Most Recent MAC Purchase

Hello everyone,

When in a Cambridge a few weeks ago for a Philosophy conference, I decided to pop into MAC. There is one rule I always have to adhere to - whenever I am somewhere with a MAC I have to go and treat myself to something. In a way I am quite happy that we don't have a MAC in Bury otherwise I would be very very poor all of the time.

As its getting colder and makeup looks are changing, I did some research for some things which I would use both in winter but also in the summer if needed. And of course when I go to MAC what do I head straight for? Well take a guess then have a look...

Originally the plan was to buy a lip liner and lipstick to go together and form a good combination but when I found these products that plan went out of the window. After seeing many bloggers rave about this lip liner I just had to treat myself to it. I am excited to use it as either a lip liner with another lipstick or as a lip base on its own. The lip liner is a gorgeous wine and autumny shade and the lipstick is a vibrant shade suitable for all year round.

I just really love MAC lip products and with my growing collection I think that is obvious to most people. Every time I look on the MAC website I go straight for the lipsticks and I have a very long list of lip products on my phone which I love. I really am a lip product addict aren't I?

Impassioned is a lovely pinky coral colour which is very vibrant. I am all up for a vibrant lip so it is definitely well up my street! It isn't like the usual pinky coral, it is deep and sensuous. I have worn it a few times on different occasions - once when talking constantly for a few hours, once at school and once for dinner one day and I have to say that on all occasions it was very long lasting and nourishing. It has such a creamy formula like all the MAC lipsticks and I feel that they are always very nourishing. The pigmentation is amazing as well and you don't have to layer it up to make it opaque, it is a very quick and easy lipstick to use for a bold lip. I really think it looks good on my fair complexion but I think it would suit a variety of skin tones, especially olive skin. I also think it looks good with my blue eyes which is why I always tend to go for pinky coral shades. Finally it has a slight satin finish so it looks matte but isn't at all drying.

Beet lip liner however is something completely different! I have recently got into wearing lip liners and wanting to try a variety as a lip liner or as a lip base. I hadn't got a wine coloured one so when I heard about this I was on a mission to get it. I think lip liners are brilliant to use as they prevent the lipstick from bleeding out onto the skin. Before I use it as a base I have to apply a lip balm because it does need some moisture to blend well. It looks really good on the lips but I do find it quite drying. Because of this I then tend to apply lip balm over the top to moisturise and to prevent it from smudging and therefore making it very long lasting. Unfortunately MAC lip liners as I have found out don't sharpen very well so I use it sparingly so it doesn't need too much sharpening. I think this looks really good with burgundy or wine coloured lipsticks like the Rimmel Kate Matte Lipstick in 107. I think that Beet is a brilliant name for this lip liner as it really is a beetroot like colour. I just love it so much and think it goes well with any makeup look!

So those were my recent MAC purchases. Let me know if you are as much of a MAC addict as me and let me know your favourite MAC products - especially if they're lipsticks!!

So until next time lovelies xx

The Christmas Tag - Part 1

Hello everyone,

So after doing the Autumn Tag on Sunday, I have decided to do another tag and what better one to do than the Christmas Tag. Because there are lots of Christmassy questions, I have decided to answer 5 questions for you all each week. So lets begin with part 1...

When do you finally feel that Christmas is coming?
I feel that Christmas is coming when many things happen: when our town puts the Christmas trees up, when the Christmas Fayre comes into town, when Christmas jumpers come back into fashion, when the John Lewis advert comes on TV, when Christmas songs come on the radio, when my parents buy mince pies - the list is endless! I am just so excited for Christmas and all that comes with it.

When do you start to wear Christmas jumpers?
I have already begun to wear my Christmas jumpers. I tend to start wearing them at the end of November to get my use out of them. I will continue to wear them til February because as I said, I want to get my moneys worth out of them and jumpers are so lovely to wear, Christmas ones are even better!!

What is top of your Christmas list this year?
I have a beauty related list this year of course. There are quite a few items from MAC including a lipstick palette which I really hope I get. There are also some items from Lush including Snow Fairy which I am hoping for from Father Christmas. But I have to say that top of my Christmas list would have to be an external hard drive. I have filled my Macbook's hard drive up after only 3 months of having it so I need some more space.

Do you prefer Christmas Pudding or Mince Pies?
I love both of these! I will eat many mince pies from the middle of November all the way up to the end of January. But I do think that I prefer Christmas pudding. On Christmas day and around the festive season, I eat endless amounts of Christmas pudding. I would probably say that I eat a third of a large Christmas pudding on Christmas Day. I really love Christmas pudding!!

When do you start your Christmas shopping?
Normally I start my Christmas shopping in early November but I have been late this year. I have only just started my Christmas shopping properly. Mum's birthday is on the 4th December so usually I have her presents sorted for both her birthday and Christmas but I have to confess, I only got her birthday present this weekend and I haven't yet sorted her Christmas present oops. I do love Christmas shopping though. I enjoy getting presents for people and then giving them to see their response.

So thats part 1 of the Christmas Tag. Answer the questions on your blogs or down in the comments. Expect part 2 the same time next week.

So until next time lovelies xx

Easy Peasy Craft 1

Hello everyone,

So I thought about explaining an easy way to make your room or any room look nice. It is a cheap and safe candle alternative. This is just a simple craft that can be done by anyone of all ages to make a place look nice. When I was helping to lead the craft, we were making them with 18 month - 4 year olds. But I really enjoyed making this craft for our living room for the Winter months.

So how do you turn this...

Into this?...

You will need:

 A glass jar (any size), a glue stick, some translucent coloured materials (cut into squares), a battery operated candle

This is very very easy:

1. Make sure the label from the jar has been taken off and there is no sticky stuff on the outside of the jar
2. Put a thick layer of glue all around the jar right to the edges
3. Stick the cut up translucent coloured materials all over the jar. Choose whichever colours you think go the best for wherever you want to situate it (I chose dark autumnal colours to suit the season)
4. Leave it to dry for a few minutes before starting a second layer - but here you will need to place the glue on the material then stick it on the existing materials
5. Do as many layers as you like until you are happy with it then place the battery operated candle in it and turn the lights off to set the mood and make the room seem lovely 

Ta-dah! You should have something like this...

This is just such an easy thing to do with family and friends. I think they look really good for this time of year and they are something that can be left on without the worry that it will catch alight. People of all ages will like this craft and it is a good thing to occupy little ones as well as older ones in the holidays or weekends or just to pass the time on a cold winter's evening.

If you choose to make this, please send me a picture on twitter. Also comment down below any craft ideas you have for me to do, I have limited capability but I'm up for trying anything.

So until next time lovelies xx

Something A Bit Different - The Autumn Tag

Hello Everyone,

So I have been recently looking at other people's blogs looking for ideas and inspiration for blog posts. I found one called 'The Autumn Tag' and of course what better time to complete this as Autumn is drawing to a close and Winter is about to cast itself upon us (I know, its December tomorrow!!). There are a right mixture of questions ranging from beauty to lifestyle. I thought I would do this tag so you can all get to know me a bit better. So lets begin...

Favourite thing about Autumn?
Autumn is probably my least favourite season of the four but there are some very special things about Autumn. I really love going on walks in the day and in the evening whether this be on my own or with friends/family. It makes me feel like I'm in a movie and in my own little world. Both so significant but so small at the same time. Leaves falling off the trees in a variety of different shades is what makes the walks the best for me. Walking through wet or dry leaves in boots makes me feel like a child again.

Favourite drink?
Well I will drink a very weak cup of tea any day all year round and my tea obsession increases a lot in Autumn. I also tend to drink more glasses of milk because I think they help refresh and cleanse the body. It is hard to keep hydrated in the winter and I think milk really helps with that. I always look out for the christmas drinks at Starbucks and Costa each year to find my favourite. This years favourite for me is the Costa Sticky Toffee Latte. I also really like the Peppermint Chocolate Cooler from Starbucks. This was in their christmas range last year but you can get it all year round which makes me very excited. Alcohol wise, my favourite drinks have to be Bucks Fizz on christmas day and of course warm mulled wine. Mum and I are obsessed with it and I love to drink it during the Winter months to feel warm and festive. I wish it was acceptable to drink it all year round.

Favourite scent/candle?
This is a pretty easy one for me I think. I don't like spicy scents like cinnamon and because most christmas candles tend to have this scent I found it hard to find the perfect candle for me. But a few years ago I found the Yankee Candle Christmas Cookie candle range and I have to have it burning at christmas. It reminds me of past christmases when I light it and it makes me look forward to christmases to come. Each year we buy mum the massive candle jar for her birthday to burn in the kitchen and I love it so much I want to steal it. It is so sweet but not sickly and I just love it so much!

Best lipstick?
No I didn't add this question in for me! But goodness this is a hard one to answer. If I think about what my go to lipstick is in the Winter months it has got to be the Rimmel Kate Matte Lipstick in 107. It is the perfect Autumn/Winter shade which stays for ages and has a perfect matte finish but moisturises the lips. Also at £5.49 it is a steal not to buy it!

Go to moisturiser?
I have such a variety of moisturisers which I use in the Autumn/Winter months. I will ale sure that my face is moisturised and hydrated before I put any makeup on it. If my face is dry then it throws my makeup look off. I tend to use either Avon’s Rich Moisture face cream which constantly nourishes my skin and is a great moisturiser to use which isn’t that expensive either. If I don’t use this however, I will go to one of two higher end moisturisers. I really like the Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+ as it is really hydrating. I need two pumps maximum to make my skin feel fully hydrated. It is the perfect moisturiser to use for both daytime and nightime skincare. My other high end pick is Benefit’s Triple Performing Facial Emulsion. I love the bottle for this and think that the quality of the moisturiser is my favourite by far. I do however need a substantial amount for it to fully hydrate my skin but I would definitely recommend it.

Go to colour for the eyes?
Well for me this is an easy one. I am a sucker for everything burgundy as most of you probably know so burgundy is always an autumnal option for the eyes whether it’s for a daytime or evening look. However, you have to work with it well otherwise you can look like you have just come out of a punch-up. I tend to use burgundy shades with either bronze and champagne like colours to highlight the eyes and make them look more awake or I will use burgundy with brown and beige shades for a more sultry look which can be for either daytime or evening looks.

Favourite music to listen to?
Well in our house we start to get ready for christmas at the beginning of November so we tend to have christmas music on from then. But when I go out walking with my headphones in or am in the mood for some music, I will put on something with meaning and with a slower melody as I guess this is the time where I do a lot of my thinking and contemplating life and all the good and bad that occurs within it. If I am going to a party or whatever then my music taste changes and I go for Top 40, Indie, Party Trash kind of music. So basically I will probably love whatever comes on next on my iPod shuffle.

Autumn treat?
Well my idea of a nice treat is of course a shopping trip. I love to try new things and especially buy them. I will tend to buy something I already have plenty of, for example dark and matte lipsticks! I love going shopping with my gran when I haven’t spent time with her for a while and she tends to buy me a few new items of clothing for school. This pretty much always includes a jumper and in the Autumn/Winter months, who can turn down a jumper? I tend to feel the cold and the idea of a new jumper to add to my collection excites me immensely.

Favourite place to be?
My favourite place to be in the cold, dark, wintery, autumnal months of course has to be my bed. There are little places where I like to visit in the autumnal months but I just don’t think that anywhere can beat my bed. I love getting in from school, having a shower, getting into my pyjamas, getting into bed and having a cup of tea. The only downside to this is that once I’m in bed, I don’t want to leave.

So these are my answers to ‘The Autumn Tag’. If you have a blog please answer these questions. It can bring a time of reflection over the lovely Autumn we’ve had as we enter Winter.

After many exciting things coming up in December and recently trying new products and rediscovering old ones, I have so many blog posts planned. Because of this, I have decided to upload a lot more recently in December. I can’t promise that there will be a new post everyday but I will try and do what I can to post regularly. So keep your eyes peeled for these. It's beginning to look a lot like christmas so who's excited?!

So until next time lovelies xx

My Top 3 - Burgundy Nail Varnishes

Hello everyone,

Sorry I didn't post yesterday, I was up in Nottingham all weekend and wasn't able to write and post in time. It's the end of November, and I feel its time to get a bit more festive and embrace the best autumnal colour - burgundy!

So in these Autumn/Winter months, I change my beauty and skincare routines and the products I use within them. This includes nail varnishes. In the spring and summer months I am a sucker for pretty pastel colours and some bright gel like nails. At this time of year however I get very excited not just because I start to feel festive but for another reason - burgundy nail varnishes are in!

If you know me, you will know I am a sucker for all things burgundy whether this be jumpers, scarves, lipsticks (of course) and nail varnishes. Because of this, I own about 10 different burgundy nail varnishes and being honest with you, if I applied a different one on each nail it would probably be very hard to tell which nail varnish was which. But I do have three favourite burgundy nail varnishes which I go back to using all the time...

Barry M Raspberry, Avon Nailwear Pro+ Cherry Jubilee, Revlon Parfumerie Bordeaux

Firstly, I am going to begin with my favourite and first Barry M nail varnish. I got this last year some time and for Christmas requested every berry/red/purple toned nail varnish after falling in love with it so much (and so quickly!) This is the Barry M Nail Polish Paint in 273 Raspberry...

It is just such a great product which I return to every time I need to paint my nails a lovely burgundy colour. First of all, it is so cheap! £2.99 for a nail varnish which lasts for ages and is just such great quality is nothing. I mean I am a sucker for more expensive nail varnishes like Essie or Nails Inc or Sally Hansen or OPI but Barry M have such an array of colours, there is something for everyone. They are often on 3 for 2 or buy one get one half price too so when I go into town, I always look in Boots and Superdrug to see if I can be tempted to buying a new one (and yes I tend to do this). Even though they are long lasting, they are easy to remove if you're in a rush.

It is a really nice shade of burgundy that looks good when in jogging bottoms, jeans, or on a night out. It is also a shade which looks good on both fingernails and toenails. I don't think its pigmentation does it justice though. It is quite watery and you need about four or five coats to make it look good enough to go out but when it is complete, it looks so professional and high quality. It also is really fast drying and I think that this is because of the watery formula. It is a lovely red colour but with pink undertones which makes it look like a perfect autumnal burgundy. The brush is a good size to apply the polish and not too flimsy.

The next nail varnish which I use a lot is the Avon Nailwear Pro+ in Cherry Jubilee...

These nail varnishes are all round brilliant. They have amazing pigmentation and formula and this is consistent throughout all Avon nail varnishes. It only really requires two coats for it to go opaque and become wearable for a night out. It is so easy to apply and doesn't leave streaks or stripes on the nail. It is very durable and therefore hard to chip but depending on the level of work you complete, it may vary. I think that this is because of the acrylic gel it includes in the ingredients to enhance strength. It claims to have 12 days of lasting colour and I have to agree 100% that the colour is brilliant.

The Avon Nailwear Pro+ nail varnishes work wonders on the strength of my nails. My nails are weak and brittle and peel all the time but this formula of nail varnish does wonders to improve my nails. It is a good size bottle and has lasted me a long time as the nail varnish is thick enough that you don't have to keep reapplying more coats to build up the colour or prevent chips. Once again, this is a good shade to wear on both fingernails and toenails. The only downside of this product is that it does take a bit of time to dry otherwise it will smudge a lot or leave that fabric imprint in the nail. I also own Avon's nail varnish in Tweed which is a bit darker and I love that too but I feel that Cherry Jubilee is easier to work with and can be worn with pretty much everything regardless of occasion. At £6 I will continue to buy it forever!

Finally, the newest burgundy nail varnish I own. This is Revlon's Parfumerie Scented Nail Enamel in Bordeaux...

This is one of my top 3 burgundy nail varnishes but it nearly didn't make the cut. I feel that there are many problems with this nail varnish but because of a few really good advantages, I put it in my top 3. Lets talk about the cons first. First of all I would have to say that this is the thinest and wateriest nail varnish I own. The formula is so hard to work with. As soon as you apply it to your nails, it runs straight down and leaves a pool of colour near the cuticle. It also needs a lot of coats to finally become opaque. Another reason I bought it was because of some apparent scent it was supposed to have but I don't really see it as any different to other nail varnishes. I don't think spending £6.49 on it for the scent was truly a brilliant idea as I am disappointed. But when I wear it I do get many compliments which make me realise there was a good purchase made. I only tend to wear it on my fingernails as I don't think it is the best shade to wear on toenails.

This nail varnish is so quick drying though and this is the best thing about it because when having to apply endless coats, it needs to dry fast otherwise you would be painting your nails all night and wouldn't therefore be able to go out. The brush for this I would have to say is my favourite part of the product. The handle is so easy to hold and even with its obscure shape, it is easy to control and enables the nails to be painted evenly and efficiently. The brush is also good but not one of the best I have seen. It also doesn't need a topcoat which saves on time. The colour of this nail varnish is very similar to a lot of others out there both cheaper and expensive but it would be up to you whether or not to try this product as it may work out better for you than it does for me.

So that was my top 3 burgundy nail varnishes that I love and tend to go back to. If you don't own at least one of these in your nail varnish collection, then you are missing out big time! Let me know any of your favourite burgundy nail varnishes as I am always looking to purchase more, especially at this time of year.

So until next time lovelies xx

Mid-week Mini Review 2

Hello everyone,

Sorry I haven't done a MWMR in a while, school life is manic and everything that comes with it is too making everything stressful. But I thought I would do a skincare review. This week however isn't a facial skincare review, but a body skincare review. As its getting to the wintery cold and dryer months, it means my skin really suffers. So when I get out of the shower or bath, I want to get straight into my pyjamas but before I can do that I always like to moisturise. Now I get very stressed about the moisturiser I use. It can't be too thick but it also needs to maintain the moisture and by this I mean soak into the skin and not leave a residue but moisturise (enough rambling there).

So when I found the Garnier Body Intensive 7 Days Hydrating Lotion, I immediately fell in love...

I have had many variations of this moisturising body lotion but I think that this aloe vera one is my favourite. It has a really fresh scent perfect for early morning or late evening. This is just the best body lotion I think I have ever found. And whats best about it is the price. It is around £3 from Boots and Superdrug for 250ml which I think is a bargain. It is often on offer too which is always a good thing. And sometimes its cheaper to buy the larger 400ml size which I have used up many times.

My favourite thing about this is that it literally ticks all the criteria I need for a body lotion. It is the right consistency and you don't have to scoop it out of a tub or force it out of a tube. It also really moisturises your hands when applying it. Any excess left from applying it to your legs or wherever can be used on your hands as a hand cream substitute. I wouldn't apply this on my face but on everywhere else, it works wonders.

When applying it it can easily be applied without having to rub it in a lot and spending ages wafting around your room before your can put your pyjama bottoms on or whatever. I especially love to use it on a night out after shaving my legs as it makes them feel extra silky smooth and I feel very chic and sophisticated and just like a lady, especially when wearing heels!

But I just really think that this is a great product. Don't think that it can only be used in the winter months though. I use it all year round and sometimes change the smell of it depending on the season. It isn't one of those moisturisers which you then have to sweat off and goes all sticky in the summer. I love the absorption of this product and think that it would suit all skin types. It is especially good if you have run out of time and need a quick and easy body lotion. It absorbs really quickly but is by far the most moisturising and nourishing product out there I think. And at £3 its a steal not to buy it!

So until next time lovelies xx

Autumnal Perfume Favourites - Avon

Hello everyone,

Sorry for the lack of blog posts this week again. I think that for now it may only be one a week but if you're lucky, you may be treated to a few more.

As we are nearing winter and the seasonal festivities, I thought that I would begin to do some of my favourite products which I love in the Autumn/Winter months. So this week it is perfume and where better to get affordable perfumes from than Avon. So I have chosen my top 5 Avon perfumes for this time of year...

 Left to right: Rare Diamonds, Far Away Bella, Little Black Dress, Far Away, Christian Lacroix Ambre

All of these perfumes are of good quality and range from £7.50-£20 when at full price. So to start us off, the newest find in my collection, Christian Lacroix Ambre...

This is one of Avon's newest perfume launches. This is a scent that both my mum and I really like wearing. Because of this people may think that I go round smelling like older women but actually I think this scent really suits all ages. It has a citrus but caramel-y tone which really reminds me of events like bonfire night and everything which goes with them like toffee apples and mulled wine at Christmas. When wearing it, I feel sophisticated and very woman like. I just also love the bottle. I think its the perfect autumnal bottle. The only downside to it is that the bottle is very heavy, so if you want to keep in in your handbag prepare to have a very heavy handbag! This is one of Avon's most expensive perfumes which they have  at £20 so it is pricey for them, but I definitely think its worth it for a really nice sophisticated and autumnal perfume.

Next up are two perfumes which can be bought in a 50ml size or the travel size of 30ml which I have. These are Far Away and Little Black Dress...

This perfume is one that I have wanted for ages but when I bought it, I was very apprehensive of the scent. It is definitely an acquired scent and I would say that it is more for the older woman than for someone my age so it may be one to purchase for your mum or nan for Christmas. But when I wear it, I do get compliments so it can't be too bad can it? It has a smell of chai which I strongly associate with this time of year which is why I like it I guess. It also has a hint of musk. The 50ml bottle is beautiful but I think that the travel size bottles are very good because they are small and light enough to carry in your handbag, but not too small that you have to keep repurchasing one all the time.

Little Black Dress however I would have to say is my all time favourite Avon perfume, especially for this time of year. It is more of an evening out scent which yes you would probably wear with a little black dress. This has been out for years but it is so popular from Avon customers and I go back to it time and time again when I want a classic scent to wear to school, on a night out or even just to Tesco. It has an oriental fragrance which is very sophisticated and like Far Away has a musk scent too. It has many floral undertones too like jasmine, gardenia and honeysuckle which make it easy to wear all year round. I have bought this as a gift for many friends, teachers and family members and everyone seems to love it.

Both of these travel sizes cost £7.50 full price but are always on offer. The 50ml size of Far Away costs £13 full price and so does Little Black Dress.

The next of my favourite perfumes is Far Away Bella...

This is a very fruity scent which I enjoy wearing more in the day than in the evening. It has the fruity scent of citrus fruits with floral undertones of magnolia. I would say that this fragrance is more suited to younger people like teenagers and young adults rather than adults in general because the scent isn't as sophisticated as many other Avon perfumes. I think this bottle is very unique and very easy to hold. It is also lightweight and a good staple to have in your handbag. This perfume costs £13 for 50ml but if you want to try it, you can buy a purse spray suitable for a clutch bag or a smaller size of 15ml for £6. 

The final perfume I love and have repurchased very recently is Rare Diamonds...

This perfume is another one of mine and my mum's favourites. It has a very rich scent of blossom and orchid. I like to wear this on a special daytime occasion or when going out in the evening. I think it is quite sensual and romantic and think that it makes every outfit complete. Many people say this is a floral fragrance but I think it has more of a fresh but amber like scent. I absolutely love this bottle but I think it can be a bit tacky with the diamond. It is also heavy so I wouldn't personally carry it around in my handbag. This perfume at 50ml also costs £13 which I think it a really good price for a special occasion perfume.

So those were my favourite perfumes for this time of year. I think it Avon perfumes last well throughout the day and night and there is definitely a different fragrance for everyone and there will be something for everyone. Every girl loves a perfume and if you're looking to buy one for a special someone, I would definitely look at the Avon ones, especially if you can't afford more high-end perfumes.

Let me know if you've tried any Avon perfumes and what your other favourite perfumes are.

So until next time lovelies xx