When I'm out and about I don't want the fuss of getting out my mirror and lippy and trying to apply the perfect bold lip, I'd much rather have a lipstick I know will look good when I'm quickly applying it on the tube or on the way to meet friends. This is my little roundup of lipsticks that look good no matter what! To make this easy, I'm going to be talking about them in order of the swatches, from top to bottom!

Clinique Chubby Stick, Super Strawberry: These chubby sticks are the perfect everyday, on-the-go option. They are a sheer tinted balm which hydrates the lips and adds a nice amount of colour. You can build these to be more intense, but the beauty is you can apply it just like a balm and they look great. Super Strawberry is a pinky/berry shade, it's so lovely and great in the summer. I really want to get some more of these as they are by far the easiest things to throw on in the summer.

MAC, Patisserie: Aaah, a classic fav! This is such a gorgeous sheer pinky nude which is great if you have more going on on the eyes. This is a lustre, I love this finish, it's so nourishing on the lips and they apply super creamy and evenly. If I could only pick one nude lipstick to have in my collection it would be this one by far. The colour is very complimentary on my skin tone, and I find once you have the perfect nude your lipstick wardrobe is complete! This is my 'my lips but better' nude, and you can't go wrong with a shade like this.

MAC, Syrup: Syrup is another lustre finish, and lustre finishes as a whole are great for on the go as they're sheer but buildable, very hydrating and forgiving on the lips. This shade in particular is a lovely mauve which I personally adore for everyday. If I know I want a bit more of a statement lip, but don't want the hassle of a liquid lipstick or a lip liner, this is my go-to! If you love Plumful by MAC, this is super similar, but the sheer, subtle version.

Clarins Instant Light Lip Perfecting Balm, 01 Rose: I love these, similarly to the Clinique, you can apply them like a balm and they will add a nice tint to the lips while upping your hydration game. This shade is very very light, so it applies like a normal balm with a bit more gloss. The smell alone will make you want these, but they're so hydrating and they feel amazing on the lips. It's the perfect fuss free lip option! I have a couple of the more bright shades which are also stunning and make a lovely glossy lip.

NARS Satin Lip Pencil, Torres Del Paine: NARS lip pencils are an amazing formula, especially the satin range. I love the pencil applicator, it makes it really easy to get a defined lip with minimal effort.  This is a coral, so I had to include it as it's summer after all, it's super creamy and looks so beautiful on the lips, especially if paired with bronzy skin. There are a couple of other nude shades in this range which are stunning and so easy to apply with or without a mirror, so I would definitely recommend checking them out!

Lipsticks You Don't Need A Mirror For.

Beauty

When I'm out and about I don't want the fuss of getting out my mirror and lippy and trying to apply the perfect bold lip, I'd much rather have a lipstick I know will look good when I'm quickly applying it on the tube or on the way to meet friends. This is my little roundup of lipsticks that look good no matter what! To make this easy, I'm going to be talking about them in order of the swatches, from top to bottom!

Clinique Chubby Stick, Super Strawberry: These chubby sticks are the perfect everyday, on-the-go option. They are a sheer tinted balm which hydrates the lips and adds a nice amount of colour. You can build these to be more intense, but the beauty is you can apply it just like a balm and they look great. Super Strawberry is a pinky/berry shade, it's so lovely and great in the summer. I really want to get some more of these as they are by far the easiest things to throw on in the summer.

MAC, Patisserie: Aaah, a classic fav! This is such a gorgeous sheer pinky nude which is great if you have more going on on the eyes. This is a lustre, I love this finish, it's so nourishing on the lips and they apply super creamy and evenly. If I could only pick one nude lipstick to have in my collection it would be this one by far. The colour is very complimentary on my skin tone, and I find once you have the perfect nude your lipstick wardrobe is complete! This is my 'my lips but better' nude, and you can't go wrong with a shade like this.

MAC, Syrup: Syrup is another lustre finish, and lustre finishes as a whole are great for on the go as they're sheer but buildable, very hydrating and forgiving on the lips. This shade in particular is a lovely mauve which I personally adore for everyday. If I know I want a bit more of a statement lip, but don't want the hassle of a liquid lipstick or a lip liner, this is my go-to! If you love Plumful by MAC, this is super similar, but the sheer, subtle version.

Clarins Instant Light Lip Perfecting Balm, 01 Rose: I love these, similarly to the Clinique, you can apply them like a balm and they will add a nice tint to the lips while upping your hydration game. This shade is very very light, so it applies like a normal balm with a bit more gloss. The smell alone will make you want these, but they're so hydrating and they feel amazing on the lips. It's the perfect fuss free lip option! I have a couple of the more bright shades which are also stunning and make a lovely glossy lip.

NARS Satin Lip Pencil, Torres Del Paine: NARS lip pencils are an amazing formula, especially the satin range. I love the pencil applicator, it makes it really easy to get a defined lip with minimal effort.  This is a coral, so I had to include it as it's summer after all, it's super creamy and looks so beautiful on the lips, especially if paired with bronzy skin. There are a couple of other nude shades in this range which are stunning and so easy to apply with or without a mirror, so I would definitely recommend checking them out!

Read more »

Saturday, July 30, 2016

My makeup has been super minimal lately, and I've been loving the whole 'no makeup, makeup'. I've been super busy and have really been focusing on natural products to enhance and define my features. I'm a lover of a bold lip and winged liner, but on the daily, I'm all about the nudes.

For my skin I've been back into my Bare Minerals Complexion Rescue Tinted Gel which is a perfect summer base. It's a tinted gel, so it offers a lot of hydration whilst evening out the skin tone and feeling super lightweight on the skin, a must for me in the heat! I use this with a buffing brush and it leaves my skin looking naturally radiant and glowing. After I've finished with my concealer etc, I'll move onto my cheeks, and I'm loving using a more brown toned blush like the Laura Mercier Cream Blush in Blaze. You wouldn't be able to use this a bronzer, but it's lovely brown/pink shade which is super natural and gives a nice glow to the cheeks. Colours like this I find really flattering on every skin tone and they are so lovely all year round. They're also the perfect colour to pair with a red lip! Of course I can't leave the cheeks without doing a bit of highlighter, and sticking with the cream products I've been reaching for the Topshop Glow Cream Highlighter which is a gorgeous champagne gold shade. I pat this on the tops of my cheek bones, tip of my nose and cupids bow. I always pat this product in as I can find it sometimes moves my base around underneath if I use a brush or sweeping motions.

For my eyes I use a skin toned base, such as the Maybelline Colour Tattoo in Creamy Beige, my favourite nude cream shadow ever! It's super pigmented, doesn't crease and lasts all day, it's also super inexpensive so you really can't go wrong! Next I pick out my favourite neutral matte palette and blend a medium toned brown into the crease. To define the lash line I'll take a dark brown or black eyeshadow on an angled brush and run that along my upper lash line, keeping it as close to the roots as possible. The Charlotte Tilbury Sophisticate Eye Quad is perfect for this, all the shades are very buttery and blend well together. If I want a bit more liner I'll pop some Make Up Forever Aqua Liner in the shade 19 in my upper and lower waterline. This is a very subtle brown shade, but I love it for more natural days as it defines, but isn't super detectable on the eyes.

Last thing to cover is lips. I have loads of nude/sheer options I could talk about, but today I thought I'd give a quick mention to MAC's Velvet Teddy. This is a very warm toned, caramel-ly nude which is a lovely everyday shade. It's not as pink as some other nudes I own and love, but it's still a really beautiful shade and a must if you're into your nude lips. 

Go Nude.

Beauty

My makeup has been super minimal lately, and I've been loving the whole 'no makeup, makeup'. I've been super busy and have really been focusing on natural products to enhance and define my features. I'm a lover of a bold lip and winged liner, but on the daily, I'm all about the nudes.

For my skin I've been back into my Bare Minerals Complexion Rescue Tinted Gel which is a perfect summer base. It's a tinted gel, so it offers a lot of hydration whilst evening out the skin tone and feeling super lightweight on the skin, a must for me in the heat! I use this with a buffing brush and it leaves my skin looking naturally radiant and glowing. After I've finished with my concealer etc, I'll move onto my cheeks, and I'm loving using a more brown toned blush like the Laura Mercier Cream Blush in Blaze. You wouldn't be able to use this a bronzer, but it's lovely brown/pink shade which is super natural and gives a nice glow to the cheeks. Colours like this I find really flattering on every skin tone and they are so lovely all year round. They're also the perfect colour to pair with a red lip! Of course I can't leave the cheeks without doing a bit of highlighter, and sticking with the cream products I've been reaching for the Topshop Glow Cream Highlighter which is a gorgeous champagne gold shade. I pat this on the tops of my cheek bones, tip of my nose and cupids bow. I always pat this product in as I can find it sometimes moves my base around underneath if I use a brush or sweeping motions.

For my eyes I use a skin toned base, such as the Maybelline Colour Tattoo in Creamy Beige, my favourite nude cream shadow ever! It's super pigmented, doesn't crease and lasts all day, it's also super inexpensive so you really can't go wrong! Next I pick out my favourite neutral matte palette and blend a medium toned brown into the crease. To define the lash line I'll take a dark brown or black eyeshadow on an angled brush and run that along my upper lash line, keeping it as close to the roots as possible. The Charlotte Tilbury Sophisticate Eye Quad is perfect for this, all the shades are very buttery and blend well together. If I want a bit more liner I'll pop some Make Up Forever Aqua Liner in the shade 19 in my upper and lower waterline. This is a very subtle brown shade, but I love it for more natural days as it defines, but isn't super detectable on the eyes.

Last thing to cover is lips. I have loads of nude/sheer options I could talk about, but today I thought I'd give a quick mention to MAC's Velvet Teddy. This is a very warm toned, caramel-ly nude which is a lovely everyday shade. It's not as pink as some other nudes I own and love, but it's still a really beautiful shade and a must if you're into your nude lips. 

Read more »

Thursday, July 28, 2016

I've really changed up my skincare game for the summertime and I'm loving the new selection of products I picked up about a month ago. I was having one of those weeks where everything was running out at once, and I realised I was only left with a cleanser, eye cream and a load of minis...so naturally, I did a bit of shopping. There were a load of products I wanted to try out and I'm super happy with how my skin has been looking lately. I wanted simple, kind to skin products which I could easily use to give my skin some nourishment and hydration. I'm going to be covering both my morning and nighttime routines, so grab a cuppa as this may be a long one!

AM

______________

In the morning, I would skip toner and eye cream to keep things really simple and quick. Lately, however, I've had a bit more time so have thrown in some extra products. I'll do my skincare routine first thing when I wake up, to give it time to sink in before applying my makeup. I always find leaving your skincare 10-15 minutes before going in with makeup makes your foundation apply so much better and it sits more naturally on the skin as it won't be slipping around on top of your moisturiser. I'll start off by cleansing the skin using my Oskia Renaissance Cleansing Gel, in conjunction with my Clarisonic Mia. This is such a dream team and makes my skin super soft before going in with any other product. The Oskia gel is a really light gel-cream formula which hydrates the skin, leaving it radiant and nourished. I'll pop this on dry skin and massage it in before going in with my dampened Clarisonic - I use the delicate brush head for reference - for one minute around my face before washing off the excess with a warm muslin cloth or flannel. I've really been enjoying my morning cleanse, it's such an important step to ensure your skin is clean before makeup. After that I'll use a hydrating spritz of my Pixi Hydrating Milky Mist, and it really is just that. The spray is very fine, meaning it sinks in quickly. I always pat this in to get the best results and I love how my skin feels after, it's such a great pick-me-up product. Next I'll move onto a serum, and I always prefer using a cream serum rather than an oil, as I feel my skin doesn't need an oil in the morning. I've been using the This Works Energy Bank Skin Glow Serum which has a really lovely pearlescent formula, making the skin radiant and glowing. I only use one pump of this and pat it into my skin, it's really great stuff. A lot of my skincare is geared to making my skin more radiant as that's what I lack, and I've never found a serum which makes my skin as dewy as this one. Next I'll go in with an eye cream, and I'm still using my Clinique All About Eyes Cream as it's a really lightweight, fuss free, hydrating eye cream which is perfect for restoring tired eyes. It's more of a gel consistency, but I much prefer that for my puffy under eyes. Finally I'll use a moisturiser to add a final dose of hydration and provide the perfect base for makeup. The Pixi H2O Skin Drink is what I've been using and it's really good for dehydrated skin. I do prefer my moisturisers a bit more on the creamy side - this is more of a gel - so I probably won't be repurchasing, but it does the job!

PM

______________

My evening routine is where I really go to town on the lotions and potions. The products I tend to use are a lot more nourishing and targeted to my dry skin. I will start off with removing my makeup, and I'll either grab a micellar water, at the moment I'm using the Caudalie Micellar Water which is really light and kind to the skin, or an oil. My favourite oil is The Body Shop Camomile Cleansing Oil, it removes makeup so well and my skin doesn't feel tight or dry after use. Once my makeup is removed I'll use my REN Gentle Cleansing Milk and my Clarisonic again, to give my skin a really good deep clean. I'll still use my Clarasonic for one minute as I don't want to strip the skin, but it does such a great job at getting all the dirt out and reaching the deeper layers of skin which you wouldn't get normally. Once that's done, I'll rinse with a warm muslin cloth, and don't be afraid to get it hotter than normal, it feel soo relaxing and nice on the skin! If I want a quick treatment, or if my skin is a bit duller than usual, I'll normally reach for my REN One Minute Facial. This contains water-activated Vitamin C which helps to firm the skin and make it appear more radiant. You simply massage it into your skin with a bit of water, keep going for just one minute and you're skin will be glowing. This is my go-to after a long, tiring day!  I'll then use the Liz Earle Skin Tonic on a cotton pad to sooth and refresh my skin. I also find this picks up any excess dirt, and you'll be surprised even after double cleansing, how much dirt may still be lurking on your skin. They also do this in a spritz version which is lovely to use in the mornings after cleansing. Next step is to use an oil, and I've been obsessed with the Sarah Chapman Skineses Overnight Facial Oil. This is such a luxurious feeling product, it smells like a spa, and when I wake up my skin looks so much more even and hydrated. I pat one pump of this over the skin and it's packed with vitamins A, C and E which restore skin cells and help plump. I always used the same old oil, but this is definitely rivalling my favourite and I'm so happy I branched out. I like quite a heavy layer of eye cream in the evenings to help the appearance of them when I wake up. I've been using the Keihls Creamy Avocado Eye Treatment which super hydrating and great for both morning and night. I'm only 19, so I'm not looking for anything groundbreaking when it comes to my eye area, but I do want a good dose of nourishment and this really gives me that. Last but not least, I moisturise. I'm still loving my Origins Night-A-Mins Moisturiser, it's such a nice formula, sinks in beautifully and my skin loves it. It's full of Vitamin C, so my skin feels firmer and looks brighter after using this. If I need a bit of colour, I'll add in some Clarins Liquid Bronze Self Tanning to give me a nice bronze glow by the morning. I don't tend to use this on it's own, but mixed in with something else, I love it! 

SaveSave

Summer Skincare Line-Up.

Skincare

I've really changed up my skincare game for the summertime and I'm loving the new selection of products I picked up about a month ago. I was having one of those weeks where everything was running out at once, and I realised I was only left with a cleanser, eye cream and a load of minis...so naturally, I did a bit of shopping. There were a load of products I wanted to try out and I'm super happy with how my skin has been looking lately. I wanted simple, kind to skin products which I could easily use to give my skin some nourishment and hydration. I'm going to be covering both my morning and nighttime routines, so grab a cuppa as this may be a long one!

AM

______________

In the morning, I would skip toner and eye cream to keep things really simple and quick. Lately, however, I've had a bit more time so have thrown in some extra products. I'll do my skincare routine first thing when I wake up, to give it time to sink in before applying my makeup. I always find leaving your skincare 10-15 minutes before going in with makeup makes your foundation apply so much better and it sits more naturally on the skin as it won't be slipping around on top of your moisturiser. I'll start off by cleansing the skin using my Oskia Renaissance Cleansing Gel, in conjunction with my Clarisonic Mia. This is such a dream team and makes my skin super soft before going in with any other product. The Oskia gel is a really light gel-cream formula which hydrates the skin, leaving it radiant and nourished. I'll pop this on dry skin and massage it in before going in with my dampened Clarisonic - I use the delicate brush head for reference - for one minute around my face before washing off the excess with a warm muslin cloth or flannel. I've really been enjoying my morning cleanse, it's such an important step to ensure your skin is clean before makeup. After that I'll use a hydrating spritz of my Pixi Hydrating Milky Mist, and it really is just that. The spray is very fine, meaning it sinks in quickly. I always pat this in to get the best results and I love how my skin feels after, it's such a great pick-me-up product. Next I'll move onto a serum, and I always prefer using a cream serum rather than an oil, as I feel my skin doesn't need an oil in the morning. I've been using the This Works Energy Bank Skin Glow Serum which has a really lovely pearlescent formula, making the skin radiant and glowing. I only use one pump of this and pat it into my skin, it's really great stuff. A lot of my skincare is geared to making my skin more radiant as that's what I lack, and I've never found a serum which makes my skin as dewy as this one. Next I'll go in with an eye cream, and I'm still using my Clinique All About Eyes Cream as it's a really lightweight, fuss free, hydrating eye cream which is perfect for restoring tired eyes. It's more of a gel consistency, but I much prefer that for my puffy under eyes. Finally I'll use a moisturiser to add a final dose of hydration and provide the perfect base for makeup. The Pixi H2O Skin Drink is what I've been using and it's really good for dehydrated skin. I do prefer my moisturisers a bit more on the creamy side - this is more of a gel - so I probably won't be repurchasing, but it does the job!

PM

______________

My evening routine is where I really go to town on the lotions and potions. The products I tend to use are a lot more nourishing and targeted to my dry skin. I will start off with removing my makeup, and I'll either grab a micellar water, at the moment I'm using the Caudalie Micellar Water which is really light and kind to the skin, or an oil. My favourite oil is The Body Shop Camomile Cleansing Oil, it removes makeup so well and my skin doesn't feel tight or dry after use. Once my makeup is removed I'll use my REN Gentle Cleansing Milk and my Clarisonic again, to give my skin a really good deep clean. I'll still use my Clarasonic for one minute as I don't want to strip the skin, but it does such a great job at getting all the dirt out and reaching the deeper layers of skin which you wouldn't get normally. Once that's done, I'll rinse with a warm muslin cloth, and don't be afraid to get it hotter than normal, it feel soo relaxing and nice on the skin! If I want a quick treatment, or if my skin is a bit duller than usual, I'll normally reach for my REN One Minute Facial. This contains water-activated Vitamin C which helps to firm the skin and make it appear more radiant. You simply massage it into your skin with a bit of water, keep going for just one minute and you're skin will be glowing. This is my go-to after a long, tiring day!  I'll then use the Liz Earle Skin Tonic on a cotton pad to sooth and refresh my skin. I also find this picks up any excess dirt, and you'll be surprised even after double cleansing, how much dirt may still be lurking on your skin. They also do this in a spritz version which is lovely to use in the mornings after cleansing. Next step is to use an oil, and I've been obsessed with the Sarah Chapman Skineses Overnight Facial Oil. This is such a luxurious feeling product, it smells like a spa, and when I wake up my skin looks so much more even and hydrated. I pat one pump of this over the skin and it's packed with vitamins A, C and E which restore skin cells and help plump. I always used the same old oil, but this is definitely rivalling my favourite and I'm so happy I branched out. I like quite a heavy layer of eye cream in the evenings to help the appearance of them when I wake up. I've been using the Keihls Creamy Avocado Eye Treatment which super hydrating and great for both morning and night. I'm only 19, so I'm not looking for anything groundbreaking when it comes to my eye area, but I do want a good dose of nourishment and this really gives me that. Last but not least, I moisturise. I'm still loving my Origins Night-A-Mins Moisturiser, it's such a nice formula, sinks in beautifully and my skin loves it. It's full of Vitamin C, so my skin feels firmer and looks brighter after using this. If I need a bit of colour, I'll add in some Clarins Liquid Bronze Self Tanning to give me a nice bronze glow by the morning. I don't tend to use this on it's own, but mixed in with something else, I love it! 

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Read more »

Monday, July 25, 2016

I can sometimes struggle with my motivation and productivity levels, especially in the summer when it's warm outside and the last thing you want to do is work. Writing this post now, after working all week, I'm definitely flagging and need to take my own advice and get to it because these posts don't upload themselves! I thought I would give you a little run through of the things I like to do to help me through a working day. 

Keep inspiration all around you//

If you're a blogger, I always find it helps so much for flick through a few of your favourite blogs in the morning to inspire you and get you in the blogging mood, Bloglovin' is the perfect website for this as the blogs you love are all in the same place! In addition to this, keeping magazines, books, recipe books, pictures and quotes around your work space can help motivate you and inspire you to push yourself and think up new and creative content. This can be applied to any kind of work, and I find it works great as they act as a visual reminder of what you may want to achieve. 

Stay healthy and hydrated//

If you load your body up with bad fats and sugars, you'll start to feel really lethargic halfway though the day, and all you'll want to do is lay down and nap. There's nothing wrong with a nap every now and then, but when you have shiz to do, staying awake is always helpful. Another bonus tip there for you! By always having a glass of water on your desk, and having healthy, yet, fulfilling meals, you'll feel a lot more energised and ready to face the day. I always aim for 6-8 glasses of water a day. 

Always keep in mind your end goal//

No matter how big or small the task, having a clear image of the end result in your mind can really help you push through. With me and blogging, I always write myself a list of products I want to mention and points I want to cover and I'm not satisfied until everything has been written about. Also the feedback and comments I get from my followers make me super exited to upload a new post. This can also be applied to fitness, if you feel in a slump and don't want to work out, think of where you want to be in a months time. 

Write a list//

I may sound sad, but I do love a good list. There's no better feeling than ticking off your tasks as you go so you can see how much progress your making. I also find them so super helpful if you feel you have loads to do, once you write it out, it may not be as much as you think, and you can get cracking with a clear headspace. If there's an excuse to write a list, I'll write one! I love writing them in a notepad, I just feel a lot more satisfied once I start ticking them off, but I also keep a couple in my phone for when I'm on-the-go. They are great for organising your day and making sure you don't miss any important tasks. 

A change of scenery//

If you're tired of working at your desk all the time, take it outside, to to your local coffee shop. The buzz and atmosphere of other people around you can be really inspiring and you'll be surprised how much you can get done and the ideas you have conjure up, just by chaining your location. If you work in an office environment and bringing your work outside is physically impossible, try taking a walk, or having lunch outside as oppose to the cafeteria down the hall. 

Tidy space, tidy mind//

A classic quote I try to apply to my daily life, it sometimes happens, it sometimes doesn't, we aren't all perfect. If you keep your workspace tidy, I guarantee you'll feel a lot happier about sitting down to work, and you'll feel more organised and put together. Even if in reality you've already had 50 cups of coffee and put your shirt on the wrong way round when you were getting changed this morning, a tidy desk should make you feel better about the whole situation and stand you in good stead for the productive work day ahead. 

Top Tips For Being More Productive.

Lifestyle

I can sometimes struggle with my motivation and productivity levels, especially in the summer when it's warm outside and the last thing you want to do is work. Writing this post now, after working all week, I'm definitely flagging and need to take my own advice and get to it because these posts don't upload themselves! I thought I would give you a little run through of the things I like to do to help me through a working day. 

Keep inspiration all around you//

If you're a blogger, I always find it helps so much for flick through a few of your favourite blogs in the morning to inspire you and get you in the blogging mood, Bloglovin' is the perfect website for this as the blogs you love are all in the same place! In addition to this, keeping magazines, books, recipe books, pictures and quotes around your work space can help motivate you and inspire you to push yourself and think up new and creative content. This can be applied to any kind of work, and I find it works great as they act as a visual reminder of what you may want to achieve. 

Stay healthy and hydrated//

If you load your body up with bad fats and sugars, you'll start to feel really lethargic halfway though the day, and all you'll want to do is lay down and nap. There's nothing wrong with a nap every now and then, but when you have shiz to do, staying awake is always helpful. Another bonus tip there for you! By always having a glass of water on your desk, and having healthy, yet, fulfilling meals, you'll feel a lot more energised and ready to face the day. I always aim for 6-8 glasses of water a day. 

Always keep in mind your end goal//

No matter how big or small the task, having a clear image of the end result in your mind can really help you push through. With me and blogging, I always write myself a list of products I want to mention and points I want to cover and I'm not satisfied until everything has been written about. Also the feedback and comments I get from my followers make me super exited to upload a new post. This can also be applied to fitness, if you feel in a slump and don't want to work out, think of where you want to be in a months time. 

Write a list//

I may sound sad, but I do love a good list. There's no better feeling than ticking off your tasks as you go so you can see how much progress your making. I also find them so super helpful if you feel you have loads to do, once you write it out, it may not be as much as you think, and you can get cracking with a clear headspace. If there's an excuse to write a list, I'll write one! I love writing them in a notepad, I just feel a lot more satisfied once I start ticking them off, but I also keep a couple in my phone for when I'm on-the-go. They are great for organising your day and making sure you don't miss any important tasks. 

A change of scenery//

If you're tired of working at your desk all the time, take it outside, to to your local coffee shop. The buzz and atmosphere of other people around you can be really inspiring and you'll be surprised how much you can get done and the ideas you have conjure up, just by chaining your location. If you work in an office environment and bringing your work outside is physically impossible, try taking a walk, or having lunch outside as oppose to the cafeteria down the hall. 

Tidy space, tidy mind//

A classic quote I try to apply to my daily life, it sometimes happens, it sometimes doesn't, we aren't all perfect. If you keep your workspace tidy, I guarantee you'll feel a lot happier about sitting down to work, and you'll feel more organised and put together. Even if in reality you've already had 50 cups of coffee and put your shirt on the wrong way round when you were getting changed this morning, a tidy desk should make you feel better about the whole situation and stand you in good stead for the productive work day ahead. 

Read more »

Saturday, July 23, 2016

Highlighters are by far my favourite face product to use, they are so pretty and can really change your makeup game. There are loads I love and use, from cream to powders, I think there are loads of great ones that everyone can use and fall in love with. Anastasia are a brand known for their brow products, but every new release seems to be just as good, they're definitely becoming more and more loved as the days go on. Today I have their Glow Kit in Sun Dipped which is just beautiful!

These glow kits come in a few colour variations, Sun Dipped is definitely more golden bronze, which is gorgeous in the summertime. You get four shades in here, Bronzed, Summer, Tourmaline and Moonstone. The formula of these are amazing too, they're all really buttery and nicely pigmented, they aren't too in your face but you can definitely build them up to get an intense glow. To apply these I will either reach for a fan brush or a small blush/bronzer brush, I find these the best for applying them in a concentrated area.

Bronzed and Tourmaline are the two darker shades which are absolutely beautiful as eyeshadows as well as on the cheeks. If you have a darker skin tone both of these would work really well for you. I love to use a light dusting of these across the nose and the tops of the cheeks to cheat that sun kissed bronze look. If you have this kit but find you don't reach for these colours as much as they're too dark, try them on the eyes and you'll find yourself using them all the time! The two shades on the right are a lot lighter, and give you that beautiful candlelight glow on the cheeks which is so flattering. Summer is a bit lighter than Moonstone, but they are both champagne shades. Summer is a touch more golden, whereas Moonstone has a bit more peach/pink running through it. These are lovely on the tops of the cheekbones, down the nose and on the cupids bow, the standard highlighting spots. 

The Highlighting Kit Of Dreams.

Makeup & Nails

Highlighters are by far my favourite face product to use, they are so pretty and can really change your makeup game. There are loads I love and use, from cream to powders, I think there are loads of great ones that everyone can use and fall in love with. Anastasia are a brand known for their brow products, but every new release seems to be just as good, they're definitely becoming more and more loved as the days go on. Today I have their Glow Kit in Sun Dipped which is just beautiful!

These glow kits come in a few colour variations, Sun Dipped is definitely more golden bronze, which is gorgeous in the summertime. You get four shades in here, Bronzed, Summer, Tourmaline and Moonstone. The formula of these are amazing too, they're all really buttery and nicely pigmented, they aren't too in your face but you can definitely build them up to get an intense glow. To apply these I will either reach for a fan brush or a small blush/bronzer brush, I find these the best for applying them in a concentrated area.

Bronzed and Tourmaline are the two darker shades which are absolutely beautiful as eyeshadows as well as on the cheeks. If you have a darker skin tone both of these would work really well for you. I love to use a light dusting of these across the nose and the tops of the cheeks to cheat that sun kissed bronze look. If you have this kit but find you don't reach for these colours as much as they're too dark, try them on the eyes and you'll find yourself using them all the time! The two shades on the right are a lot lighter, and give you that beautiful candlelight glow on the cheeks which is so flattering. Summer is a bit lighter than Moonstone, but they are both champagne shades. Summer is a touch more golden, whereas Moonstone has a bit more peach/pink running through it. These are lovely on the tops of the cheekbones, down the nose and on the cupids bow, the standard highlighting spots. 

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Thursday, July 21, 2016

Bronzers are a staple in my summer makeup arsenal, so I'm always super excited to find another one I love. I don't like my bronzers to have too much shimmer, or be too dark/muddy on the skin, and I love a product that I use both to bronze, and define. This one from Too Faced ticks all the boxes. Too Faced is a brand which has now becoming readily available in the UK - yay - and you can find their products at Debenhams across the country, and online. 

Their Milk Chocolate Soliel Bronzer is a great all rounder and I find it works well on my skin tone (light/medium) without coming across orange. The formula is matte, perfect if you like to sculpt the face or bring your bronzer down your neck as it will still look natural. I find this to be on a similar colour wave as NARS Laguna, a warm brown, so if you prefer cooler toned bronzers, maybe give this one a miss. To apply I love to use an angled contour brush as it fits around the face perfectly and you can get a nice blended look without too much effort. Using an angled brush as oppose to a big fluffy brush allows you to have more control of where your placing the product, especially under the cheekbones and down the nose. Also, it smells like chocolate...need I say more?!

Too Faced Milk Chocolate Soliel Bronzer.

Makeup & Nails

Bronzers are a staple in my summer makeup arsenal, so I'm always super excited to find another one I love. I don't like my bronzers to have too much shimmer, or be too dark/muddy on the skin, and I love a product that I use both to bronze, and define. This one from Too Faced ticks all the boxes. Too Faced is a brand which has now becoming readily available in the UK - yay - and you can find their products at Debenhams across the country, and online. 

Their Milk Chocolate Soliel Bronzer is a great all rounder and I find it works well on my skin tone (light/medium) without coming across orange. The formula is matte, perfect if you like to sculpt the face or bring your bronzer down your neck as it will still look natural. I find this to be on a similar colour wave as NARS Laguna, a warm brown, so if you prefer cooler toned bronzers, maybe give this one a miss. To apply I love to use an angled contour brush as it fits around the face perfectly and you can get a nice blended look without too much effort. Using an angled brush as oppose to a big fluffy brush allows you to have more control of where your placing the product, especially under the cheekbones and down the nose. Also, it smells like chocolate...need I say more?!

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Tuesday, July 19, 2016

My everyday makeup has really changed this summer, I've ditched the liquid liner, and medium coverage bases just aren't doing it for me, I've been all about that au natural look. I've always been a fan of dewy skin, and lately I've found that less is definitely more when it comes to achieving a fresh look. Maybe it's the warm weather? Who am I kidding? It's been raining non stop in the UK...

For my base, as I said, less is more, and I find anything more than a light coverage foundation/tinted moisturiser type product isn't sitting right on my skin and looks way to heavy. It's so strange how you skin can go through phases of making your makeup look good, to, absolutely hating it...The L'Oreal Cushion Foundation has been all kinds of magical for me and I'm obsessed!! It's such a lightweight formula which you can easily build if you want a more flawless, covered finish. I use a buffing brush to blend it in, and it never looks cakey or like I'm wearing foundation. It's great if your skin just needs a touch of evening out.

For my cheeks I've been loving adding a natural flush of pink to brighten the face. I've been reaching for the Tarte Amazonian Clay Blush in Dollface for this and the bright fuchsia is so pretty on the cheeks. You don't need a lot of this to give the skin a natural flush of pink. The formula of these are so great and they don't fade throughout the day which can be the case with some powder blushes. If you're in the UK you can purchase Tarte on QVC which is so so good, yay!

Since the new Benefit brow launch, I can't get enough of their Goof Proof Brow Pencil. The nib on this is really easy to work with and makes filling in your brows simple and quick. It's more of a triangular shape, as oppose to a thin nib, which I much prefer. The whole range is super exiting, but this is definitely my favourite out of their new products. They've also made changes to the shade range, by bringing out a few new ones, so theres a colour for everyone. 

On my eyes, I've been reaching for a brown pencil over my black liquid liner...I'm not sure what's happened to me...but I've been loving the more naturally defined look! I've currently been using the Makeup Forever Aqua Liner in the shade 19L which is chestnut brown shade. This is a waterproof pencil so it works great on the waterline and it's the most creamy pencil liner I have ever tired, it's gorgeous! I will just run this along my upper and lower waterline and it gives a lovely subtle feline look to the eyes. I have hazel eyes, so browns really help to compliment them.

I've just done a whole post on this lipstick, and I'm still loving it! I don't normally fall in love with nudes, but the Charlotte Tilbury Bitch Perfect lipstick is one I'm definitely on board with. It's a matte, which again I don't normally reach for when it comes to nudes, but the pink-y beige shade is really complimentary and not too far off my natural lip, so it looks lovely. I would repurchase this on the packaging alone...well done Tilbs.

Makeup Shakeup #5.

Makeup & Nails

My everyday makeup has really changed this summer, I've ditched the liquid liner, and medium coverage bases just aren't doing it for me, I've been all about that au natural look. I've always been a fan of dewy skin, and lately I've found that less is definitely more when it comes to achieving a fresh look. Maybe it's the warm weather? Who am I kidding? It's been raining non stop in the UK...

For my base, as I said, less is more, and I find anything more than a light coverage foundation/tinted moisturiser type product isn't sitting right on my skin and looks way to heavy. It's so strange how you skin can go through phases of making your makeup look good, to, absolutely hating it...The L'Oreal Cushion Foundation has been all kinds of magical for me and I'm obsessed!! It's such a lightweight formula which you can easily build if you want a more flawless, covered finish. I use a buffing brush to blend it in, and it never looks cakey or like I'm wearing foundation. It's great if your skin just needs a touch of evening out.

For my cheeks I've been loving adding a natural flush of pink to brighten the face. I've been reaching for the Tarte Amazonian Clay Blush in Dollface for this and the bright fuchsia is so pretty on the cheeks. You don't need a lot of this to give the skin a natural flush of pink. The formula of these are so great and they don't fade throughout the day which can be the case with some powder blushes. If you're in the UK you can purchase Tarte on QVC which is so so good, yay!

Since the new Benefit brow launch, I can't get enough of their Goof Proof Brow Pencil. The nib on this is really easy to work with and makes filling in your brows simple and quick. It's more of a triangular shape, as oppose to a thin nib, which I much prefer. The whole range is super exiting, but this is definitely my favourite out of their new products. They've also made changes to the shade range, by bringing out a few new ones, so theres a colour for everyone. 

On my eyes, I've been reaching for a brown pencil over my black liquid liner...I'm not sure what's happened to me...but I've been loving the more naturally defined look! I've currently been using the Makeup Forever Aqua Liner in the shade 19L which is chestnut brown shade. This is a waterproof pencil so it works great on the waterline and it's the most creamy pencil liner I have ever tired, it's gorgeous! I will just run this along my upper and lower waterline and it gives a lovely subtle feline look to the eyes. I have hazel eyes, so browns really help to compliment them.

I've just done a whole post on this lipstick, and I'm still loving it! I don't normally fall in love with nudes, but the Charlotte Tilbury Bitch Perfect lipstick is one I'm definitely on board with. It's a matte, which again I don't normally reach for when it comes to nudes, but the pink-y beige shade is really complimentary and not too far off my natural lip, so it looks lovely. I would repurchase this on the packaging alone...well done Tilbs.

Read more »

Sunday, July 17, 2016