FURNITURE SHOPPING, BOOTS HAUL & NANDOS - MY WEEKEND

I know I go on about it maybe a little too much but I, like most others (unless you're an unfortunate soul who has to work), LOVE weekends. Now I have your typical Monday - Friday hours, I find myself constantly counting down until the weekend - granted, one day I plan to have a job that I don't count down the days quite so much, but for now it's a  regular hobby of mine. If you're a regular reader and you've read about me moaning about my previous job, you'll understandably think that I can't be pleased, which isn't the case, I just know  what job I want and need to work to get to it and go back to that horrid education even after completing my degree, so until then I mostly live for the weekends! 

My weekends are mainly spent with family; seeing my sister and visiting my grand parents. It's so nice to be able to spend lots of time with the ones that are most special to you. The other weekend, My boyfriend, Jamie and I went to my mums house, so that I could spend the day with my sister and he could go and see his family (luckily they live very close). My mum and her boyfriend made us breakfast when we got there, I'm fussy when it comes to eggs and only like the white part and can't stand the yolk, which is why the photo may seem a little odd. I wanted to start writing more lifestyle type posts, as my sister told me she doesn't bother reading my normal posts as she finds lifestyle ones more interesting (thanks sister), so I wanted to branch out.  It's surprising how hard it is to remember to take photos  in your normal day to day life, but I will get better at it! Everyone else was tucking into their breakfast and there I was standing on the chair, trying to get a decent angel and light for my breakfast shot... how do people make that look so easy?! 

I thought it was cute that my sister and I were wearing alternating colours, with our tops and jeans.I had been needing a pair of black jeans for ages as mine had officially come to the end of their life. I finally bought a pair from River Island a few weeks before and I think this was their first outing. Of course the first time I wore them I managed to get lily pollen on them which is notorious for staining. Luckily it all came off, with a helping hand from my mum hoovering my leg - if it worked I didn't care how it came off. Little tip there! 

My sister Hannah, is moving house soon so wanted to go and look at some furniture, which interests me for a little bit and then I easily get bored. Luckily for me there was also a Boots where we went and obviously I couldn't not go in. I had been wanting to get the Garnier Micellar cleansing water, the original pink version was out of stock so I just picked up the green version which is supposed to be good for combination skin. I doubt that there is much difference between the two but so far I'm liking it. Rimmel had a 3 for 2 offer on and I had been lusting after some of their highly raved about lip liners. Hannah and I got the same colours, Spice and Tiramisu. I wanted East End Snob but it wasn't there *cried a little inside* But all is restored as it may have just found its way into my superdrug online order (the only time I'm going to say damn you bank holiday, as it's just going to take even longer to come)! To satisfy the 3 for 2 I also bought one of the Kate Lasting Finish Lipstick in the shade 08, which is a natural pinky mauve. 

After forcing Hannah and Jamie to take photos with me and the cats getting in on the action, we deliberated over what to have for dinner. I wanted pizza and Hannah wanted Chinese, some how we ended up going to Nandos and getting take away, which always seems a good idea when it's a Saturday night and hugely busy. I told Hannah and Jamie that I would stay at my mums house while they went to get it, as it was their idea and I didn't want to go to a busy place and just make it even more crowded. They didn't like this plan, so I ended up going. I sat in the back and they left me out of their conversations the whole way, as they both get on very well and have similar taste in tv programmes so often chat a lot about Family Guy and stuff I don't like and take the mick out of me. Luckily for me I had the food in the back so it wasn't all bad! Mwahahaa! 

I hope you're all having a great weekend and make the most of the extra day! 

MY EVERYDAY MAKE UP

Since leaving my make up counter job, where it was actually written in my contract that I must wear a full face of make up, I've made some big changes to my make up routine. This probably still seems a lot for the everyday woman, but for us beauty obsessed this is pretty tame. I've been really enjoying not feeling like I need to layer every product I can onto my face and think up new and exciting eye looks everyday, in a minimal time. It's strange but I'm actually feeling a lot more confident with my face...? since cutting down on the products. I still wear more make up than pretty much everyone in the office, but it's a start. 

 First up for my base, I use the L'oreal True Match foundation in N2, which is still a little dark for my light, un-fake tanned skin. I use Urban Decay's new Naked Skin concealer under the eyes and set it with my trusty MAC Emphasize powder, which I will be repurchasing very soon by the looks of it. I did include Rimmel's Stay Matte powder in my 'Hyped products that I'm not in  love with' post, but I don't actually have many powders in my collection, so I'm just using it to set my foundation and use it up. I use MAC's Give me sun bronzer, as it's so pigmented that it takes no time at all to apply and gives a gorgeous warmth to the skin. I like to use Bare Minerals 'The One' blush, as it's a soft pink shade that gives a healthy flush to the cheeks, topped with MAC's Soft & Gentle on the cheekbones. For my eyes I still like to define my eyes, yet not so dark and the winged liner has definitely been got rid of. I use MAC's Wedge in the crease, Sable on the lid as it's a light slightly shimmery brown and Swiss Chocolate to slightly darken  up the outer corner and on the lower lash line. I use a little bit of Urban Decay's Perversion eye liner along my top lash line and smudge it out to give the definition and extra thickness to my lashes, but so it's quite soft. I then finish off with Urban Decay's Perversion mascara and a little bit of Soft & Gentle on the brow bone and inner corner. I fill in my brows slightly with the Urban Decay Naked Basics palette. To finish off my look, I use L'oreal's Eva's Nude lipstick, as it's a gorgeous natural shade that you can just put on to complete the look. 

I'm really enjoying my new everyday make up routine as it's so much quicker and when I look in the mirror I feel more myself, instead of just looking at make up. Don't get me wrong, I haven't ditched the intense smokey eye for good, but it'll probably now just be a special occasion thing, like normal people do! What are your favourite products to use everyday?

HYPED PRODUCTS THAT IM NOT IN LOVE WITH

Here goes - I'm about to do what us women do best - moan! Okay, I guess there are some saint women out there who don't, but there's also the 500 million that love nothing more than a good moan! With bloggers and youtubers having such an immense effect on how we view beauty products, it's often hard not to succumb to the huge hype surrounding certain products. Often it seems our own opinions and views on products can be bias from the start, just by a youtuber or bloggers opinion. These products are some of the many that have been hugely hyped in the beauty world and really, I'm not so into them. 

First is Benefit's They're Real Mascara.  At first I loved this mascara and it did make my lashes look really good, it lengthened, it thickened and it stayed put; maybe even a little too well! My problem with this mascara is that it dries up super quick, making it absolutely useless to apply. I made sure it was the only mascara I had on the go so I could get the most use out of it, yet it still only lasted a couple or few weeks maximum. At £19.50, I cannot be repurchasing every couple of weeks! 

Another mascara that I didn't love was Maybelline The Falsies. We all know that Tanya Burr loves it, but when I used it I felt it was a good mascara, but it wasn't anything special at all! I also found the shape of the wand to not be the best and easiest to apply. 

Another Tanya Burr favourite is Rimmel's Stay Matte powder. I tried it as it's a really affordable product so if it works well then my bank account would definitely love me forever. I don't even have particularly oily skin but I always find that this powder makes it feel like I haven't even set my foundation at all and my face does feel a little oily and definitely far from matte. 

The much loved Collection Lasting Finish Concealer just doesn't seem as amazing as everyone makes out. I don't think the coverage is amazing and I don't think it's longevity is all that great either. 

I used hydraluron every day for as long as the tube lasted me and I didn't ever notice any difference. I read reviews that it was only when people stopped using it that they noticed what a difference it was actually making. I've now not been using it for a month or so, as it ran out and I honestly haven't noticed any difference. I love the idea of it but as I haven't really seen any difference, I can't justify buying another. 

Last but most probably not least, are the Lush fresh face masks in general. I have tried pretty much all of the different masks and I never really see any difference in my skin, not even any tiny improvements. They disappoint me as they all sounds so amazing yet, seem to do nothing beneficial for my skin. 

Okay, that's my moaning done for now. Have you tried any of these products and were also less than impressed or actually loved them? 

BOOTS HAUL + MINI REVIEWS

Lately I've really been making an effort to save my money which resulted in my makeup bag looking depressingly low and in need of some new purchases. The only solution to this - a little make-up only shopping trip!

The foundation, mascara and powder were all repeat buys and so I could be safe in the knowledge that they would perform as well as before, however the rest of my purchases were new to me and I have some mixed feedback.  

Having just used up a mini Benefit Chacha Tint I was looking for a more affordable replacement and found this new Rimmel liquid cheek tint. The texture is thicker than what I would class as liquid compared to the Benefit tint however this is not a set back. The tint is very light weight which means that the colour can be built up and would therefore be a great fit for lots of skin tones. The tint comes in two shades; Pop of pink and Sun kissed  Cherry which although limited choice, the two colours are great colours considering this as the Pop of pink is a great pink blush and the Sun kissed Cherry is more of a coral tone, which are generally the most popular blush colours. 

The tint gives a good colour to the cheeks however, I also use a powder blusher over the top to intensify the pigment. I like to use Coralista by Benefit over the tint to also add a little shimmer. 

For the last few months beauty blenders have taken my interest and so when Real Techniques brought out their miracle complexion sponge I had to try it. There was a buy one get one half price offer on, so obviously Georgia and I had to both get one to take advantage of the offer.  A review will soon be up after we've both tried it out a bit more.

Finally, these are my first Seventeen make-up purchases, and it was the packaging of these products that enticed me to buy. I have never really used a primer before, so I didn't really know what to expect, however, I have been consistently using this primer for the last week and it does what it says. Your skin feels super soft while it being very light weight and is also moisturising which means that foundation applies even more smoothly. Very little of the product is needed with each application and so I can predict this lasting a good amount of time. 

However, the On the Spot concealer was very disappointing. It is described as having a creamy texture, however, the concealer is extremely watery even when shaken which means that the coverage leads much to be desired. 

Although I cannot comment on the statement of 'clearer skin in 4 weeks' as I have not been using it for that long, I will not be buying this again and doubt I will even be using it for 4 weeks. The colour is a very unusual shade that almost looks slightly dirty and is very difficult to blend into the skin even with using Real Techniques stippling brush and so I have taken to applying the concealer before my foundation just to hide the difficult to blend colour. 

So, that was my little stock up of make-up and I can definitely say that my make-up bag now looks a lot more healthy! 

Have you been stocking up on make-up lately, were there any products that you loved or didn't think too much of? 

AUTUMN INSPIRED EYE MAKE-UP LOOK

Hello everyone! 

I actually did this make up look around the mid-end of August, when the weather started to turn a little less summer like and a lot more like autumn. However, a couple of days after the summer weather came back again, so I didn't really feel like I could post an autumn make-up look, while sitting wearing my summer dress and flip flops! 

I had been craving those berry/red shades so I picked up Maybelline's  Metallic Pomegranate  24 Hour Colour Tattoo, that Hannah reviewed 'here.' Hannah loves the Colour Tattoo's, however, the first time I used mine, I really wasn't impressed. It seemed to clump up and then peel off really easy. I also couldn't blend eyeshadow on top easily at all. The second time that I tried it, I actually really liked it. I'm not sure what I did differently, but they worked really well. 

1. I used the Metallic Pomegranate all over the lid. I really like the colour, however, I wish it wasn't so shimmery! I then put the light beige/orange Sleek shade (labelled with a 1), through my crease as a transission shade to make sure all of the future blending would look smooth and seamless. 

2. I next blended another Sleek shade (labelled with a 2), through the lower crease, blending it into the Pomegranate colour on my lid. I also lightly patted it over the lid. 

3. I also took the Pomegranate shade under my eye in the lower lash line.

4. I then used the black shade in the Sleek palette (Labelled with a 3), lightly in the inner corner and heavier in the outer v/outer corner of the eye. 

5. I then blended the black shadow in the corners under my eye 

6. I added Rimmel's gel eye liner to my lash line and flicked it out.

7. I used MUA's Shade 1, single eyeshadow as an under the brow highlight and also to highlight the inner eye. 

8. I finished off the eyes with a few coats of Benefit's 'They're Real' Mascara. (That I'm not too impressed with any more, as mine feels like it's running out after just a few weeks of use)!

As the eyes are pretty heavy, I wanted them to be the main focus, so I've kept the rest of the face very natural looking. I used Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum, Rimmel Match Perfection Powder, Bourjois bronzer, Benefit Hervana blush and Revlon's lip butter in sweet Tart. 

I'm absolutely loving Autumn make-up looks so far and I really feel like I need more Autumn colours! Are there any products that I need to try? 

HANNAH'S JULY FAVORITES

Here are just seven of the products I have fallen in love with this summer month;

Rimmel Natural Bronzer

Rimmel's Natural Bronzer comes in a wide range of colours which makes it great for a wide range of skin tones and seasons, which comes in handy for me considering my skin has pretty dramatic shade changes from winter to summer! It has great pigmentation and the matte finish means that its multi-purpose; I use the bronzer to contour and add warmth to the skin which previously I may have bought two separate products for. 

L'oreal Falsh Lash Flutter

Without being too enthusiastic and out of my character, this may be the best mascara I've ever owned! Both Georgia and I have been a fan of Loreal's mascaras, and this has just become the best one yet. Ignoring the cute name and style, this product also gives great length and volume in the first application, which means that your lashes look brilliant even if you're in a rush and only have time to put one layer on, similarly if you're feeling more patient the lashes can take on a false lash effect with multiple application. The wand has a longer edge which is ideal to ensure all lashes are coated with the remainder of the wand creating the volume. 

Garnier Summer Body

I have been using Garnier's Summer Body for the past two summers, and I am yet to find a better product at a similar price. I find with one application my skin is transformed to a much 'healthier glow', and I only need to use the light shade for immediate results. I only need to apply the product twice a week to maintain the tan which also moisturises the skin each time you use it. Additionally, it doesn't take long to apply or to absorb which means it can be applied in the morning or evening. The only downfall in my opinion is the smell; which isn't bad, however, for the first day after you have applied it the smell is a bit of a give away that you are wearing fake tan and the natural looking brown can be questioned! But for the price, ease and results I would and have recommended this to many as it's perfect for summer. 

Nivea In Shower Body Moisturiser

Nivea's in shower body moisturiser has quickly became a favourite of mine  for reasons not as closely linked to how effective the product is. Although I'm worryingly addicted to Body Shops Body Butters, it is rare that I will moisturise  my entire body ever day, and I am more prone to only applying them to my legs after shaving.  Therefore, this in shower moisturiser is perfect for me because it makes it easy; your hair is wet and so completely out of the way and you are left with an immediate soft skin effect without having to wait for the absorption. So overall I love this more due to my laziness than anything else but the idea is great and leaves your skin feeling super soft. I would however, only buy the dry skin version, even though I don't have particularly  dry skin I wouldn't want any less moisture than this gives.  

Bourjois Health Mix 

This Bourjois foundation may be 'the one' for me; it gives the skin such a radiant appearance and has a high coverage which means you can use less of the product resulting in it lasting longer. Even after 9 hour shifts at work it is still going strong which in my opinion is the true test of how long lasting a piece of make up can be! It is also a thick texture, which I prefer in a foundation as I feel it is easier to apply and doesn't risk me spilling it over myself, which actually has happened check out my Revlon Photoready review!

Barry M High Shine Gelly - Passionfruit

Finally, Barry M's Passion Fruit gelly nail varnish has been on my nails almost every other week; when choosing which colour I just can't resist it! Not only does the colour make a good tan look great the gelly collection have such a glossy finish. 

WEDDING GUEST MAKE UP

Hey!

On Saturday I went to my boyfriend's mum's wedding. However, I wasn't just a guest, I was also doing the brides and brides maids make-up. I will be posting some photos of the bride's make-up very soon and chatting about how it went. I'll also post some other wedding photos and my outfit once I get my hands on the wedding photo disc!

Unfortunately my photographer (AKA Hannah), decided she wasn't going to bother doing any close up shots of the eye make-up so this is the best we have. I did my make-up myself and wanted to do something quite... well, natural isn't really the word, but I wanted it to look pretty but not too much or too dramatic as it was a wedding and I think fresh and pretty is the way to go for weddings, rather than dark and too 'in your face.' As I am a make-up lover and aspiring make-up artist, I couldn't just wear minimal make-up, especially for a wedding! So I decided on neutral colours and created a smoky eye.

 I set my alarm for 6.30am to make sure that I had enough time to get ready as I didn't want to be late going over to do the bride and brides maids make-up. Luckily, everything with my hair and make-up went really smoothly and I was really happy with both. Hannah used the Babyliss heated rollers in my hair and I left them in for over an hour and the curls stayed in all day. I wasn't necessarily wanting my hair super curly but it's so flat and thin that any volume was much welcomed. 

 I decided against wearing false lashes as it was going to be a long day, it was boiling hot and my hayfever is still pretty horrible, so they would have definitely just aggravated me.

All products used will be listed after the photos.

 

 

And the final look, with hair and make-up finished...

Hair

- TIGI Bed Head Style Shots Epic Volume Shampoo & Conditioner
- TIGI Bed Head Superstar Queen for a day Thickening Spray
- L'oreal Heat Styling Spray - Volume 
- Babyliss Heated Rollers 
- L'oreal Elnett Hairspray
- TIGI Bed Head After Party Smoothing Cream 

Make-up

Face:

- Primer: Benefit Porefessional (cheap dupe here)
- Foundation: MAC Stufio Fix Fluid NW25
- Powder: Rimmel Match Perfection Soft Beige 200 + Rimmel Stay Matte transparent
- Bronzer: MAC Mineralize Skin Finish Give Me Sun
- Blusher: Benefit Hervana
- Contour + Highlight: Sleek Face Form Kit in Light (review here)
- Concealer: MAC Pro Longwear NW25 + Maybelline The Eraser (review here)

Eyes: 

- Sleek Ultra Mattes Palette
- Rimmel Gel Eyeliner Black
-  MAC Woodwinked 
- MUA Brow Kit
- Benefit They're Real mascara
- MUA PRO Base Make-up Fixing Spray

Lips:

- LUSH Sugar Scrub (Review here)
- MAC Viva Glam V
- Soap & Glory Sexy mother pucka Lipgloss

FRESH FACE + BROWN EYESHADOW MAKE UP LOOK

Products used

Primer - Benefit 'That Gal'

Foundation - Bourjois Healthy Mix Foundation

Powder - Rimmel Clear Complexion Powder Translucent

Bronzer - Contour shade in Sleek's Face Form Contouring Kit (reviewed here)

Blush - Sleek Blush by 3 Lace (reviewed here)

Highlight - Hightlight shade in Sleek's Face Form Contouring Kit (reviewed here)

Eyebrows - Make up Academy Brow Kit

Eye Shadow - Benefit Peek a Bright Eyes 

                       & Maxfactor Smokey Eye Effect Shadow in Bronze Haze  

Eye Liner - Rimmel Gel Liner Black 

Mascara - L'Oreal False Lash Flutter Mascara 

 

NAVY BLUE SMOKEY EYE MAKE UP

 

I've mentioned the Sleek ultra mattes palette, many, many times before on this blog as it's such a great and handy palette. In my review of the palette, (which you can read here), I only used the neutral brown, safe colours, in my make up look and I'm always using them on a day to day basis, however the blues in the palette were in pristine condition and were just sitting there feeling sorry for themselves, so I decided to be more adventurous and give them a go! 

  

 I really like a navy smokey eye; normally I'd add a lot more black to it, so the navy is more of just a hint of colour in the look, however this look is a lot more blue. I think this is a really nice look for a night out or special evening, either if you want to change your usual black smokey eye up a bit or if you find black too harsh. 

 I kept the eyeshadow just above the crease, as any higher and I think this would have looked too heavy on the eye. This is also why i've done my eyeliner fairly thin on the top lash line. I added the black eyeliner in the water line to give the eye more definition, so that it wasn't overpowered with too much blue.

I've kept the rest of the make up natural as otherwise I think it would just look too much and it doesn't distract away from the eyes being the main feature of this look.

 

The colours that I used are numbered below, I also used;

-MUA jet black eyeliner

-Benefit They're Real Mascara

-Bourjois Healthy Mix foundation

- Rimmel Stay Matte powder  

-Collection 24hr felt eyeliner in black

- Revlon lip butters in Papaya and Sweet Tart (review and swatches here)

- MUA Brow Kit

- Maybelline The Eraser concealer (review here)

-Bourjois bronzer (review here)

- MUA blush