Tuesday 30 August 2016

Drugstore Makeup Tryouts

Drugstore Makeup Tryouts
As much as I enjoy splurging out on high-end makeup it is always nice to try drugstore makeup in the hope it'll save me an arm and a leg. Recently I've been a little bored of my everyday makeup so I picked up a few bits n bobs in the hope that they'll rekindle my love for makeup again, and they did!

H&M 'Smoky Nude' Eye Palette | £9.99
An eye shadow palette was one of the bits I picked up in my haul and so far I am impressed. This palette is ideal for little trips away as it contains all the shades you need for both day and night, I took this palette to London with me. The shades aren't amazingly pigmented but they do stay in place all day long and give you the perfect neutral look. I always pick up palettes like this as I think they're so handy for travelling and for every day.

L'Oreal Infallible Foundation | £7.99
When you use a product for so many months your skin can become immune or you stop seeing the benefits and this is how I felt towards Double Wear. I decided to try a cheaper alternative foundation to wear every day and keep DW for those special outings. I decided to try L'Oreal foundation after reading lots of great reviews, but I was worried about the shades. I picked up the lightest shade and surprisingly it was perfect for my skin! This gives light to medium coverage and leaves your skin with a lovely smooth matte finish. This feels a lot lighter on my skin than DW ever has and it stays in place all day, I sometimes even forget I have makeup on that's how smooth it feels. I am really impressed with this foundation and I will continue to use this since I will be saving over £20!

Maybelline Fit Me Concealer | £5.99
This concealer has really high ratings online which was the biggest reason I decided to try it out. After reading so many amazing reviews I was expecting positive things, but to be completely honest I didn't see it. The shading was too yellow toned, it did nothing for coverage under my eyes and it didn't really cover blemishes, as well as some other drugstore concealers, do. I am going to keep trying it and see if it makes a difference with the L'Oreal foundation but on first impressions, I am not blown away.

Collection Define & Perfect Brow Powder | £4.19
When it comes to brows I prefer filling mine in with a pencil/tip as you have much more control over how defined you want your brows to look. I picked up the Collection D&P Brow Powder after watching a tutorial on Youtube and really liking how easy it is to use. When I went to purchase if they didn't have a blonde shade in my local Boots so I went for brunette which is a little bit too dark for my brows so I have to comb it out a bit with a gel brush. Despite the shade I really like this product it definitely defines your brows to how you want them to look, it is incredibly easy to apply and makes your brows look on fleek!

What drugstore makeup have you been trying?? 
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Wednesday 24 August 2016

London Beauty Haul

London Beauty Haul
You cannot go to London and not come home with something new especially if you are a beauty/makeup obsessed freak like me. I recently went on a little trip to London with my boyfriend (post) and during my time there I have done a bit of shopping. London is great for getting your hands on everything at once and coming across all those brands you could only ever get your hands on online, yep talking about you Zoeva. I treated myself to quite a few bits from London and can tell you I already love everything I have tried so far!

Selfridges is the best for getting everything in one go as there are so many departments and beauty brands in this one shop. I so wish we had a Selfridges up here in Newcastle but then again my wages would just get blown on beauty products all the time and I'd be eating lipsticks for breakfast. I did, however, pop in when I was down London and picked up a few bits I have wanted to try for ages. I picked up a Beauty Blender after hearing so many amazing comments on it, I am going to be writing a blog post soon comparing it with Real Techniques Sponge. I also picked up the Zoeva Buffing Brush since I absolutely love buffing brushes for foundation. I was so close to buying the full rose gold set but I subtly dropped hints to my boyfriend for my birthday.

H&M is also amazing down London and the H&M I went into which is just on the corner between Oxford and Regents Street has 6 floors! The beauty range is to die for though and again I really wish my local had stocked beauty. Since I loved the eyeshadows from my H&M haul I picked up a single eyeshadow in this gorgeous brown/nude which looks perfect with a bronze makeup look. A also picked up a hand cream and body spray which smell amazing! And a mini dry shampoo which was just because I forgot my own but turns out I have been using this for volume too. After H&M I finally bought the Pixi Glow Tonic this has been on my wishlist for so so long now so I am happy I have finally got my hands on it and it is amazing so far!

Another product that has been on my wishlist for so long is Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Oil and finally, I got my hands on it. I have been applying this before bed every other day and holy moly my skin is incredible when I wake up. I will be writing a review on this very soon! The last couple of bits I picked up were just from my local Boots but I am including them in here anyways and I just picked up another Maybelline Fit me Concealer as it is the best for covering those dark circles. I also noticed Natural Collection stock Highlighting Sticks so I picked one of those up in the hope it'll be a budget-friendly highlighter.

I will more than likely be reviewing most of these in the future so keep your eyes peeled!  

What have you bought recently??
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Monday 22 August 2016

72 Hours In London

Trevor Square
Kings Cross
Liberty
If someone was to ask me where my favourite place in the world is I would hand down say London. I have been there so many times and every time is different and special in its own little way. My boyfriend and I recently took a little trip and hopped onto a train to Kings Cross for a few days, so since we got quite a lot done in 72 hours I decided to share what we got up to.


Day 1.
Once we arrived and checked into our hotel (with an amazing view of Kings Cross/St Pancreas station might I add!) we leapt onto a tube to Oxford Circus for a teeny-tiny bit of shopping, jokes it was a lot. We wondered down Oxford Street for a couple of hours into all the good shops and of course, I had to make a cheeky purchase in Selfridges. Got me a Chocolate Orange Ben's Cookie which I cannot stop thinking about, like how can a cookie taste so perfect?! Once we were shopped-out we decided to walk through Harrods and drool over all the amazing pastries and chocolates and then continued our walk down into Chelsea. We spent ages taking photographs and imagining living in these amazingly grand houses. The houses down London are so pristine and dazzling, you always come across little mews too with a fabulous interior.

We headed back to the hotel, freshened up then went for a Chinese which was just around the corner from our hotel. After we filled our boots with yummy food we decided to go on a late night walk around where we stayed. Played a little bit of Pokemon Go and ran around trying to catch Pikachu like a 5-year-old. Once it got around midnight we headed back and went straight to bed.
Chalcot road
Farm girl cafe
Day 2:
This was definitely the most filled day out of the 3 we got loads done and our little feet were throbbing by the end! We woke up bright and early and got the tube to Camden to visit the market and the Cereal-Killer Cafe. After picking up a few bits from the market we devoured a bowl of cereal from CKC. I ordered 'Unicorn Poop' which I posted on Instagram and was quite funny to ask for and my boyfriend ordered 'Luckiest Charms' which was packed with lots of marshmallows. This was so yummy but so sickly I couldn't finish it but it was somewhere to tick off my bucket list. We walked off a bit of the cereal by heading to Primrose Hill (which has a stunning view of London!) and on the way I spotted some beautiful colourful houses which of course I photographed. Which one would you live in? I'd definitely claim pink!

In the afternoon we decided to head up to Notting Hill/Holland Park and went for something little to eat in Farm Girl Cafe. This is such a stunning place to eat and I so wish I went sooner! I ordered the prettiest latte ever that is sprinkled in all these rose petals, very picture-esc. I'd definitely recommend this place if you love healthy foods it is on Portobello Road. After spending a few hours in Holland Park we decided to go back to the hotel for an hour and then head out for dinner. We went to Polo Bar which is in Liverpool Street, I ordered the steak burger with sweet potato fries and that burger is hands down one of the best I've had! Afterwards, we decided to spend the full night site seeing Big Ben, London Eye, Downing Street and Buckingham Palace. This was definitely the way to spend our last night in London, the city never sleeps.

Day 3:
On our last full day in London (train was at 10pm) we decided to visit Regents Park and head to London Zoo. Regents Park Garden was amazing if I lived in London I'd definitely come here all the time. The zoo was so much fun despite how hot it was and how sore my feet were. The giraffes and monkeys were definitely my favourites, but the worst (yes there's a worst) was the spider house, yes you heard me there was a house where you could walk in with giant spiders just dangling on webs. I didn't go in as that would be my worst nightmare but my boyfriend did. We spent most of the day at the zoo since it was huge! But afterwards, we headed to Covent Garden for last minute shopping and found the secret Neals Yard alley. London is filled with all these little alleys and mews with cute areas to eat. We had a couple of hours to spare so we sat outside Buckingham Palace in the sun, grabbed a bite to eat and then wondered Kings Cross Station shops and of course I went into the Harry Potter shop!

I had such a good time in London as I said before every time is different and exciting. I would love to live here even if it was for half a year just for the experience. Definitely going back near Christmas again as that is my favourite time of the year to go.


What is your favourite thing about London??
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Monday 8 August 2016

My Travel Makeup Bag

My Travel Makeup Bag
My Travel Makeup Bag
When it comes to travelling/overnight stays in hotels makeup is essential to take with me. I am going to London for 3 days soon and I have um'd and ah'd at what makeup I should take that will come in handy and not take up a massive amount of space. So since my makeup is nicely organised in this cute bag I decided to share what's inside.

Dinosaur Makeup Bag ASOS £10.00 (here)

Even though I tried to condense it down this is what I am left with but who knows, maybe I will try the 5 makeup product challenge one day since I need serious help. I packed two foundations with me both Estee Lauder Double Wear and L'Oreal Infallible purely because I wanted to keep my DW for the evenings and the Infallible for daytime wear. Both foundations leave my skin with a matte finish and do not budge one bit which means fewer touch-ups. I use Collection Concealer for my blemishes or any imperfections and the Maybelline Eye Eraser for under my eyes and even though I really wanted to bring just the one I couldn't separate them. To set my makeup I have my MAC MSF and the NYX Matte Setting Spray which is one of my favourite setting sprays!

For eyes I have my trustworthy Benefit They're Real Mascara which I have hyped on about so many times on my blog and for eyeshadow, I am bringing the H&M Smoky Nude palette. I love how compact this palette is, it comes with all the shades every girl needs for both neutral and smoky looks and it takes up no room at all. For brows, I am taking the S&G Brow Archery which is great for getting your brows filled in quickly. I like to call it my version of a Harry Potter wand.

For the more evening makeup, I have decided to pack the Mary Kay Silver Illuminating Stick*. This gives my cheekbones some serious glow which I thought would go perfectly with my S&G Solar Powder as my contour. Again this is an easy palette to use and blends in so nicely. For blusher, I am taking my Creme Puff Blush from Max Factor in the shade 'lovely pink' which is a lovely neutral shade of pink perfect for an everyday look. I am always last minute when it comes to lips but I will most likely be bringing an NYX Lip Cream and my Elizabeth Arden 8 Hour Cream

What makeup item is a staple for you travelling??
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Thursday 4 August 2016

Little Skin Refreshments

Little Skin Refreshments
Lately here in the UK we have been getting this muggy, clammy weather that has been quite irritating and frustrating especially for my skin. I find halfway through the day my makeup starts to feel itchy and my hair is always tied back because anything sticking to my face will irritate me and it's down to this dreadful weather. I have been using products to give my skin a bit of refreshment and they have definitely been lifting my mood and my skin so I decided to share what I reach out for.

A little bit like a refreshing cocktail to cool down with, but for your skin.

Clinique Eye Serum | £24.00
Whenever my eyes are in need of a quick lift I will apply this roller-ball massaging eye serum. This immediately relieves the appearance of tiredness and brightens up my eyes. If you suffer from hay fever I would recommend this also, whenever I have puffy or itchy eyes I apply this to cool down that area. It's such a nice and easy product to apply that really relaxes your eyes.

La Roche Posay Serozinc* | £8.50 (large bottle)
This product is literally designed for me because firstly it's targeted for oily, blemish-prone skin and secondly, it comes in a spray which saves so much time which if you know me by now I am always looking for ways to save time. I spray my face with this as soon as I have cleansed my skin in the evening or if my skin is in need of refreshment. This leaves my skin feeling so hydrated and less shiny or greasy. I've definitely seen results on this product as well, it has reduced any oiliness or spots I may have down so much! It's overall a really enjoyable product to have that works like a charm.

As much as I hate the smell of cucumber I always reach out for products with it in as I find it's so refreshing on the skin and is definitely what we need in this muggy weather. This cleanser is so gentle on my face and it leaves it feeling fresh and hydrated. I always like to pop this one once I have taken my makeup off as an everyday cleanser. It doesn't do anything with regards to my imperfections but it is a nice, gentle cleanser suitable for all skin types.

My Little Beauty Face & Body Spray | From MLB Box
This is an energizing mist is not just for your face but your body too! This is perfect if you are feeling hot or in need of something refreshing sprayed all over your skin. Enriched with vitamin C and green tea this energizing spray is definitely a one to pop in your bag for on the go refreshments. I like to use this to cool down with or if I just feel really agitated with the weather.

LUSH Mask of Magnaminty | £6.25
I have tried and reviewed so many of LUSH's face masks but the one I never tried was this one. You can use this mask not only for your face but for your body too, so this is perfect if you suffer from chest or back spots. I love exfoliating products in the warmer months because they always leave my skin feeling so soft and clean. Definitely, the kind of product you want in your skincare routine to freshen up with. This reduces any oiliness I have and helps combat pesky spots I tend to get due to the heat.

What product do you reach for to refresh with??
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