November Glossybox Drop!

Apologies, apologies, APOLOGIES! For my tardy post. To find out why I’ve been so quiet recently, read this post!

Aaaaanyway! A pretty good effort on the Glossybox front this month, I can officially confirm I have used every product in the box, and there’s only one that I genuinely think – What’s this for?

Glossybox Booty!

 

So, without further ado (because you’ve already waited long enough), here’s what’s in the box.

LOLLIPOPS MAKE UP – Eye Pencil

Leopard Print for Cats Eyes!

 

It was revealed that we would be receiving this product before the box came out, and I thought Hmmm, that’s annoying, I’ve just bought a MAC one! However, this retractable pencil makes a great day time alternative to my glittery MAC number.

This eye pencil

“Contains Vitamin E with anti-ageing and anti-radical action.”

It is smooth to apply and doesn’t irritate, so I would say the above is working well. It lasts on the skin pretty well, I use it on my waterline and barely have to reapply, which is a great bonus! I really like the pink and gold leopard print packaging too, which gives it a bit of a luxe feel. Additionally, no sharpener required!

FULL SIZE, €14

Burt’s Bees – Lip Shine

Buzzing for Burt’s Bees!

I don’t really use glosses, as I prefer Lipsticks (see here), but I have heard great things about Burt’s Bees. If you like a gloss you won’t be disappointed with this product.  I received the Lip Shine in the colour Blush/Roughe timide, which gives a really subtle, barely there colour, but giving enough shine to create a plumping effect. As the colour is so slight, this product might work well over matte lipsticks to give them some shine (I’ll try it out).

The gloss is
“Enriched with moisturising Apricot wax”

And you can feel the moisture as the gloss slides on. What I think is great is that the gloss isn’t sticky and is really long lasting – I applied it before a yoga class yesterday and it stayed on throughout the hour and a half. Their is a slight sweet taste/fragrance which isn’t too sickly, but not necessarily to my liking – possibly apricot?  I would definitely recommend this to any gloss lover, however, I’d have rather have received a Burt’s Bees lip balm (not that they were available!).

FULL SIZE, £6.99

Umberto Giannini – Miracle Worker

Workin’ Miracles?

 

On my product card this hair treatment is labelled as ‘for you’, I did have to wonder why as the product is described as able to transform

“the most dry, frizy coarse hair”

Which I do not have.  However, as I’ve always wanted to try Argan Oil, which this contains, I thought I’d give it a go. I applied this product to wet hair, and left my hair to dry naturally as I’m trying to avoid blow drying it. I was pleasantly surprised with how silky and smooth my hair felt when it was dry. The only downside is the product can leave my hair feeling a bit heavy and slightly greasy at the roots. A great full size product from Glossybox too!

FULL SIZE, £8

H20+ – Face Oasis Hydrating Treatment

My New Fave!

JUST WHAT I NEEDED! I have these blasted lines on my forehead (because I have such an expressive face, obvs) and under my eyes, and they really distress me.

The Face Oasis Hydrating Trreatment
“Delivers deep hydration while minimising the appearance of fine lines”

I have noticed a difference on application, my lines aren’t fine so I don’t expect miracles, but I hope by continuing to use this I will see a more long lasting effect. Despite its £27.50 price tag for 50ml, it might be worth the investment. It also feels quite cooling as its a gel, so it great for soothing under eyes after a long day.

Sample Size
FULL SIZE, 50ml, £27.50

MONU Skincare – Refining Capri Facial Oil

Gingery and Warming = Autumnal Facials

Now, this is the product where I thought, What’s this for?

This product is described as an

“Invigorating facial oil to balance oily skin and decongest pores”

Perhaps the fact that I don’t have oily skin is why I don’t understand this product. It smells great – gingery- and it feels luxurious and warming when applied, however,  I don’t feel any benefit to my skin. A bonus while I have the product though is that it does feel like I’m giving myself a facial. However, I won’t be investing in the product.

Sample Size
Full Size, 100ml, £26

 

Since receiving November’s Glossybox I’ve continued to use every product – even the Facial Oil, which is a first! Well done Glossbox, a top notch box totalling over £25 (not the most value for money box, but I’ve not calculated the sample sizes in to this). Based on this month I can’t wait to receive December’s – I hope its Christmassy!

I saw some great hair products in other Glossyboxes – how was yours?

Hack Monday- Hack #3 – Turn Your Glossy Lipstick Into Matte

Apologies for the missed hack! I did attempt to do this last week and then the pictures didn’t come out well, then I got ill! I’m still ill and the pics still aren’t clear enough so I shall try to take some more in day light!

This hack takes you from having one lippie to two! You can’t go wrong!

Here’s what you’ll need:

A lip scrub or primer- not essential but it will help

Scrub-a-dub-dub!

Your favourite glossy lipstick

4 of my fave glossies, Cherry Glaze, Verve, Rebel, & Violetta

Loose Powder

Control that shine!

Here’s how to turn your fave glossy lipstick in to your fave matte lipstick!

(Again, apologies for the pictures, I’ve got a stinker of a cold and no other make up on! ‘Mare! I will try to update them soon!)

First prime your lips. I’ve used the Etre Belle Lip Peel to scrub away any dead skin and to leave my lips smooth and plumped.

Prep & Prime

To make your lip colour really stand out you can now apply a little concealer or foundation to the lip, but I skipped this step.

Next, apply your glossy lipstick.

I used my Autumnal fave – Verve

Now, apply the loose powder (I used Seventeen’s Miracle Matte Loose Powder) on to your lips. I find sweeping the powder across the lip rather than dabbing creates the matte effect without lightening the colour.

Apply with a sweeping motion (apologies for chipped nails!)

If the colour has lightened up too much apply another layer of lipstick and then the powder again.

Voila! Your lips are Matte!

I have found the 17 powder does lighten the colour of the lipstick a little possible because it’s got a slightly fleshy colour, next time, I’ll try to find an even more translucent colour.

The results with Violetta (top), and Rebel (bottom)

I love matte lips so I will definitely keep practising this look, and it creates that 90s vibe that’s still knocking about. However, I don’t think the powder I used is the best one for this.

I found the tutorial by @beksays_ on Instagram really useful, and her video is much better than my pictures!

Have you tried this Hack? Let me know if you found it effective!

My Holiday Haul… and some!

I think rediscovering my credit card pin is one of the biggest mistakes of my life… or triumphs.

When I was in Ibiza it was virtually essential that I came back with some European wears – it would be rude not to!

Ibizan Shopping!

Pull & Bear

Ok, so this brand might be knocking about the UK, but there’s not a store near me. It had a very boho/rustic vibe, here’s what I picked up…

 

I’ve been after a tartan/plaid shirt recently and liked the contrasting pockets on this one which is a little different. There’s also some fringing on the back which is fun. I like wearing this as a jacket as opposed to a shirt, particularly over a black dress, tights, and boots.

I saw this faux suede number on a mannequin just as I was about to leave the store, I didn’t even try it on properly because I was to afeared of navigating myself to the right changing room. I like to style this with a belt as its a bit of a sack dress, and with my big booty its not necessarily flattering. Cinching it in with a belt, however, turns it in to more of a fit and flare, and I’ve received lots of compliments that way. I’ve been teaming this with bare legs and black boots for a boho style. An added bonus is the pockets (which you can’t see)  on the front – I love a good pocket!

Stradivarius

I’d not heard of this brand before but I am very chuffed I found it in Ibiza town, a little bit like H & M it had some fab items, I could have spent a fortune.

I have a feeling this denim jacket is going to be a staple of mine for a long time. The acid wash denim biker cut combines so many different fashion wins. I love wearing this with simple black, be it a dress and boots, or jeans, a vest, and flats, to really let the jacket do the talking

Monochrome faux fur is so in right now, and when I tried this long gillet on I really couldn’t resist. I love the length, the pockets (love me a pocket), and the fabric is so soft… I CAN’T STOP STROKING MYSELF. Ideal for keeping warm, but I need to invest in some basic long sleeve tops to wear it with.

Kiko

When I passed Kiko I thought it was essential to pick up something to see what the hype was about. I would have liked to have purchased something from their Ace of Diamonds range but I didn’t want to spend too much money.

I read that purple eye make up makes green eyes pop so after much deliberation I picked this purple liquid liner. Its really easy to apply – even easier than my usual MAC kiquid liner, the colour is strong but not to bold, and it lasts all day. Make up win.

I wish I’d have picked up these amazing make up remover wipes in Kiko – they were ridged so worked like an exfoliant  and removed make up so quickly.

MAC

I was in the need of a new pencil eyeliner, which I should have just got in duty free. I saw Rihanna’s Viva Glam Lipstick in a pale nudey- gold colour, I should have got it because its sold out in my local MAC- Doh!

I like that this black eye pencil, in Black Swan,  has a little glitter to it, so its a little different when applied to my waterline than an ordinary black liner. As usual with MAC, it has good staying power too.

The Hard Rock Cafe – Rock Shop

 

I couldn’t resist picking up a new badge for my jacket, it was the whole reason I ventured in to Ibiza town on my own!

Hippy Market

I couldn’t go to the Hippy Market and not come back with something you couldn’t get on the UK high street. As well as picking up a leather wallet for my dad and a pair of amethyst  earrings for my mum, I came home with these:

 

This bracelet is made of brass, I believe, and the stones are moonstone. The metal is maliable so you can reshape it to fit.

 

I picked up this bracelet as it matches a necklace I own, cute!

 

Back in the UK

I think I have a shopping problem boarding on Kim K’s level.

I haven’t had a new pair of glasses in 4 years, my old ones had got so scratched they were unbearable to wear. This toirtoiseshell pair are Ralph Lauren from Vision Express and cost me £108 which is actually a bargain. I find it difficult to find fashionable glasses that suit me, but I’ve quickly fallen for these!

My new staple for winter is black and muted. I know its a well known fact, but this colour palette is just so flattering, and it allows me to play around with my make up a bit more. This outfit is perfect for work and play, and works well as a complete outfit or as separates. I love the fit of this skirt, the zip front is playful, and I think the jumper with its necklace detailing is rather sophis!

Skirt, Top, both New Look.

For Halloween a few of my work friends and I went to Cursed (a scare event, ooh heck!) in Essex and then for a night out at Circuit (which used to be the Buddha Lounge) in Romford. Any excuse for a new dress, which happened to coincide with the latest drop from Nicole Scherzinger X Missguided. I love backless dresses and they come far and few between, so I’ll probably pick this one up in Oxblood too, just in time for Christmas parties. I did have to get my mum to alter this by taking the spaghetti straps up, as I don’t fill the front (barely there boobs).

To finish the look, I wore cobalt blue block heels from Primark, and chunky silver bling – rings, Topshop, earrings, New Look.

After a year in the same gym clothes I thought it was a time for a refresh, and something a little more fashionable. These leggings, crop tops, and muscle shirts are all from H & M. Their sports range is comfortable and supportive, and a much more reasonable price tag that the usual sports brands, worth checking out!

So, I think I have a spending problem… Next up, winter clothes!

October Glossybox Drop!

Ok, I caved. I lasted one month without a Glossybox, but after missing the Karen Millen box of September, I really couldn’t resist diving back in for the Pop Art version this month.  It was definitely a draw to get my butt back in to work after my holiday too knowing I had some beauty treats sitting on my desk waiting to be unwrapped. I should have perhaps tried an alternative beauty box, but I quite like the surprise you have with Glossybox, rather than getting the choice of some of the products – although that might be more sensible!

What’s In The Box

First of all, let me just comment on how cute the pop art inspired box is, which came in different colours, a keeper for trinkets or make up etc, I think I may have lost this one to my Mum though!

Nuxes – Crème Fraîche de Beauté Mask

Refreshing!

It’s always fantastic to receive a luxe product in the box as its not something I’d usually splash the cash on. This full size product costs £19.50, so I’ve received the box price back and some in one fell swoop.  This product is described as:

“A 24hr moisturising mask which hydrates and soothes the skin,”

When applied, it has a cooling effect which certainly soothes. I enjoy applying this product after having a bath before going to bed and it feels a bit like I’m giving myself a facial which is relaxing. The packaging advises leaving the mask on for ten minutes and then rubbing in any excess or rinsing off, however, I find there is never any excess to rub in and so I leave it to work its magic over night. I haven’t seen any visible difference to my skin, but it does feel hydrated.

The only downside I find for this product is the scent – it smells too earthy.

I am enjoying using this product and it definitely feels high end – Glossybox, you win this time!

FULL SIZE, 50ml, £19.50

Être Belle Cosmetics – Liplift Peel

New hero buy!

This is probably the best product I’ve ever received from Glossybox. I often suffer from dry, flaking, and cracked lips, so swear by products such as Carmex to heal them. This product is labelled as a lip ‘peel’ however I would describe it more as a lip scrub.

Glossybox tells us,

“The gentle formula removes dead cells refining the skin’s surface for perfectly soft lips”

There are very fine beads in the products which helps to scrub away the dead cells, but the formula is very moisturing, so once you’ve cleaned off the roughage you are left with a smooth, nourished, plump pout – and it smells sweetly delicious too.

This is quite possibly my new hero by, and will be tested to the extreme over the Winter months!

FULL SIZE, 15ml, €12.95

So Susan Cosmetics – Flutter Mascara

Classy packaging

When I opened my Glossybox and saw a full size Mascara, I thought, YES, I always need a new mascara. My excitement was quickly dashed – I’m sorry to break it to you so soon, but this product is disappointing. I am surprised, because my last experience with So Susan – their Universal Blush which featured in the June Glossybox – was quite a positive one. The wand itself is archaic and has no shape or thickness to it. The formula is bland with no strength. I don’t know where the

“hyaluronic spheres to help you achieve the darkest, curviest lashes possible”

Are because I’ve not experienced them! The only highlight of this product is the gold packaging, reminiscent of YSL.

FULL SIZE,  4ml, £14.95

Ciaté London – Paint Pot in Talent Scout

Cute bow!

Oh Glossybox, another nail varnish in another colour I don’t want (but I still love getting full size polishes)! In fairness, this royal purple is a colour I will wear – because I already own colours like this! To be fair to the product, I’ve not tried it out on my nails yet, and I’m excited to try Ciaté as its not a product I’ve used before but have lusted after.

It is described as being

“intensely pigmented”

so I’m expecting good results.

In a range

“boasting 88 head-turning and trend-setting shades”

I would have preferred the Black – Unrestricted Glam, as its a colour I don’t have but do want, so if anyone wants to do a product swap please get in touch! It might be an idea for Glossybox to let us choose our own nail colours in future.

FULL SIZE 13.5ml £9

Yves Rocher France – Quelques Notes D’Amour

A mature fragrance from Yves Rocher

This sample size fragrance claims to encapsulate:

“the feeling of falling in love through fusing notes of damascus rose, guaiac wood and patchouli”

It might be the scent of falling in love… if I was falling in love with my Mother. Sorry, I jest, its just a patch to musky for my liking, and possibly not the most appropriate scent for Glossybox subscribers. However, perfumes are very much an individual choice. I’ll probably where this if I get caught short – it is a handy size for your handbag, or I might give it to my Mum as she does like this more mature scent.

Sample Size.

Full size, 30ml, £33

Rimmel London – BB Cream Matte

Get The London Look

A very brief review – its a good colour for me, but left my skin feeling a little dry. This BB Cream contains:

” kaolin, witch hazel and salicylic acid for a flawless matte look”

Which could explain the dryness I felt. This will come in handy when my Foundation is on its way out and I need something to tide me over.

Sample Size.

Full size, 30 ml, £6.99

 

Despite my grumbles the pros far out way the cons, and just because some of the products aren’t to my taste, that isn’t to say that this is a pretty blooming good box! In addition to that, the products total around £55, so its very much value for money.

I will continue to enjoy using the Nuxe mask and Être Belle lip peel, and the So Susan Mascara will go in to my In-Case-Of-Emergency Collection. As mentioned, if anyone wants to trade their  Ciaté ‘Unrestricted Glam’ for my ‘Talent Scout’, lets do it!

What are your likes and loathes of this months Glossybox?

 

Hack Monday – Hack #2 – Kylie Jenner’s Lips.

Its been the talk of the town – Kylie Jenner – has she or hasn’t she had a lip job?

I love the Kardashian’s and Kylie is currently my flavour of the month – I love her hair, her make up, her style, HER LIFE, so I occasionally try to emulate her look.

So a reasonably new hack is the faux lip filler look which is what it is suspected Kylie has been doing to get those fulsome lips.

The Pout is Out!

 

Word about town is the best way to achieve this look is with MAC’s lip liner in Whirl, and MAC Lips in either Brave, Twig, or Faux – ALL of these products are currently sold out – I was told that the public have gone MAD for these products!

So how do I get KJ’s lips I hear you cry? Here’s how:

First, prep and prime your lips. I prepped my lips using the Etre Belle Lip Peel I received in this months Glossybox (review coming up ASAP I promise!!). This scrub is great as it removes all the dead skin while also moisturising the lips. The scrubbing also helps to increase the blood flow and plump the lip. I primed my lips by adding a little MAC Foundation (alternatively concealer) over my lips to help the colour to stick and stand out.

Prep & Prime time

Then I started with my Lip Liner, as you can see in Kylie’s picture her lip liner is slightly darker than her lip colour, this works similarly to face contouring. As Whirl is sold out, my friend at MAC suggested using Soar (£12.50), which is a very similar colour.

Start by crossing an X where your cupids bow is and lining the centre of your bottom lip line.

X Marks the spot!

Next fill in the rest of your lip line using the first two marks as a guide, I find it useful to fill in some of the lip so that the line isn’t so harsh.

Put those colouring in skills in to practise

Finally add your lipstick, be careful to stay with in the lines to keep the contour effect. As Brave, Twig, and Faux were all sold out, I went on the hunt in Boots to find a colour match. I settled on Bourjois – Rouge Edition in 04 Rose Tweed (£7.99). Although I am an advocate of MAC Lips, this lipstick feels really nourishing and smooth, and the slight sheen adds to the plumping effect. However, it doesn’t stay as well as MAC, so I may invest in one of the MAC colours when they’re back in stock.

Tah Dah!

And there we have it – who needs lip fillers when you can create the effect without the pain and the cost?

Definitely a little plumper (tried to match the pictures as best as possible!)!

I have quite full lips, but I do think there is a visible difference. I would quite like to try this out with a different shade of nude which might be more suitable for my skin tone.

Have you tried this hack? How was it for you?

This Weeks Haul!

I’ve been naughty… whoops! I went to collect a pair of jeggings from Dorothy Perkins and I came home with an entirely new outfit. Nothing like a bit of retail therapy! And this time, none of my haul is from River Island, perhaps Top Shop is getting back in to my good books!

 

Perfect work to pub wear! (Excuse the mess, my bad!)

Ladies, these jeggings from Dorothy Perkins are the best thing since sliced bread, especially if your waist is a smaller dress size than your bum and thighs like me! After living in leggings for years at drama school, jeans just felt too restrictive, similarly, to the delight of my mother, I’d discovered  that leggings don’t do anything for your bum – and my bum is my best asset! Dorothy Perkins’ Eden Jeggings are the perfect combination of jeans and leggings, with the thickness just short of denim and the stretch of leggings. These jeggings almost mould to your shape due to its stretch, meaning problem solved if, like me, you struggle to find a trouser that’s small enough for your waist but big enough for your booty. However, after a few wears you will find they get looser, but I love the comfort.  Another bonus for me is that you can get these in tall, regular, and small, meaning I can get them to fit my short legs, with no fabric flapping around my ankles! The Eden Jeggings come in many colours, I even have a fern green and a maroon pair, but my favourite is this dark blue – indigo colour, very flattering, but less boring than black (which I also own). However, the colour does fade after a few washes. The downside for me is that this is my 3rd pair in about a year, because the material has worn through between the thighs on my previous two pairs, but at £22 and under I really can’t complain. I purchased this particular pair for £15 with a Dorothy Perkins discount voucher – Winning!

Definite posing!

Big error picking up those jeggings from Dorothy Perkins in Outfit, because it gave me the opportunity to browse Topshop. I ended up coming out with this lace panel tee and gold necklace – I did intend on buying a gold necklace!

I saw a lady wearing this top at Sundown and knew it would be from Topshop. Coming it at £25 I think its a little pricey, but I love the lace trim, especially on the sleeves. The trim takes this top from casual to smart-casual making it ideal for work and socialising – worth the £25. This top is available in several colours (some of which are cheaper in petite!), but I am a fan of stripes at the moment.

Finally, I was on the hunt for a gold necklace to go with the Topshop Striped Bodycon Tunic I picked up recently, this ones nice and versatile, bold and shiny but not tacky and chunky, and is a neat £10 from Topshop.

On a trip to the pub I’d team this outfit with black wedges and a clutch. Today, for work, I’ve added my pink Topshop courts and matching Flat Out Fabulous MAC Lipstick.

Eden Jeggings, Dorothy Perkins – £15 (Full Price, £20)

Lace Panel Tee, Topshop – £25

Gold Necklace, Topshop – £10

 

First new dress in a while!

I spied this dress on Taylor Swift in Look magazine, and obv thought if I wore it I would be her. I hunted high and low for this dress in my size, and after checking back online day after day I managed to get it! As you can see the dark navy stripes on this dress interchange between thick and thin, near and far, and alongside the thick side panels create quite a nice illusion. This is from the regular size range so I imagine it would be quite short on a tall person. The material is stretchy but thick, provide comfort but sucking you in in the right areas. The only problem I find with this dress, like I do most dresses and skirts, is that it rides up shorter around the butt where my ass-et pushes it out! Teamed with black or vibrant shoes and dark or bold lips, this is great for a meal or casual night out.

Stripe Bodycon Tunic, Topshop – £30

My final purchase over the last couple of weeks was…

Good Hair Days back once again!

some new GHD hair straighteners!

I’ve been using a pair of second hand TresEmme straighteners which were kindly given to me by a friend for the last few years. I have had GHD’s in the past but never bit the bullet to get some new ones when my last ones broke. However, after borrowing my friend’s GHD V Gold’s I reminded myself what I was missing out on. I worked some over time on a voice over job recently, so I thought it was the perfect time to treat myself! I have to say I think my friends V’s worked a bit better, but it is still so pleasant to straighten my hair in a matter of minutes, and the feel of a brand new pair of ceramic plates is just glorious. I’m going to have fun seeing what I can create with these lightweight, ultra easy irons.

GHD IV Styler, lookfantastic (official GHD retailer) – £89

Its only the start of the month, will I manage to hold on to my pennies or will there be more haul to come? Watch this space!

Why I’m Loving… The Freakin’ Weeken’

I’ll admit it, its sad but true, but I’m living for the weekend. I try not to live life like this usually, but there’s just so much to do and so many opportunities at the weekend. And last weekend was EPIC!

On the Friday I went to see Dizzee Rascal with my friend Natalie at New Market Races.

It was a pretty cool event because you get to watch both the horse racing (although much like the Dog Racing I’m not sure of my thoughts) and then the gig. Despite it being August it absolutely bucketed it down – it was like a monsoon. I bought a cheap plastic mac at the event for a £1, it was the best £1 I’ve ever spent. I didn’t want to spend too much money so I only bet £2 on the last race and I won (£4.80, but that’s besides the point!)! It was fate, I picked the jockey wearing spots because Natalie and I had both worn spotty tops to work.

What I Wore

It was a smart dress code as we had Premier tickets, so I work a pink playsuit with a flowery blazer both from New Look and some sparkly sandals (more fool the women walking through the mud in stilletos!), and I jazzed it all up with a statement necklace and matching earrings from Miss Selfridge. And not forgetting my see-through rain mac!

Best £1 I’ve ever spent!

Luckily the monsoon had given up by the time Dizzee Rascal came on. He was absolutely brilliant! I love all of his old, grimier stuff, but I get the impression that a lot of the audience only knew his more mainstream music, but I was having a great time having a good ol’ skank out. He tried really hard to get the crowd jumping, and was really interacting with the audience – a real crown pleaser in my eyes. He’s probably one of the best acts I’ve seen live.

Jumpin!

 

Saturday night I went out with 2 of my friends, Samantha and Flick, for drinks in the city. We started at a Weatherspoons for a cheap start and we ended up at my favourite bar-du-jour,  Gonzos (we did go for a dance at another bar in between but it was filled with people that we’re trying dance us out of the way!) . Gonzo’s is a kooky bar filled with novelty decorations, like the head of a dinasaur, and flashing lights in the walls. Its open 7 days a week, all day and night, so you can go in for a cuppa or a cocktail. On a Friday night they spin vinyl, and I’ve even been to a chilled acoustic night on a Sunday, there is literally something for everyone.

What I Wore

My River Island orange 90’s cut crop top and my new black skater skirt with a mesh insert from ASOS. This skirt really flares, and I like the mesh insert for an extra flash of leg.  I teamed this with my trusty old black Primark wedges, a big black and nude square clutch (also Primark), and gold accessories. On my face I had smokey eyes, teamed with MAC’s Dangerous lipstick – a perfect match to my top, and I love to be matchy matchy! I added a gem to the side of each eye because I didn’t feel edgy enough!

Bit of a blurry pic!

What We Drank

In Gonzo’s we drank Kraken rum (a staple of my old head of year on my degree), triple layer shots – which I sipped, and cocktails in tin cans and cups!

COCKTAILS!

What We Danced To 

It seemed to be lots of 90’s and 00’s old school – think Destiny’s Child, Daniel Beddingfield, and Michael Jackson.

 

I spent the Sunday having afternoon tea and a potter around a garden centre with my Mum, Nan, and Grandad – a nice chill, and a little bit of kindness.

 

Last weekend was the best weekend I’ve had in a long time, full of all play and no work – a rarity for me.

This weekend I will have a mix of work and play, I will be filming a scene for Cheesemint’s series Unlocked tomorrow morning and then attending a BBQ-cum-party in the evening. Sunday its back to business with lots to do acting wise! All this fun is a good warm up for Sundown the weekend after next (please don’t rain, please don’t rain, please don’t rain!)

Have you got any exciting weekend plans?

 

Liebster Award MK2!

I’ve been awarded another Liebster Award by the fab rachwat, thank you! I love these sort of networking tools, allowing us to meet other like minded bloggers!

In brief, if you are nominated for a Liebster Award, first of all it means the nominator appreciates and recognises your blog! Secondly, it requires you to answer the 11 questions assigned to you (I love a good Q  A),  nominate 11 other bloggers (with under 200 followers), and give them 11 questions – but I have seen varying rules.

You can see my previous Liebster Award post here.

Q & A

Do you have a set beauty routine that you stick to daily?

Not massively, I know I should. I try to moisture at night, but I don’t do a cleanse, tone, and moisturise as much as I should.

Pick one: Eyeshadow or eyeliner?

Eyeliner! I wear it nearly everyday, its one of my favourite make up uses!

What’s your favourite clothing brand?

At the moment, River Island, you can see why on my post Why I’m Loving… River Island

Are leggings trousers?

NO THEY MOST CERTAINLY ARE NOT! Ladies, I have seen the light – leggings should only ever be worn in a dance studio or in rehearsals, or if it is really necessary under a dress. They make your bum look like a sack of spuds. And I like my bum!

Most recent purchase?

I have JUST ordered a pink heart print mac from Boohoo.com for when I camp at Sundown at the end of the month. My friends will kill me if I whinge about being wet!

What’s your favourite jewellery item?

Ooh now you’re asking, I have so much its difficul to choose. Probably my pearl and diamond ring I got from my Mum and Dad for my 21st birthday.

What’s the best gift you’ve ever received?

My iPad Air- I paid half, and my Mum, Dad, Nan, and Grandad contributed the rest for my 25th birthday. I travel a lot, so its fantastic for watching films, reading, playing games, and surfing the net, I wouldn’t be without it.

If you could go anywhere in the world, money no object, where would you go?

I think Jamaica, I’d love to learn more about the culture.

What are you currently reading or watching?

I’m currently obsessed with watching Misfits on Netflix, I’m now on to series 3. And I’m reading The other side of the story by Marian Keyes.

Disney or Pixar? Why?

Pixar, I prefer their animation style. I like Disney’s old style, but not the new.

What’s the most played song on your iTunes?

Paris by Jay-Z and Kanye West – me and my friend used to be obsessed with it, now I know all the words. It still gets me jumping and its a great workout song.

The questions I’m asking are:

1. If you could use only 3 beauty or make up products for the rest of your life, what would they be?

2. What’s your favourite make up brand and why?

3. Skirts or trousers?

4. What would your ideal date be?

5. Whose your biggest girl crush?

6. If you could only listen to one genre of music for the rest of your life, what would it be?

7. What’s the best thing you have planned or have done this year?

8. What was your most recent purchase?

9. Look, Vogue, or Grazia?

10. Which is your most favourite blog post of your own?

11. Which 3 celebrities, dead or alive, would you most like to have round for dinner?

And my nominees are:

Cecilia’s Corner (she JUST exceeds 200 followers!)

Doing it for Disney

Allrosie Beauty (also just exceeds 200!)

Strange Made Me

Diary of a Fat English Girl

Sophie Does Beauty

Lead With The Hips

Moth Loves

BeautyFull Blog

Beauty Beth

Lucky Life Beauty

 

The rules are as follows (thanks Rachel!):

• You must answer all 11 questions given to you by the person who nominated you.
• You must link back to the person that nominated you.
• After completing these questions you must nominate 11 bloggers (with under 200 followers) and give them 11 questions of your choice.
• You can not nominate the person who nominated you.
• You must let your nominees know that they have been nominated and provide a link to your post so that they can learn about it.

Enjoy!

The Beauty Blogger of the Month Award

 

 

 

How lovely! I’ve been nominated by the lovely ladies at twolittleowlsblog for the Beauty Blogger of the Month award (you can see their post here). This award was created by Cecilia at Cecilia’s Corner, its a fantastic idea  and there is even a poll-cum-prize draw at the end of each month, you can read more about the award here. I love taking part in these awards, as a new blogger it gives me a chance to network and find out about other blogs to add to my reader, plus, I love a good Q & A!

Here are the answers to the 7 beauty related questions set by Cecilia for August’s Award!

1. Where does your makeup inspiration come from?

One of my biggest inspirations is my best friend Amy who works for MAC. Her makeup is always flawless and I learn great techniques from her. She also buys me lots of make up goodies for my birthday and Christmas so that’s fantastic! I also love looking at makeup on Instagram to get ideas. And I secretly swoon at the Kardashian’s makeup!

2. What are 3 of your makeup Holy Grail products you cannot live without?

MAC all the way. I’ve tried products from many different brands, and I swear by MAC. Its fantastic quality and its long wearing. So my top 3 (at the moment!) are:

MAC Eyebrows in Lingering, as talked about in my post Why I’m loving… A Good ‘Brow, its a superb product for getting stand out yet natural looking brows.

MAC Liquidlast Liner in Point Black – I wear eyeliner most days (usually with a feline flick), and this liquid eyeliner is the best I’ve come across. It’s easy to apply, it last all day (despite my constant eye rubbing), and its a bold black.

MAC Lipstick in any colour that suits! This durable lipsticks withstands day to day drinking and eating, and are fantastically vivid. I love their mattes, and some of my favourite colours include, Flat Out Fabulous, Ruby Woo, St Germain, and Rebel.

3. What is your makeup signature look which you have on most of the time?

I generally have bright lips (courtesy of MAC), a strong brow, and medium-thick felined eyeliner on the top lid. I’ve taken to adding white liner to the inside lower lid to give the eyes more pop. I also use, foundation, concealer, powder, highlighter, blusher, and mascara (low maintenance I know!).

My (pouty) makeup, using MAC’s Lipstick in Rebel

4. Let us know your favorite makeup brands?

MAC (See Q.2), I also usually use Max Factor mascara, although I want to try out Benefit’s ‘They’re Real’. I’m also partial to Benefit and Barry M

5. Your ultimate makeup pet peeve?

Ooooh. I’m not sure. I was going to say bad eye brows, but perhaps its when people don’t experiment with their makeup!

6. You’ve heard about all the hype on this makeup item, bought it, tried it and don’t understand what all the fuss is about…Name that product!

Bellapierre Lipstick, see my thoughts here: July Glossybox Drop!

 

7. Concealer OR foundation ONLY for the rest of your life. Choose one and tell us the reason!

Foundation! Because used in the right way you can use your foundation to cover up those blemishes. Also generally you get more in a bottle of foundation than you do in concealer.

 

Here are my 7 nominations:

Fay at Fay Beauty Blogger 

Amii at Spex & Lipstick

Clare at Clare’s Beauty Blog

Allrosie Beauty

Kirsty at Keep it Classy

Honor at Honor Recommends

and

Sonya at Once Upon a Glam

Enjoy ladies, and thank you for making my Reader worth reading!