay safe, don't get too hungover, and make the last night of 2015 one to remember.

So until 2016 lovelies xx

  

No7 Beauty Advent Calendar 2015 - Final Week

Hello everyone,

Merry Christmas!!

I hope you have all had a great time over the festive period - I certainly have! This is the final part of my No7 advent calendar round up. I have decided to put together weeks 3 and 4 because there was only a certain number of doors left to open. I didn't want to drag this out for an extra week and so thought you might like to have a long blog post to read for once from me. So make yourself a cuppa and here we go for the final time with the advent calendar...

Day 15: High Shine Lip Crayon in Delicate Pink
I'm pretty sure a similar colour of this was in last years advent calendar. The miniatures of these are really good sizes which are great to put in any makeup bag and especially a clutch bag on a night out. This is a lovely pink colour which leaves a glossy and sheer effect on the lips. It is not at all overpowering or too bold. In fact, it is the perfect day time shade for all year round, or is something perfect to pair with a dark smokey eye on a night out.

Day 16: Nail Effects in Sun Rays
During the Winter months and the festive period I love painting my nails with darker toned colours, whether they be berries, purples, blues, greens, greys etc. However, what makes these more interesting and somewhat festive I feel is by adding an glittery effect. As a nail biter (I know, shoot me!), I think it makes the nails look a lot nicer and brighter, hence I see that these effects make the nails look longer. I haven't yet used this, but I really look forward to pairing this golden glitter with a gorgeous purpley-burgundy shade.

Day 17: Youthful Eye Serum
A miniature of this eye serum was in last years calendar. I also received this from Boots as a free gift when they sent me a variety of No7 products in the middle of this year. I am thrilled to get another of these. Although many may be thinking that you don't need an eye serum with young skin, I disagree. I personally feel that it is a good thing to use in your skincare routine because it helps reduce wrinkles, puffiness and dark circles, hence making the eyes look younger and cared for.

Day 18: Stay Perfect Amazing Eyes Pencil in Black
This was the third eyeliner in the advent calendar, however I am not one to argue against this. This was another of the smaller sized eyeliners, this time in the shade black. It has the same formula as the others do which have been in the advent calendar. They have a pencil application but with a gel-like finish which is really nice to have in an eyeliner. It is an intense black which is something you don't often get in a pencil eyeliner, however is is also good for smudging, meaning it looks great for both a classy daytime eye look and a deep smokey eye, perfect for a night out.

Day 19: Stay Perfect Eyeshadow from Moonlight Shadow Duo
I love this eyeshadow! I am always on the look out for eyeshadows which are plain and neutral enough to be worn with other colours but also can be worn on their own. This is a light brown shade with grey undertones, which for my skin tone is perfect. I have to say, it also looks good with my blonde hair and blue-grey coloured eyes. It has a small amount of shimmer but is not at all overpowering. I would wear this on a 'no makeup' makeup day or as a base for a neutral eye for both the daytime and the nighttime.

Day 20: Eye Lash Curler
Oh my goodness, have you seen this!? I love the No7 eyelash curlers. Before I got this, I was on my second pair of the silver ones. However, once I got this, I gave those to my mum and kept these gorgeous gold ones for myself and added them immediately to my collection. I love the No7 eyelash curlers. Even though they are somewhat more expensive than other drugstore brands, I find these really durable. They do not wear down quickly like others I have previously tried, and they constantly produce a lovely curl. When paired with any of the No7 mascaras, my eyelashes never fail to look flawless!

Day 21: Extravagant Volume Waterproof Mascara
Leading on from the last review, this mascara is great. When I found out that I would be getting some more No7 mascaras to add to my collection I was thrilled. I especially love finding a new and worthwhile waterproof mascara. The two which I have previously tried have been either fairly drying or very wet on the lashes when applying. However, this mascara is the golden mean of the two extremes. It makes the lashes volumised and lengthened - just what I want in a mascara!

Day 22: Smokey Eye Brush
Now as many people know, I am a makeup brush collector. Last year, there were two brushes in the advent calendar, however one cannot complain at a new brush to be added to the collection. It is a nice brush which, as its name suggests, is perfect for a smokey eye. It is somewhat small and is suited to detail when applying eyeshadow. I think it is good for applying pigments or applying darker shades in the crease. I dont think I would use this brush on a day-to-day basis, but it will definitely get some use when doing more original eyeshadow looks, especially for a night out.

Day 23: Beautiful Skin Eye Make Up Remover
I got this product last year as well and I loved it. When I got it again this year, I decided that because I love it so much, I would purchase the full size. It is a great dual action remover which means that it conditions whilst it cleanses. This is also perfect now I have the waterproof mascara as it works wonders with them. It is a great item to have in a skincare routine, especially when you can use the £5 off vouchers that Boots constantly have, meaning you can get a great eye makeup remover (which actually works!) for only £3.50.

Day 24: Protect & Perfect Intense Advanced Night Cream
As I said when I got the day cream, I love getting new creams for my skincare routine. This was also in last years calendar, however I think it was a different formulation with a different name too. These miniatures are great sizes to have in an overnight or travel bag. With the amount of hydration it provides, only a small amount is needed. I pair this with the eye serum after using the eye makeup remover before I go to bed if I feel like using a purely No7 based evening skincare routine.

Day 25: Lovely Lashes Mascara
The final item in the calendar this year was another full sized mascara. Firstly, I just want to point out the gorgeous, purple, metallic packaging which encases the mascara. It is so appealing to the eye and looks great next to the gold eyelash curlers. However, I am not as impressed with this mascara as I was with the waterproof one which came previously in this advent calendar. The mascara wand is not one which I am keen on and with the wet formula, it can be difficult to use. I think that this only gives a good look for daytime lashes; I would not use this if I was going out. However, I think I will be keeping this in the makeup bag in my handbag as it is a good mascara which can be used as a top up throughout the day.

So there we go. Another No7 advent calendar, another 25 items and another 25 mini reviews. I think this years advent calendar is better than last years - so well done No7! I definitely have got lots of use out of most of the items, and those which I haven't have been passed onto others who I know will. I hope you have enjoyed reading these reviews and I hope they have given an insight into what each product is like so it might help some of you decide what to buy from No7 before wasting your money on something which might not be good for you.

I hope you have all had a great Christmas and I will be back very soon with some more exciting Christmas related blog posts.

So until next time lovelies xx

No7 Beauty Advent Calendar 2015 - Week 2

Hello everyone,

Sorry it has taken longer than usual posting this weeks instalment of what is in the No7 advent calendar. I came home on Monday for Christmas and have been busy every single day this week. However, I couldn't let my lovely readers go without the second week of exciting beauty bits. So here we go...

Day 8: Protect and Perfect Intense Hand Cream
I got this a miniature hand cream in the advent calendar and mum stole it and put it in her handbag. Guess what happened this year? - the exact same thing! I managed to use it once before she nabbed it off me. Although I can't give much of a review because of this, I did enjoy it. It was a great size to fit in a handbag, hence the steal from mum, and it is also so nourishing for the skin and very hydrating, locking in moisture and making the hands amazingly soft.

Day 9: Skin Illuminator in Peach
As many of you old and loyal readers to VeryBeth will know, I love this product! Many times I have received this from No7 and each time it's filled me with joy. This size lasts me all year with it being used nearly every day. I either use it under foundation, on top of foundation or mixed with foundation. This item is multipurpose and brilliant for all year round. It is the perfect size also to put in a makeup bag, meaning it is good for travelling. If you are looking for a highlighter, look no further, rush out and buy this!!

Day 10: Stay Perfect Amazing Eyes Pencil in Bronze
Last year in the advent calendar, there was a full size liquid eyeliner. However this year there is a full sized gel-like eyeliner. It is so smooth and easy to apply. The colour was so glittery and great for both the waterline and lashline. I had an Avon one once and its nearly all gone now so its great to try a different brand of a similar product. It is great for christmas time and I would personally say it is more of a gold colour than a bronze.

Day 11: Beautiful Skin Perfecting Body Polish
Usually, I'm not a fan of body polishes and scrubs, however I was prepared to try this as I do with others I get. Its the same size as the body wash I received earlier on in December. It has a nice scent and is quite exfoliating - which obviously is what you seek for in a body scrub. However, I don't know if I would buy the full size product as I don't usually buy body scrubs as I don't use fake tan or anything so don't have much of a need for them.

Day 12: BB Lips Beauty Balm in Blink Pink
Now if you have read some of my last blog posts, you will have seen that I have already got this product in full size. It was a miniature BB lip balm in a really nice shade. Beth nabbed this one as well as the eyeshadow because I thought she would really like it. It is a great size for a handbag on a night out. It is also brilliant in hydrating and nourishing the lips. It helps to reduce chapped lips but still manages to make them look beautiful with the gorgeous baby pink shade it comes in.

Day 13: Stay Perfect Amazing Eyes Pencil in Brown
Once again I got another eyeliner in the same style as the full sized one I got earlier on in the week. However this one is a miniature one. I really like this shade. As someone who isnt too daring with eyeliner, in the day I will tend to use a brown eyeliner if I do a fairly neutral eye look. It is so easy to apply and it is great to smudge if the eye look is more exciting. I really like this and the miniature size means its great to take travelling or in a handbag if you need to top up the eyeliner on the go.

Day 14: Stay Perfect Nail Colour in Me Me Me
The final product this week was a lovely pink nail varnish. It is a colour which my mum loves so when I brought it back from uni with me, she took it straight away and painted her nails with it - so guess who is not seeing that again! These size nail varnishes are great to receive in the advent calendar because they are full of product and are especially great for packing in an overnight or travelling bag. I know many people who would love this colour, so I might have to make some purchases of it for some gifts.

So I hope you all enjoyed this weeks round up of what was in my No7 advent calendar. Sorry that it was very late - hopefully I wont leave you waiting too long with week 3! How are your advent calendars going? Are you fed up of chocolate yet? Have you got some exciting other things? Let me know in the comments below.

Only 5 sleeps til Christmas!!

So until next time lovelies xx

No7 Beauty Advent Calendar 2015 - Week 1

Hello everyone,

Yes I know I promised I'd be blogging again regularly and I'm sorry that it hasnt been the case. However, December is now upon us which can only mean one thing - it's time to get festive! And now I promise you that there will be more uploads over this festive period once I've done my 2000 word essays that are due before Christmas.

So I thought, what better way to end my blogging hiatus than with reviews of my advent calendar. I absolutely loved the No7 advent calendar last year and so was desperate for one when they were released again this year. Here begins week 1...

Day 1: Protect & Perfect Intense Advanced Day Cream
Now this year I have been really big on skincare items and have loved branching out across brands and trying a variety of items. There were miniature face creams in the advent calendar last year and so to get another one this year has been really good. I love No7 for their skincare and to have a small face cream is really good for when you're travelling or for putting in an overnight bag. This face cream works wonders on your skin. I would say however that it is suited to more older skin, but there is nothing wrong with looking after your skin when you're young.

Day 2: Beautiful Skin Blissful Body Wash
I remember getting a body wash last year and my mum stealing it, however this year that won't be happening! It is such a creamy body wash that is nourishing on the skin and helps to fill it with moisture. It has such a neutral yet lovely smell, as do all things pretty much from No7. I don't think I would purchase it in the full size as, personally, I think it is quite expensive. However, there is nothing wrong with having a selection of miniatures for when you are going away, and so this will definitely be going in my cupboard or straight in my shower - either way, its not getting into the hands of my mum!

Day 3: Instant Illusions Airbrush Away Primer
I have been so excited to get this in the advent calendar. Now some of you will remember that Boots sent me some free No7 items in the post over the Spring/Summer time and a full sized version of this primer was one of them. Now it's lasted me a long time even though I have used it nearly everyday, but I have just about come to the end so to get another one, even though it is only a miniature, has been a lifesaver! I wont have to repurchase it just yet now :) One of my uni friends also loves this so trying to keep this away from her will be a task (yes we all know its you Demi!).

Day 4: Beautiful Skin Radiance Exfoliator
Once again, there was another reappearance from a favourite item of mine from last year's advent calendar. I loved this exfoliator that No7 do. It only has small exfoliating beads  which means it is less harsh on the skin which, for young skin especially, is good. I think this is such a generous sample size that really does last for a number of days. Rediscovering it again this year has made me want to buy the full size version. So watch out Boots, Beth might be making an appearance soon to do some serious shopping.

Day 5: Shine and Tint in Seduce
I had thought that by day 4 we would have a makeup item make an appearance, but unfortunately not. However, day 5 did not disappoint! Behind the door was a miniature of a lovely fuchsia looking lip gloss. When it was applied however, it looked a lot more berry toned. It is a really lovely colour, especially for the festive season. It can be worn dulled down in the daytime or can be layered up for a bold nighttime look. Miniature lip glosses are really good to have as they are great to take in a clutch on a night out as they save a lot of space.

Day 6: Stay Perfect Eye Shadow from Forest Fruits Trio
I was a bit disappointed with day 6's treat. Earlier on in the year, No7 gave away a small gift set to celebrate their 80th Birthday. This eyeshadow was in there. If you are an avid No7 fan, like me, it is more than likely that you will receive duplicates and so I was prepared to receive some duplicates in the advent calendar this year. It was just a shame for it to be a beauty item so early on in the calendar. Now I am doing the same as last year with my duplicates and dislikes, so Beth, it's on its way to you when I see you next week! I'm not saying I dont like this eyeshadow, because trust me I love it, I was just somewhat disappointed that it was a duplicate for me.

Day 7: Gel Finish Nail Colour in Red
The final item in the first week was a gorgeous Gel Finish Nail Varnish in the shade 'Red'. It is such a wonderful festive colour that I know will have a lot of usage at this time of year, whether this be from me or my mum. The gel nail varnish I got last year was great so I cannot wait to try this one. The miniature nail varnishes are a perfect size to pack in a travel bag and are just very easy to carry around. Don't be deceived however about their small size because they are full of product so they will not run out too quickly I promise. This colour would also look lovely with a glitter on top, so when I decide on the colour of my nails for Christmas, I think this will be a contender.

So that's what I got in my advent calendar for the first week of December. I have two questions for you this week. Firstly, what advent calendars have you got this year, are they beauty related, are they chocolate, are they anything else exciting? Secondly, do you like the idea of me reviewing my advent calendar again this year?

I hope you've had a wonderful start to December. Only 17 days til Christmas now guys!

So until next time lovelies xx

Happy 1st Birthday VeryBeth!

Hello everyone,

Once again I've been a bad blogger. I'm sorry I haven't blogged for over two months now. I had lots of ideas and then life stuff happened. I have been so busy that I haven't even got round to planning blog posts, let alone writing them. But this one had to go up today for one reason...

It's the first birthday of VeryBeth!

I wish I had a cake to put a candle in to mark the occasion. There have been a whole variety of posts over this last year, ranging from hauls to tags to favourites. I look forward to what is coming next for this blog and look forward to writing (hopefully) more interesting blog posts for you all.

I love doing this blog, and it is just such a shame that I get so busy that I can't keep up with it. So I am sorry for the lack of posts, but I hope to be writing some more very soon.

Lots has happened over the past two months, including me starting university. I am absolutely loving uni life and I can't wait to write about it for you all and show you the gang I am living with and what uni life is just like in general. So please bear with for now, but hold me to the fact that I am promising you more blog posts very soon.

Now I live in a big city with many more shops to what I'm used to, there will be many posts coming your way I'm sure - whether they be hauls, reviews, swatches - who knows!

So this is just me checking in for now and letting you know that I am still alive and haven't disappeared off the face of the Earth. I will be back very shortly. I look forward to what the next year has in store for VeryBeth.

So until next time lovelies xx

MAC Patentpolish Lip Pencils - Review

Hello everyone,

About a month ago, I popped into MAC with the intention of expanding my lipstick collection further. I wrote myself a list of potential purchases, however when I tried them, none of them looked at all good. So I had a little wander around and found the Patentpolish Lip Pencils on a stand and was immediately drawn to them. If it's not a lipstick I'm after, it's any sort of lip crayon. I swatched a few different ones before trying them on, and then before I knew it, I was at the checkout with my card in the card machine about to pay for two new Patentpolish Lip Pencils. Here are the shades which I treated myself to...

These were limited edition lip products before in MAC and I think they made a great decision by choosing to bring these back again. I just hope that they stay for a decent amount of time so I can try a majority of the colours. I chose two slightly different colours this time. Both of these have a gorgeous glossy formula so it is a change from the matte lip that I am used to. I chose a lovely nude-ish pink colour called Kittenish and a bright red-pink colour called Pleasant...

Kittenish is what I would say to be one of the most perfect nude and wearable colours. It is a great pink shade to wear during both the daytime and nighttime. With one application it looks natural whereas it can be layered up for a bolder light pink colour. I like to use this on top of MAC Soar lip liner in the evening. Even though it is a slightly different colour, I think the combination of the two are just perfect. The size of this product is also amazing for a makeup bag or for a clutch bag on a night out. I think this shade is great for all skin tones. So if you are looking for a new pinky nude shade, I would definitely recommend this.

Pleasant is the most gorgeous bright pink shade. It isn't too dark or too red which, for me and my skin tone, makes it perfect, especially for the summer. The only small problem I have with this is that it is very very glossy. I am used to having more matte and satin shades for a dark lip, but nevertheless I am prepared to work through it. I like to use this colour to brighten up my makeup look, especially during the day with minimal eyeshadow. Once again this is a great staple to have in your makeup bag or clutch bag on a night out. If you love bold colours or a glossy lip, this product is definitely for you!

I will definitely need to head back into MAC soon because I don't want to risk these going out of stock again. I have loved using these so much and definitely want to try other colours, especially something orangey. Let me know in the comments below if you have used these Patentpolish Lip Pencils before or if you might have been persuaded to want to try them. 

So until next time lovelies xx

No7 BB Lips and Free Gift

Hello everyone,

Sorry there was no blog post last night and sorry that this one is so late up. I have had a very hectic few days. Anyway, when I went into town with my Nanny the other week, she treated me to a few lovely bits from the No7 counter in Boots. I was intrigued at the BB Lips products, and with them being lip products, I knew I had to get them. Here are the colours which I got...

These products have 3 key properties which are what attracted me to them. Firstly, they have a really nourishing formula. They are so lovely and easy to wear on the lips. Secondly, they have UV protection. It is great to find a good lip product that will protect your lips from the sun. Thirdly, they have the most amazing pigmentation and colour! I consider these to be a lip balm and they are amazing. When I wear a lip balm or lip gloss, they usually don't have very good pigmentation or properties, however these are off the scale. They are amazing and I would definitely recommend them. I chose two shades of these however at the counter I tried four on to find which I liked the best. Here are some swatches of the two gorgeous lip products I have added to my collection...

I chose two summery and bold colours which I thought would be great for the Summer months. The first shade I chose was Blink Pink. It is a really lovely baby/light pink shade. It is a great shade to wear in the daytime. It is good with both natural and heavy makeup. It is good to use it minimally for a natural 'your lips but better' look or layer it up for a more bold and intense lip colour. The other shade I chose was Geranium. When I first saw it, even before it was swatched, I knew it would be one I had to get. It is so so pigmented, even more so than Blink Pink. It is a really good lip colour for daytime and nighttime makeup looks. It is a great product for a bold lip that keeps the lips hydrated and will stay there for a decent amount of time before having to reapply. I would really recommend these lip balm or lip gloss alternatives. And for £9 each, they are a steal, especially when No7 has £3 off their cosmetics.

When I got these from the store, there was a promotion on because No7 are celebrating their 80th birthday at the moment. It stated that if you bought two or more cosmetic products, then you would be able to get a free gift set. And if you know me, then you know I am a sucker for a gift set. Here is what was included in the lovely set...

I got another mini mascara in this gift set like I got in my No7 Advent Calendar at Christmas. I really like this mascara so another mini is great for me to save in my spare makeup drawer. I will probably take this away with me when I go on holiday in a few weeks. Also in this gift set was a mini highlighter. I got the same highlighter as I got in the No7 Advent Calendar at Christmas. I have nearly finished the one I got at Christmas, so another one has definitely come at a good time. The third gift was a gorgeous deep and glittery purple eyeshadow. It is a great shade to use in the crease and outer corner of the eye. I would definitely use it more on a night out but nonetheless I will definitely get a lot of use out of it.

However, when you thought that was it, there was a golden ticket inside the gift. No7 have been offering a free full sized lipstick of your choice to those with a golden ticket. Because of this, I knew I had to get the free gift. When I had my makeup done last week for my night out, I decided to redeem my voucher and get my free lipstick. I have got more and more into bold colours this summer than any summers before. Because of this, I knew I had to go for something bold and something I didn't have in my collection already. Most of you will be thinking, 'is this possible? she owns every colour under the sun already'. I found the most gorgeous red shade with a hint of orange. It was in the shade Brick Red which was colour matched to my light skin tone of Calico.

I love all of these products which I got from No7. The free gift is so amazing that I would definitely encourage you to get it if you are going near a Boots store soon. Also, with No7 having £3 off their cosmetics at the moment, then it is even more of a bargain. If you were to redeem the voucher, I would love to know in the comments below what shade you would treat yourself to.

So until next time lovelies xx

My Current Beauty Wishlist

Hello everyone,

I love making notes. On my phone there are notes, I have plenty of notebooks and, as some of you will know, I adore sticky notes. Whenever I go into a beauty store or have an online browse, undoubtedly I find many items that I don't yet own that I must own. On my phone I have many lists of these. I have a drugstore one, a high end one and a MAC one. So for this post I thought I would make yet another list of what beauty related products I am wanting at the moment...

1. Benefit Hoola Bronzing Powder
I am a lover of trying to contour even though my cheekbones are hidden away somewhere underneath my fat cheeks. Hoola is a favourite of all beauty bloggers'. I feel I need to get on the bandwagon with this one once again. It is a natural bronzer which for me is hard to find because of my skin tone. I think that this bronzer really is missing from my makeup collection at the moment, so we will have to see if a purchase is made soon.

2. Benefit Roller Lash Mascara
I got a sample of this amazing mascara free with a magazine a while back. I made my mum go to the supermarket and buy it, only for the free mascara. I had heard a lot about this mascara, and because of its beautiful plastic wand I knew that I had to have it. The sample has done me well so far, but I really feel like I am missing out on what I bet is a great mascara in the full size. I've not tried any other Benefit mascaras, but I bet that if I get this one, I will be intrigued into trying the others, especially They're Real.

3. Urban Decay Weightless Ultra Defining Liquid Makeup
I have had my makeup done at the Urban Decay counter twice now and both times I have had this gorgeous foundation used on me. Sophie, the manager of the counter, matched me to it the first time and Stephanie, a wonderful makeup artist, used it on me again recently - so thank you ladies! This foundation is so weightless you can't feel it on the skin, yet provides the most amazing coverage. I'm annoyed that high end foundations are so expensive because I want to buy them all. However, having this one applied on me twice and me falling in love with it both times, does make me think that I need to get it soon.

4. Urban Decay Eden Eyeshadow Primer Potion
When I had my makeup done both times again, the ladies at the counter used this primer on me. I loved the eyeshadow looks that they both did and the primer made it last for ages. It is a great primer that can be applied from the lash line up to the brow bone because it is matte and neutral. I have a few samples of this and know that on my next night out, I will be using this under my eyeshadow I'm sure. When they are used up though, it will be time to think about buying the full sized product...

5. Clinique Sonic System Purifying Cleansing Brush
I am falling more and more in love with Clinique products at the moment. I have had multiple appointments at the counter recently and this has made me want to buy the whole stock. The lovely consultant Natalia booked me in for a skin consultation last week and tried out a variety of different products on me, some of which I then went on to buy (spoiler - post on those coming soon!). She also used the Cleansing Brush on me and I have to say, that from the first time it touched my skin, I knew that I needed it in my life. The only problem though is that it is £79. I think that this is top of my wishlist right now as I want my skin to stop being so spotty so less makeup is needed to make it look good. So if anyone wants to give me the money, I would be truly thankful!

6. Clinique Pore Refining Solutions Instant Perfector
This was another product that Natalia used on me during my skin consultation - thanks Natalia you are amazing! One of my main skin worries is the size and appearance of the pores on my face. She recommended this product to me and after using it on my skin, my pores seemed to magically disappear and my skin became 'perfect'. I have used the Benefit Porefessional to reduce my pores, but I have to say that the Clinique alternative does wonders for my skin.

7. Nars Blush in Orgasm
Here we go, the cult classic that every beauty blogger raves on about. Three words - I need it! I have a few Nars products but not yet a blush. I swatched it in store a while back and fell in love with it, so I think this will have to be one to add to my blush collection. There are no other words to explain why this is on my wishlist really, because if you already own it, then you will agree with me I'm sure.

8. MAC 242 Shader Brush
I have seen many people use this brush for pigments and normal eyeshadows. I am always looking to increase my collection of eye brushes and I think that this one is needed in my collection. I really love flat brushes to pack on the product and MAC brushes are great. Of course any excuse to go into MAC is a good one in my opinion.

9. MAC 217 Blending Brush
This one shouldn't really be on here because its not really needed. But I would love another 217 brush. I got my current one a year ago and after many washes, the brush has started to lose its shape and softness. If it completely breaks, it will be time for a new one I think.

10. MAC Eyeshadow Pro Palette x15
I would just love to expand my MAC eyeshadow collection. I would love to create a palette of 15 shades, a good mix of mattes and shimmers, perfect for both the daytime and the evening. In this palette I would love to include some of the following shades: Hair, Shroom, Handwritten, Woodwinked, Honey Lust, Bamboo, Brule, Vapour, Wedge, Gleam and Smut.

11. Charlotte Tilbury Filmstar Bronze and Glow
I love my Charlotte Tilbury lipstick, but I am dying to get a few more items. One item in particular I would love to get my hands on is the Bronze and Glow duo. Not only is it the rose gold packaging that I find enticing, but a bronzer and highlighter with a mirror would be great for me; it would be perfect for travelling. And if anything, it would be the perfect item in my makeup bag to brighten it up a bit with the gorgeous packaging.

12. Smashbox Step By Step Contour Stick Trio
Yes another bronzing and contouring product, can we see a theme appearing here? I love cream contour products, especially those in stick form. Because I am quite fair, for me this product would be great because of the three different stick shades it includes. And 3 sticks for £35 is a bargain isn't it? Well even though it might not be entering my shopping basket soon, it is staying on my wishlist.

13. By Terry Ombre Blackstar in Bronze Moon and Frozen Quartz
I have wanted some Ombre Blackstars for a long long time. To get by, I have been using my Kiko Eyeshadow Sticks which I reviewed in my last blog post. I have been loving them, but they don't have the same gorgeous packaging as the By Terry ones. They also look a lot more creamy than the Kiko ones. These shades seem great for both a daytime and nighttime look. However, the hefty price tag is what is off putting. Maybe for a special occasion though?

14. Yves Saint Laurent Black Opium Eau de Parfum
I could not write this list without mentioning this gorgeous perfume. Every single time I go into Boots or Debenhams or John Lewis or anywhere with a YSL counter, I spray this perfume onto me. I love the gorgeous scent. I have a couple of samples that live in a little box in my room and I wear it when I go out. It is a great sweet yet sensual scent that is one of my favourites. I really really want this perfume, so next time I go to get a new one, I will probably be heading back to a YSL counter.

Now I know what you're all thinking 'wow she doesn't want much does she'. And as most of you know, yes I am a bit of a beauty junkie. I love trying new products. Many of these I have had used on me during makeovers in store or I have used samples of them. Because of this, I personally feel they are all justified items because they are not impulse buys that I might not actually like. And yes I know that there is a lot on my wishlist, but a girl is allowed to dream isn't she?

Do you have a beauty wishlist? What's on yours? Let me know in the comments below because I might need to expand mine slightly aha.

So until next time lovelies xx

Mini Kiko Haul

Hello everyone,

Everyone raves on and on about how good the products are from Kiko and also how cheap they are. I had found a few things that I wanted to get but because you have to have a minimum spend online, I always left it. However I recently went shopping in Cambridge and stopped by at Kiko. They had a great sale on and I spent ages in there trying to decide what to spend the last of my money on.

I was looking for some specific things after hearing raving reviews about them. Luckily when I found them, they were all on sale. I wanted to try these as I had heard about their amazing quality and because of the price. Here is what I treated myself to...

Kiko Long Lasting Stick Eyeshadows in shades 25 and 38
These eyeshadow sticks are out of this world in my opinion. They are so highly pigmented its amazing. I have wanted to try the By Terry Ombre Blackstar eyeshadow sticks for ages but because of the price I was a bit sceptical. Trying the Kiko ones as an alternative was a great idea. In the sale, they were only £3.40 each, which I believe to be a steal. Shade 25 is a great colour for all over the lid if you want a subtle look. It is also a great base shade and a brightening shade for in the corner of the eye. Shade 38 is great for all over the lid for an evening and dramatic look. It is also a great colour for in the crease. These shades are all great for their blending abilities. However, if you leave them too long, then they set, so you better get the blending brush out fast! These eyeshadow sticks have staying power, as the name of them suggests. To take them off, a good eye makeup remover is needed, especially one that removes waterproof makeup. I use Benefit's They're Real Remover and it works a treat.

Mosaic Blush in 01 Inspiration Rose Coral
I love a good coral and peach blush as most of you know. If I'm being honest with you, one of the only reasons that I bought it was because of the pattern of the product. It is a great product because you can swirl the brush around it and get all of the colours on the brush at once. This blush is really really pigmented. It is one of the most pigmented blushes I own. However, I don't really like the packaging. It is quite bulky and I find it kind of heavy. I also have difficulty in opening it sometimes. An upside however is that there is a decent sized mirror in it which is great for application on the go. For me, this is the most perfect summery shade. It is great in the Spring and Summer months and I think would also be good as a transition from Summer to Autumn shades; hence I think it is a good blush for all times of the year.

These products from Kiko are all great, and due to these good experiences, I will definitely be going in there again to purchase some other bits and pieces. I would really like to try the Kiko lipsticks as I have heard really good things about them. If you have any other recommendations, please feel free to send them my way, because as you know, I'm always up for trying new beauty bits.

So until next time lovelies xx

July Favourites 2015!

Hello everyone,

The weather is starting to look up again yay! In fact, I am writing this whilst sitting outside drinking a glass of Pimms - lets just hope it stays sunny for the rest of the summer holidays. I cannot believe we are now in August. July came and went so quickly. August is a really busy month for me unlike July which I made the most of as a nice break. As we have come into summer and as I have had more time on my hands, I've been experimenting with old and new things and just trying different bits and pieces. I have a few favourites this month, some beauty related, others not so much. So here is what I have been loving over the past month...

Nars Bronzer in Laguna
Many beauty lovers rave on and on about this bronzer. I bought it this time last year only really because I wanted to jump on the bandwagon and get my first Nars product - I didn't even get a colour match or anything. I went into the Space NK in Leeds and bought it on a whim. When I got home, I wasn't actually too bothered with it, but as I spent a lot of money on it (*cough £27.50 cough*) I wanted to make the most of it. It has only been this year so far really that I have used it. I use it nearly every single day. Personally, it is one of the best bronzers which I own, and as a result have no regrets buying it. For me it is great to try and contour with as well as use as a bronzer. I really recommend you buy it, however maybe speak to someone in store first to see if it is the best product for you especially if that is all the money you have at the moment.

Maybelline Color Tattoo 24hr in On and On Bronze and Creamy Beige
When I first saw these a while back, I got excited and headed straight into my local Boots store, however I did not like many of the colours so walked straight back out again. However, I saw them again recently and thought I would go back into Boots and have another look. When I saw these though I knew I had to have them in my makeup collection. I have many shades of these cram eyeshadows but it is the most recent ones which I have loved this month. I use Creamy Beige 98 as a base for all my eyeshadows. I think it is a great base which doubles up somewhat as a primer. It is great as an eyeshadow on its own or with other colours over the top. For my perfect evening eye look this summer, I love pairing it with the shade On and On Bronze 35. I know I will be continuing to use it in the upcoming Autumn months too because of the amazing metallic bronze colour it gives. These are so blendable and great for both daytime and evening looks. They are also a steal at £4.99, especially when they are on 3 for 2 in Boots or Superdrug and you can get 3 for under £10.

Urban Decay Perversion Mascara
I have gone on and on about this mascara to so many of my friends over the past month, so it goes without saying that it is definitely one of my July faves. I reviewed it really recently so if you want to have a read in detail about what I think of it, head over to that blog post HERE. But basically, if you haven't got it or tried it, try it and you will most probably fall in love with it just like I did!

MAC Lipsticks in Chatterbox and Vegas Volt
I love lipsticks as many of you know, especially MAC ones. My collection increases each time I go into a MAC store. These are definitely two of my most used ones and think that they are just so perfect for the summer. They both have an Amplified finished, meaning the pigmentation is amazing but they are so nourishing for the lips, so there is no dryness like I get from the Retro Matte finishes. Chatterbox is the most beautiful bright but not so bright pink shade. I bought it for my May Ball event for my sixth form last year. It goes well with every single makeup look and can easily be dulled down to be a nude with a smokey eye or to be a bold statement lip. Vegas Volt is one of the only orange shades that MAC do that suits my skin tone. I bought this at the same time I got Nars Laguna last year and think they are great together to form a bronzey summer look. As these lipsticks are both so nourishing for the lips, it helps keep them hydrated, even in the heat of the summer. If you want to start experimenting with bold lips, I think the Amplified finished is the best and these colours are a great transition.

Only Imagine Perfume from Avon
This has gorgeous packaging for starters! I have always loved this smell and have waited for ages and ages to purchase it. I bought a handbag sized one which I have used sparingly and have recently come to the end of it. Because of this, I knew it was time to invest in and upgrade to the bigger size. I always had the smaller size in my school bag and on many occasions did some people from my Philosophy class want to use it. It is the perfect summer fragrance in my opinion - it is very fruity, especially with the scents of summer berries. Its great for the daytime and evening, so I would be inclined to wear it more often than some of my other more expensive perfumes sometimes.

Tangle Teezer
The classic! I got a Tangle Teezer in my stocking at Christmas because, once again, I wanted to jump on the beauty bandwagon. I bought it and loved using it, but only when my hair was dry and without tangles. So yes, I had a problem with it. However, in the summer months, since my hair has got shorter and more manageable, it is easier for me to use. I have got used to using it on wet hair also. I now always carry it in my handbag as a staple, as you don't know when you can get caught in the wind just before meeting someone. I am looking to maybe purchase a compact one and also a salon sized one in the future, so any opinions on those send them my way please.

John Freida Go Blonder Lightening Conditioner
In our house due to us having a lot of Avon products, we don't look at many other toiletries; this includes shampoos and conditioners, as to us we haven't really been able to find anything better for the price we pay. However, the other week, mum came home with this shampoo. Now anything that promises me that my hair will become blonder I am a sucker for. I have used this everyday for the past fortnight or so, and I have to say, I love this conditioner! It doesn't make my hair greasy. It nourishes my hair and kept it healthy by reducing breakage. However, what I don't love so much is its hefty price tag. Because of this, I think I will only be repurchasing on special occasions. But this still doesn't mean that I didn't love it, because trust me I did. So if anyone wants to give me some then I would appreciate it, thanks ;)

X by Ed Sheeran
Now this was my album of the summer last year, I listened to it nearly everyday and loved it so much. I then stopped listening to it for ages and around exams this year, I fell in love with it all over again. It has so many memories, both new and old, associated with it so whenever I listen to it, I remember various things, such as car journey singalongs with some of my friends. I am absolutely loving Photograph; I always liked this song but I now listen to it constantly whilst I'm writing blog posts or getting ready. I also really like The Man at the moment, to me it seems like a love letter and think that it is just so lovely yet somewhat sad at the same time. And finally two songs I will always adore on the album are All Of The Stars and Afire Love. They are so perfect and yeah, no words can describe them really. If you haven't got this album, I wonder how you have got through life without it because it really is fab - well done Ed, you made a masterpiece!

About Time
This is one of my favourite films ever. I always watch it when it is on Sky Movies and when nothing else is on. For me it is one of those films which you will never get bored of. I love the storyline and the acting is phenomenal. It has the most amazing mix and balance of romance and comedy, hence making it, in my opinion, one of the best romcoms out there. I watched it the other night with my mum and we had a good laugh. I just really like this, and recommend it to you if you want a good laugh or a good blubber.

So that is what I have been loving over the month of July. To be honest, there were a lot more items I wanted to include but this blog post would be never ending otherwise. Let me know what you have been loving over the past month as I am always looking to try new things. Also, do you like monthly faves posts? If so let me know and I'll do some more in the future as I love to look back over the past month and reflect on what I have been loving.

So until next time lovelies xx

Urban Decay Perversion Mascara - Review

Hello everyone,

So I thought I would treat you over the summer to a couple of midweek blog posts as I have a lot of bits and pieces that I want to get up asap.

When my mum was looking for something for me from Urban Decay, she was given a free sample of the Perversion mascara. And as you know by now, I wasn't a fan of fibre like brushes and so was apprehensive of using this. However the first time I used it I fell in love with it. I took it on holiday with me and have nearly used the mini one up as a result. Because of this, I decided to go back to the Urban Decay counter and have a bit of a splurge. However it left quite a big dent in my bank balance. Not having a high end mascara though made me feel that the purchase was justified. I think this product is gorgeous and if you haven't seen it before, take a look...

This mascara first of all has gorgeous packaging. It is a lovely size. Some people may say it is quite large and bulky, especially if you were going away, but I think that the size here doesn't matter. It has a lovely silver and purple metallic casing which really does add something to the contents of your makeup bag. I would happily take this on a night out also to reapply when needed, however this wouldn't actually be the case. To me this mascara would be great to take away on a holiday as it is multipurpose being great for both a daytime and evening look.

The amount of product which the mascara wand holds on it is perfect. It is a great all round product which is a need for all makeup lovers. With one application, it makes the lashes look so natural. It gives them a bit more length and just makes them look like 'my lashes but better'. This look is perfect for the daytime and for those who don't dare as much with their makeup. Using a few more applications though creates a more voluminous and lengthening look. It makes the lashes look more volumised and lengthened which is great for those with a daring daytime look or for a nighttime look.

I love using this product on a day-to-day basis. It is especially great for the summer. I pair it in the daytime with a peachy eye look. In the evening however I use it with my Naked palettes and create a daring smokey eye. I think Urban Decay eye products are all great and if you haven't yet tried the mascara, I would urge you to go to your nearest counter and either ask them for a sample or ask them to apply it on you to see how it looked on your eyes. Thats what I did. I had my whole face of makeup done on my local Urban Decay counter by the manager Sophie, who is amazing at smokey eye makeup by the way, and she used the Perversion mascara on me. I fell in love with it at an instant and am so happy that I bought it.

What are your experiences with the Perversion mascara? Or are you interested in buying it? Let me know in the comments below.

So until next time lovelies xx

No7 Products - Review

Hello everyone,

I hope you are enjoying the fact that my blog is back up and running again, I certainly am! However I am not enjoying the fact that I am writing this sitting in bed and wearing jogging bottoms and a jumper. Excuse me summer, where have you gone?!

So over the past few months, the lovely people from Boots have sent me a few different products to try. As you know by now, I am a sucker to try products, especially if I have been sent them free aha. I happened to go into my local Boots store and got chatting to a woman on the No7 counter. I mentioned to her that Boots had sent me something and she went on to tell me that I was one of a certain amount of people over the whole of the UK that Boots had sent these products to. So in April, May and June, I received a different, full sized No7 product through my letterbox. Here is what I got...

So as some of you will remember, I got the No7 advent calendar for the Christmas period last year and thoroughly enjoyed it. Some of the products were mini sized and I wanted to try them full sized. Two out of the three items I was sent were full sized versions of what I got in the advent calendar.

April: Midnight Lash Mascara

As most of you know, I am fussy when it comes to mascaras. I used to only really like wands which were plastic. As I tried the mini mascara at Christmas, I wasn't too blown away by it. However, trying the full sized one has opened my eyes up to it a bit more, and hasten to say, I am really liking this product. It is great to use on its own with one application for a great natural daytime look but can be built up for a great evening look too. I think this mascara is also great when doing a smokey eye look as it enhances the lashes immensely! If you are looking to get a new mascara, I would definitely encourage you to try this out.

May: Instant Illusions Airbrush Away Primer

I have tried a variety of different primers from a number of different brands before. Before being sent this one, I was using the Rimmel one which I have to say I love a lot. I had not tried the No7 primer before and was really intrigued to try it out. When I used it the first time I loved it and have loved using it ever since. You only need a small blob to apply on ares of the face where the base may get eaten up easily and then apply the foundation or whatever you use over the top. I love that it has a flip top lid so you dont have to try and screw a lid on with product on the back of your hand. I alternate my use of this with the Rimmel primer. It is great to use a primer during the summer months where your makeup may not last as long as you had hoped or expected. It is a nice size also to fit in a makeup bag - so there are no excuses girls!!

June: Youthful Eye Serum

Many people my age often think that skincare isnt too important as our skin is young. However, it wont be young forever and the best thing we can do is to preserve our skin to keep it looking younger for longer. I absolutely love the No7 skincare range. I got a mini version of this serum at Christmas and could definitely see a difference in my skin, so when I was sent the full sized version I was thrilled. Serums are seen to be one of those things which older people tend to use, but I think you can't start too early using these products. As I said, we want to protect and care for our skin. The more time we spend in looking after our skin, the less time we will need to spend on putting on makeup to hiding lines and blemishes etc. I would encourage that you look into skincare if you haven't done so already. No7 is a great place to start and there are different products for all ages.

So thank you to Boots for sending me these in the post. I have loved receiving them and trying them out. On the Boots website at the moment there is an offer to buy the eye serum and the primer as a set, so if you want to do that click the link HERE.

I have some more blog posts coming soon on some more No7 skincare which I have loved and tried. Do you use any No7 skincare or have anything else that you rave about, if so let me know please! If you have any questions about these products or would like to know more, feel free to comment below.

So until next time lovelies xx

The Body Shop Virgin Mojito Range

Hello everyone,

So before my summer holiday away to Center Parcs with my best friends, I decided to treat myself to some little bits from The Body Shop of which the smell would remind me of my summer holidays. So when I smelt the Virgin Mojito range, I fell in love and knew that it would be the smell of my summer. I decided to buy a small body butter and a body sorbet in the scent and have used them a lot so I thought I'd review each of them for you. 

The smell of this is so addictive. It is so fresh and smells so strongly of Mojito. It has such a lovely initial smell of the lime. It is so citrusy and makes you smell so lovely all day. The undertones of mint which come next are nice and fresh and perfect for the summer. I love using them in the morning as they wake you up and get you ready for the day.

The Body Shop Body Butters are something which I have not got on too well with in the past. I find them sometimes too thick to use which can make it off putting. After loving my most recent Pink Grapefruit one, I thought I would try out the Virgin Mojito one and I am so happy I did. Even though I only have the smaller size, it is perfect. It is a great size to fit into a washbag or a handbag to travel with. I find that using it in the morning really gets me going for the day. I am happy they do this in a small size as well as the regular one, but next time I go into The Body Shop I will be upgrading to the bigger size and getting my moneys worth.

I have never tried The Body Shop Body Sorbets before but I am so happy that the first one I tried was from the Virgin Mojito range. However the main thing that put me off was the texture. I understand that it is supposed to be a lot lighter than the Body Butters but I don't know if I will repurchase it when I have finished. I find it hard to rub in and feel that there is some sort of residue that is left after applying it. I love using a moisturiser before I get dressed and after a shower, but I don't think that the Body Sorbets are good enough for hydrating my skin.

So if you love fresh, citrusy, summery scents then this one is definitely for you. However this range is believed to be limited edition (excuse me whilst I cry) so once it's gone, it's gone. Hopefully there will be some left after I have stocked up haha. And for those of you who are under 18, don't worry, you don't need to show your ID to get your hands on it - so make the most of this sort of mojito!

If you have tried this lovely range I would love to hear what you think of it.

So until next time lovelies xx

Topshop Makeup Review

Hello everyone,

Look who's back, back again. I am so sorry for being absent for what seems like forever. The past 4 months have been hectic as I had my final A Level exams, which all in all means I have now finished school (we hope)! So much has happened beauty wise that I have a heck of a lot of things I want to review so I better get started eh?

Competitions in the beauty world are very hard to come across sometimes, let alone win. But I went in for one on Instagram and luckily won. The lovely people from Topshop sent me 7 great makeup items that I consider to be perfect for the summer. They are very glowy and great for both a daytime look and an evening look. So here is what I was sent...

I think that there is enough products here to use as a whole makeup look (without a base) so here is my summer look reviewing the products as I go along.

Glow Stick in Spotlight
This cream blush and highlight in one is one of the most natural looking summer items I have ever seen. I apply it straight from the stick onto the apples of my cheeks. It blends in so easily using either a brush or your fingertips. I have got it in the shade Spotlight and think it is a great product to use this summer; its not too creamy that it will slide off the face but it is creamy enough to apply straight from the stick onto the face, and then easy to blend out.

Brow Palette in Fetch
This brow kit has everything in it. It has a great wax and powder which both have a great formulation. You can use them separately or together when applying. It also has a brush, a tiny spoolie and a miniature pair of tweezers. Hence, this is a great product to pack in your makeup kit when you are going away as everything you need is in this little box (with gorgeous packaging may I add).

Glow Highlight in Gleam
I think that this product is multi-purpose. It is a great highlighter for the cheek and has the perfect amount of shimmer in it, but I also think it is a great cream eyeshadow. I think that because it is so creamy and easy to blend out, that it can be used on the eyes as a wash of colour or with other eyeshadows. It has quite a gold sheen to it which is really flattering on both the cheek and on the eye for all skin tones in my opinion.

Eyeshadow in Galaxy
When I first saw this eyeshadow I didn't think it would look at all nice on me. I thought it was too dark for my pale skin and blue eyes, but was I wrong! It is such a gorgeous shade for in the crease. It goes really well with the cream highlight for both a daytime and evening eye look. I would be more inclined to use it sparingly in the day but heavy at night as for me it can look like I have a black eye if it is too dark. It has great pigmentation which means you need very little on the brush. It is quite a handy size also to fit in a makeup bag. I would say that it is quite similar to MAC Sable so if you can't afford it, the Topshop one is a great dupe.

Kohl Eyeliner in Sable
Now most of you will know that I am not too keen on eyeliners, mainly due to the fact that I can't apply it very well. I tend to struggle with kohl eyeliners. Some are quite hard and hence I dont like to apply them. This one from Topshop however is great. It is a lovely colour and has a great formula. It is really easy to apply and the formulation of it means that it goes quite opaque quite quickly. I haven't got an eyeliner like this one and there is no doubt that once I have finished it I will repurchase it. Also, the packaging is gorgeous!

Doe Eyed Lashes Mascara in Black
I am fussy when it comes to eyeliners - you all know that! However, recently I have left my obsession with plastic wands behind me and now tend to use fibre style wands. When I first looked at the wand I thought that it wouldn't be for me, however I do really like it. It provides a great amount of product in one application for a natural, daytime look. This can be built up using multiple applications for a more voluminous and lengthening look which is perfect for the evening.

Lipstick in Nevada
I have a couple of other Topshop lipsticks and absolutely love everything about them. This one has the most gorgeous rose gold packaging which I fell in love with as soon as I saw it. However, the colour of the lipstick is definitely not for me. I personally think it looks a lot more like a concealer than a lipstick. The only way I can wear it and make it work is by using it as a base and putting a gloss over the top, whether that be a clear gloss or a coloured gloss. I think this lipstick is more creamy in texture than my others so I might have to purchase another in this packaging to see if the formulation as a whole is different.

So this is my natural daytime look which I have been loving at the moment and I'm sure I will continue to love it for the rest of the summer. I think Topshop makeup is great so if you haven't yet tried it, you are definitely missing out!

Thank you Topshop for sending me these lovely items, I will continue to use them and love them. And remember everyone, next time there is a competition, don't not enter because you think you won't win - be persistent and optimistic!

So until next time lovelies xx

Me Time Tag

Hello everyone,

Sorry I haven't posted for the past fortnight, I’ve been very busy with school and half term, then all of a sudden Sunday evening came around and I hadn’t written a blog post. This week I thought I’d do another tag as I have enjoyed all the others I have done so far. So lets begin…

1. What do you like to watch or read during me time?

I love watching loads of things during me time. I love watching YouTube videos, especially ViviannaDoesMakeup, Hannah Maggs and the Shaytards. I also pretty much love anything on Netflix particularly New Girl and Orange Is The New Black. And of course F.R.I.E.N.D.S.! I don’t tend to read that much but depending on my mood I might crack open a book.

2. What do you wear during me time?

Anything comfortable! Normally either my pyjamas or a warm snuggly jumper and jogging bottoms. Oh and fluffy socks of course. I mean, who can’t live without fluffy socks?!

3. What are your favourite me time beauty products?

I love having a bath so using anything from Lush is always good for me. I also love face packs if I’m in the mood whether they're from the drugstore in a tube or a clay mask from Lush. I have also really been loving using Liz Earle products to cleanse my face and give it what I call a ‘mini facial’. You can read about those products HERE.

4. Current favourite nail polish?
This is an easy one for me. I am wearing it now on my fingernails and toenails. This is the Barry M Nail Polish in Vintage Violet. This is a perfect colour for all year round and can look great with casual outfits or for something a bit smarter. It is a great nail varnish if you're in a rush to go out or to fix a chip.

5. What do you eat or drink during me time?
I tend to eat a mix of savoury and sweet things during me time. I love Thai Sweet Chilli Crisps and anything chocolatey is also good. These on their own or a combination of the two is great. And for drinking, its either got to be a cup of tea or a glass of wine. Both of them are good by me. 

6. Current favourite candle?

This is tricky for me. With candles I don't tend to have favourites. I like to try different things all the time. I really love tea lights as they make everything look pretty. Scented and unscented tea lights tend to always be on in my room. I also like the Fairy Dust candle the best I think for smells. I have used a few of these and they are just such a lovely treat which smell lovely and last for ages. The tin is also cute to use when the candle is all burnt out. 

7. Do you ever have outdoor me time?

I tend to spend most of my me time in my bed alone. Sometimes though I like to go on a walk. Putting my headphones in and going for a walk around where I live makes me happy and forget about crap that's going on. Sometimes I go for a run in the morning with my mum and I would say this is a bit of me time too. 

8. Would you ever go and watch a film alone?

Aha I wish. I would love to have the confidence to do this but I would be too scared to go on my own, especially if I saw people I knew. I don't have much time or money to go to the cinema anymore. I also don't have anyone really to go with so that kind of puts me off going to see films which I want to go and see. 

9. Favourite online shop?

If it's clothes shopping, I like to look on H&M or New Look the most because that tends to be where most of my wardrobe comes from. Beauty wise, it has to be Space NK, MAC or Boots I think. I love shopping online, or at least browsing for new beauty things. Amazon is also a great place to online shop and browse. I could spend hours looking at new books, beauty items, CDs etc. I spend way too much time online browsing or shopping for new things! 

10. What else do you do during me time?

I just like to spend the time doing what I want really. I love talking to my friends so a Skype call, a phone call or just a long texting conversation is always good by me. Also listening to music and having some devotional time, being a Christian, is always something I like to spend me time doing. 

I hope you liked this tag. I found it online and thought it was something different. I love doing tags so if you find some others let me know. Or feel free to contact me and send me questions you would like me to answer. Also, if you complete this tag, I'd love to read your responses. 

So until next time lovelies xx