Sunday 13 April 2014

Casual Sunday

Casual Sunday

Casual Sunday by beautyshine 

Happy Sunday guys! For me, Sundays are all about the casual; the messy bun, the slouchy tops and just enjoying your day in whatever way you like. This collection I have put together on Polyvore sums up Summer Sundays for me. I know the Watermelon top wont be everybody's cup of tea with the rest of the outfit but I'm liking it. 

I think the single silver charm bracelet is all that's needed to accessorize this simple chic look. I'm also loving the ray bans and phone case. 

Finally, what could put you more in a Summer mood than a spritz of Marc Jacobs Daisy and some lip care. I'm desperate to try the EOS balms!

How do you like to relax on Sundays? What do you like to wear?

Until next time
xx

Saturday 12 April 2014

6 Lipsticks: Lip Gloss


The final installment of this series is all about lip gloss. Some high street, some high end (Benefit, I'm looking at you) and some to just plain avoid. I'd also like to add I wrote this before receiving my Tanya Burr gloss and so a bonus product to try; Tanya Burr lip gloss. 



Beginning with the brightest of them all, Rimmel Apocalips are fantastic. They were hyped up so much around their release but I feel like the hype has died down so much so that I never see them around on blogs anymore. Give this product more love guys! Buy here.

Model co Strip Tease is a lip gloss my friend got free in a magazine and gave to me because she's not a makeup type of girl. Although usually I'm begging her to let me do her makeup, this one time I was grateful she wasn't bothered because I love this gloss! As far as freebies go, this one is a good one. I even wore it to my prom!

Benefit Life On The A List is a very pigmented nude gloss that can easily be worn alone or on top of a product. I have the mini which came in this set I was gifted, I do like it a lot but not to the extent that I would buy the full size.

Revlon Cherries In The Glow is my all time favourite gloss, I love it, you will love it, everyone loves it. If you don't own it, buy it. It suits everybody and it goes with most lipsticks. It even has an SPF of 15. BUY IT

A while ago my nearest chemist had a clear out of Collection 2000 Love your lips lip glosses, you know when they throw everything in a box on the counter each for 99p? I picked up a bunch, the one photographed 'Passion' is the brightest pink gloss I own. It's a little sticky and not as opaque as I'd like but it's a great for the price, you can get it here for just 39p. 

Anatomicals is a brand I've not heard much about but my nearest high end shop stocks an amount of their products so I thought I'd try some. I love the quirky packaging, similar to Soap & Glory. The Super Randy Cherry Brandy lip gloss was a let down though, I hate it! It's practically clear, super sticky and gets everywhere. Eughh. I'm hoping other products are much better though. Shop Anatomicals at ASOS here.

What are your favourite lip glosses? Do you even wear lip gloss? 

Until next time
xx

Friday 11 April 2014

Pamper Nights & Easter Goals

It's finally Friday and I, for one, could not be happier! It is also the beginning of two weeks off college, again, I could not be happier. This year the holidays have fallen right when I need them most. Does anyone else find that? Since it's been a long term of exams I thought I'd do a pamper post because that is most definitely what I'll be doing tonight! 


The first thing I do is of course have a long, hot shower to think, relax and also wash my hair. I like to think of my showers as washing the day away, especially if it's been a bad one. When I'm done a light a candle (whichever is my favourite at the time), turn on my fairy lights and dry my hair. 





I actually dried/curled my hair using my brand new 'Big Hair' tool which you can find here. I'll be doing a post about it soon though because I am in love with it. My hair is natural wild and curly but using the big hair tool, the curls are more tame and pretty and my hair feels less dry for some reason... 

sorry for the creased sheets guys, it's amateur photography at its best really... 
So after my shower when I'm in my pjs and dressing gown (ahh bliss), I do a full body moisturise using my S&G Butter Yourself body butter (this stuff is to die for and completely worth £10.50) and usually do a face mask, my favourite at the moment is this one
Then I cleanse, tone and apply a night cream to my face (the black tub), use a lip balm, treat my feet to some foot cream and finish with a good hand cream. All products shown above (except the hand cream) can be found at Boots, here

Don't you just hate it when a photo that looks great on camera looks horrible on the big screen?
Finally, I paint my nails pretty colours - ooOoohH Spring shades - and drink a hot chocolate while watching Netflix. Now, really, can you think of a better evening? No? I thought not. 

I hope you enjoyed reading how I like to relax, make sure to leave a comment and tell me what you do to wind down. I also have some Easter goals I'd like to share with you because if I publish them publicly then I am more likely to stick to them, right? Yeah probably not but I'm going to try. Here they are:
  • Cleanse, Tone & Moisturise - Every day. Twice a day. As the weeks have passed by, my skincare routine has gotten more and more lazy so in the hopes that it'll turn into a habit I'm going to try and cleanse, tone and moisturise each morning and each night. 
  • Eat clean - I have been trying to be healthy all year and I don't think I've done too badly but there is much room for improvement! So throughout Easter when I'm not getting lunch in a not so healthy refectory or snacking on the way home from college I'm going to try and make delicious and nutritious meals and also drink more of the detox water I mentioned here. It tastes so good!
  • Exercise/Blogilates - I'm going to get back into my routine of 10 minutes in the morning and 10 minutes at night on the exercise bike, going for walks and also actually begin my Blogilates calendar because I haven't done that yet. Oops. *hides in shame*
  • Don't be lazy - I want to make the most of my days, yes some will probably be spent in bed watching Frozen or whatever else I'm in the mood for watching, but I would mostly like to do productive things, be outside, ride my horse, bake, read - anything that isn't nothing!
They are my four simple goals so ask me in two weeks if they stuck! Do you like setting goals? Do you have any for this month?

Until next time
xx













Thursday 10 April 2014

Wishlist #6



The last in this little series today, it's been fun. Today I'm showing you what miscellaneous items I'd like. This was quite hard because for months now I've just not been spending and I've got into the habit of not looking for things so that I wont want to buy them - obviously I'll never stop lusting over new makeup and clothes but anything else? Not important. These are the things that made it onto my list...

Herbal Essences High Shine shampoo & conditioner - I'm yet to find a hair duo to meet my needs, my hair has gone down hill over the last year, one minute it's dry and straw like when I wash it, the next it's oily and the ends feel damaged and whenever I'm stressed I get dandruff (ew. I know.). I try my best to care for it but it's a hard job at the moment. Tresemme, Pantene and Head N Shoulders have failed me so I'm thinking a gentle fruity combo is just what I need.

iPhone case - I definitely need a new case for my iPhone 5 and I saw this one on Amazon and thought it was perfect.

Bath & Body Works candles - Please start shipping to the UK? Please? I'll love you forever. The two candles I've featured are  Japanese Cherry Blossom and Hawaiian Hibiscus.

Pretty notebook - I need a new notebook, hand bag size preferably with a cute design for me to write all things from blog ideas to shopping lists and the little bits in between. This one is beautiful. 

Camera - I've always loved photography and wanted a high quality camera, I feel like the need for good blog pictures is an added excuse to buy one. 

Apple laptop - My laptop is extremely temperamental, as I write this the mouse isn't working. I need a new laptop for college work and I'm not sure whether to stick to Windows or go for a Macbook. A controversial one, is it not? I've never liked Apple but it is much better for editing etc 

Elliptical cross trainer - I've been going to the gym and this is my favourite piece of equipment. It burns calories so fast too! I would like one for home use. 

Skinny V - I've read a lot about these drinks, I'd like to try one. Lemon or Berry. They're pretty pricey though. 

That's all for today. Anything your after that falls under the miscellaneous category?

Until next time
xx

Wednesday 9 April 2014

Revlon For The Win!


In the past I've mentioned that Maybelline or maybe even Rimmel were the best on the high street, never Revlon though. However, it hasn't gone unnoticed that Revlon are catching up quick! They have really upped their game recently with lots of new and amazing products being released. Lets take a look at some. 

Highlighting Palettes - Let's start with the most recent, the most hyped and one that I am yet to get my hands on. The highlighting palettes, said to be a dupe for the Bobbi Brown shimmer bricks, are beautiful, cheap and the perfect addition to your makeup bag this S/S. Buy here

Colorburst Matte Balms - I think you either love these or you hate them. I personally like my matte balm, the bright colours are, again, great for S/S and they are nourishing to the lips - unlike most matte finishes. Buy here. 

Photoready Cream Blushes - Another product I'm pretty desperate to get my hands on, these cream blushes are sleek and silky. They claim to be buildable and give a beautiful flush of colour. Buy here.

Lip Butters - One of my favourite products the lip butters came out a while ago but they are still pretty hyped and for a good reason. These are are glossy as a lip gloss, as pigmented as a lipstick and as nourishing and soft as a lip balm. You can't possibly want more from a product. Buy here.

Nail Enamel Electric-Chrome Collection - Brought out for the new Spiderman film, these stunning electric-chrome polishes are a must for those of us who love having fab looking nails. Buy here

What do you think of Revlon? Yay or Nay? Have you tried these prodcuts? Also, I hope you don't mind me taking a break from Battle of the brands, there will me more very soon.

Until next time
xx 

Tuesday 8 April 2014

Tag Tuesday | Blog Your Heart Out


Whenever somebody says heart I just think about Primary school and doodling hearts all over my workbooks. That's why this, although not the slightest bit professional and totally OTT, is what I made for The Blog Your Heart Out Tag.

Who or what encouraged you to start blogging?
I started getting engrossed into YouTube which led me to blogs and I got hooked. I really liked the idea and wanted to try it for myself. For my IT GCSE I actually had to do some blogging and that blog is still live out there, I wont be sharing the URL though. haha!

How did you choose what topics to talk about?
I just went with what I love and what interests me - beauty. I've come to really enjoy lifestyle posts too though. 

What is something that most people don't know about you?
That I blog - but if you're reading this then you do know that. So I would say that I  don't believe in marriage. A totally random fact for you there.

What three words describe your style?
Hmm probably comfortable, off-trend and mismatched! I don't spend much money on clothes and my wardrobe is pretty uncoordinated, though I do like buying shabby chic/feminine sort of things for when I'm not at home on the farm in holey leggings and a baggy t-shirt.

What do you love doing when you aren't blogging?
A business Administration course at college and spend time with my animals. I also watch a bunch of trash TV! haha

I tag any of you who would like to give this a go, feel free to use my image as long as you source it to here, though I wouldn't recommend it unless you like the 6 year old girl look ;) 

Until next time
xx

Monday 7 April 2014

Herbal Essences Hello Hydrate Conditioning Mask


"I'm a deep hair hydro-treatment for very dry, damaged hair. step this way to hydration heaven and say "Super-shine me!" give me 1 minute to do my stuff, and rinse me away. for best results, let's get together 2-3 times a week."

I think I mentioned on Twitter a few weeks ago that I picked this up from Tesco along side a couple of other Herbal Essences products and now I've used it a few times I feel it is review time. Oh but don't ask why the product is sat in a tree, I was feeling experimental - either that or I'm crazy!

The aim of the Hello Hydration Deep Nourishing Intensive Mask for dry/damaged hair is to nourish and rehydrate damaged hair. I wouldn't say it works wonders but it does do its job well. 
The product itself is thick and creamy, it is a light blue and it smells gorgeous, it contains coconut and the scent is strong - it isn't as strong in the hair but it is there. 


When I use this I massage it into the ends of my hair after shampooing as normal and leave it in for about 10 minutes and rinse. It leaves my hair soft and smooth and it feels nourished and truly hydrated. It doesn't claim to de-tangle but for me at least, it does that too, bonus!

Other things I like about this mask are the name and the packaging. The fact that is comes in a decent sized tub means it will last a good amount of time and there will be no waste. The name is quirky and cute, typical of Herbal Essences products.

If my hair is excessively dry (unfortunately I get this a lot) then I like to pair the Hello Hydration Deep Nourishing Intensive Mask with my Avon hair oil and this is the perfect combination for me. 

So if you like the sound of this mask and you have dry or damaged ends then you can find this for £4.39 at Tesco

Until next time
xx






Sunday 6 April 2014

Blogilates & Being Healthy

Isn't this quote just fab?

Blogilates is something that everyone on the bloggersphere seems to be talking about and I wanted in on the action! I downloaded the app had bought the beginner's workout calendar. 
I've mentioned a couple of times recently that my weight isn't exactly a healthy one and I'm hardly body confident. Although I don't expect miracles because I've tried all sorts of exercise regimes, diets and healthy eating plans and never stuck to a single one for long, I do hope that the motivation and inspiration from the blogging community will make me want to give this one a chance for a longer duration. I'll keep you updated, if you like?

One of the things the app has is a section with a bunch of healthy and delicious recipes that I really want to try out, today is a Saturday so I had plenty of time to do just that. The two things I made were the 'Avocado Frozen Yoghurt' and the 'Detox Water for Craving Control & Beautiful Skin'. I didn't think of blogging about it until it was too late so all I can tell you about the frozen yoghurt is that it is quick and easy to make and my Mum loves it. The detox water however, I can share with you...


All you need is one (or two) litre of water and the following ingredients. (Quick disclaimer: These photos are the best quality but my iPhone camera is on its way out, I think. I must buy myself a camera!)


Five chopped strawberries and a hanfull of fresh mint leaves.

A lemon, sliced - I didn't use a full one though. 

An apple, sliced. 

Add some ice to chill. 

Sprinkle some cinnamon on the top and enjoy.


Download the app here or visit the website. If you try this, tweet me your thoughts or leave a comment below!

Until next time
xx

Saturday 5 April 2014

6 Lipsticks: I Regret


This is the last in my little trio of lipstick posts but I will finish of with a lip gloss one next Saturday. I hope you are enjoying this series, getting a glimpse into my collection!


Lets get the worst of the worst out of the way first. These two lipsticks from Evie Mai, a brand I struggle to find, came in a vanity box I treated myself to one Christmas. I hate them. They are the palest of colours that I really cannot imagine suiting anybody, the first one makes you look like death and the second one doesn't come out anywhere near as pink on the lips as it does in the swatch. Also as you may be able to see in the picture, the stick itself goes sort of dry and patchy, odd. Sigh. It really is a shame because they are very creamy and it is a pretty colour. I was extremely disappointed. :( 


MUA Shade 12 is a nice enough colour if you like the glitz and glam, personally I think it looks way OTT on me and after my cousin 'made me look pretty' it isn't in such a good state. I think the glitter is a little too big as well.


There is anything major that I don't like about the AVON lipstick in Berry Berry, the packaging is classic and the colour is beautiful but I can't handle the smell, it is so drying and the shade, although nice, doesn't suit me in the slightest. 


There is just one reason I regret buying the Calvin Klein lipstick in Desire and that is that I really, really do not suit purple lipstick. *Shudder*


Finally, the first MAC lipstick I ever bought and it was a huge let down. I don't, however, think this is down to MAC. I believe this is a fake. I have the shade Shy Girl and it is terrible on application, it doesn't cover the lips and if you go for a second coat it wipes away the first. Full coverage is impossible. It also makes my lips feel horrible and when compared to my other MAC lipsticks, the packaging does differ. Lesson learnt: Always buy direct from the brand and not over Amazon, even if the price is attractive. 


Anndd there we go! Which lipsticks do you regret? Are there any I should avoid?

Until next time
xx

Friday 4 April 2014

March | A Month In Review

- WARNING - 
Grab yourself a cup of tea and get comfy, it's long and picture heavy one.

Today I had planned to do a review of the Herbal Essences Hello Hydrate Deep Nourishing Intensive Mask but then last night I just felt inspired to write this post. If you follow me for my high quality and oh so informative reviews (hah! I wish!) then je suis sorry... oh and I'm also sorry if you are French and just read that but I just adore the French language and accent and although I can't speak it, I like to pretend. 

Anyywayy - It is the 4th of April and I haven't really done anything in regard to saying good bye to March, no monthly favourites from this beauty blogger and no 'Hello April' kinda post - how I swoon over monthly images such as these:


So today I want to talk to you about March and why, for me, it was so great. Well it didn't start out so great as I mentioned in my post 'being grateful' because on the 11th I failed my first attempt at a driving test. Wonderful. Well I wouldn't mind so much but as £30 a lesson and £55 for a test, it's really hard to forgive yourself. 
However, as the month progressed it improved greatly, I can't think of a time throughout March when I was deeply unhappy or depressed, there were no times when I locked myself in my room and cried for hours and there weren't even that many times when I looked in the mirror and mentally abused my body image. Instead, there were times when I laughed so hard with my friends that I cried, there were times I stepped outside of my comfort zone to achieve great things, there were family meals out and I even got a distinction in an exam at college. 



March was also a fantastic month for the blog. I blogged a total of 30 times, that's equivalent to almost once a day. I reached 138 Twitter followers, 80 Glipho followers and 66 Bloglovin followers - I've linked all of those networks so you can follow me because you just have to do some shameless self promotion sometimes!
I have produced my very own header with a little help from the internet using Picmonkey, introduced some pages and played around with my overall layout. It's not perfect yet but it's getting somewhat closer.

I have participated in the #Socialbloggers chats (Saturdays 6pm - 7pm UK time) and met some lovely bloggers and found some amazing blogs, I have been inspired and motivated and I am just extremely happy and proud to be a part of the blogging community at the moment. Blogging is honestly always on my mind and I am always thinking of ways to improve and better my skills and knowledge whether it be on the tech side of blogging or the social side.


Decide for yourself if that quote is relevant, I just really like it and wanted to include it.

Something that has been on my mind a lot lately is the whole anonymous blogger thing. I'm not even slightly comfortable with telling my family or those who know me about my blog yet (excluding some friends who I've already told) but I would like to be confident enough to use my own name and my own picture. It's crazy that I am so insecure that I can't even use my name in case somebody finds my blog. I am proud of my space on the net and I am content with the way it is growing. I want to be more personal with you and share more about my life. So, what do you think? Being brave is SO much easier said that done for me but I'm leaning towards thinking I'm ready. 

I think what scares me most is rejection, failure and humiliation. I care too much what other people think and I'm not exactly surrounded by support. A girl in my year started a YouTube channel a couple of years ago and when everybody at school found out they spread the link on Facebook and laughed behind her back and played her videos in class. I could never cope with that. The Isle of Man, for all it's beauty, is full of judgmental, cruel people even more so that those that really care. *Sigh*
I've always been the shy one, it's not done me any good at all. I dream of being outgoing and confident! I'm even doubting publishing this post.


I love this picture. I should keep it engraved on my mind at all times. Anyway, I think it's time to wrap this post up.

I warned you this would be long and rambly at the beginning but well done and thank you if you made it to the end! I truly am so grateful to every single person who takes some time to read my posts and leave comments. 

Until next time
xx


Thursday 3 April 2014

Wishlist #5

- Sorry for bad photo quality, there isn't much I can do as they're direct from the website - 

I'm not much of a shoe person, I'll take what is in my wardrobe and make it work. Practical, comfy and not too shabby and I'll take them. I do love a gorgeous heel or sandal but you don't get many to accommodate a size 9, EEE flat footed gal unfortunately :( 
I don't mind doing window shopping for the sake of my blog though and my bank account can rest knowing it wont be touched. 

Everything in the picture is from Next or New Look - are you noticing from this series that I only ever shop from the same few places?

Any shoes on your wishlist? Maybe a designer pair that I couldn't even dream of? I'd love to hear. 

Until next time
xx


Wednesday 2 April 2014

Battle of the Brands #3


This week in Battle of the Brands I am comparing eye shadow primers from Smashbox and Urban Decay.


The Smashbox Photo Finish Lid Primer (full size) retails for £15.00 here. I have the mini version which I got in a set of the photo finish range for wear at my prom last year. I really love all of the products though I must admit of the three, this is my least favourite. 
Don't get me wrong this is a good primer it just dries out so easily and there isn't much product inside the bottle.

It has a doe foot applicator that applies a good amount to the lid which I then blend out. It is much more light weight that the UD primer potion which is a bonus and is also more matches to my skin tone so doesn't make my eye lid look orange before I put on my makeup. 


I swear by the Urban Decay primer potion. I've used it for a coupe of years now and love it but it does have its cons.

Pros include the beautiful packaging, how long one bottle lasts (and I only have the mini) and of course that it keeps eye shadow in place all day.

Cons are that it feels heavy on the lids, you can apply too much and it makes the skin slightly orange which I don't like. 

You can buy the full size Urban Decay primer potion here for £16.00 or travel size for just £8.00 - bargain!

Right: UD primer potion, Left: Smashbox Photo Finish lid primer

My winner is Urban Decay primer potion, despite its cons I love it too much for it to lose and the Smashbox primer just dries out too quick. Have you tried these? Did I make the right choice?

Until next time
xx

Tuesday 1 April 2014

Tag Tuesday | Life In Letters


I've seen a lot of tags floating around the bloggersphere and following last week's Makeup Mishaps Tag, I have decided to make this a thing. Welcome to Tag Tuesday! Today I'm doing my life in letters...

A is for administration, the course I do at college. 

B is for brother, I have one of those unfortunately.

C is or cadet, I'm a member of St.John Ambulance.

D is for dogs, I have 9 and love 'em all!

E is for eggs, I used to love them and have them for breakfast literally every single day and now the smell of them alone makes me feel so sick.

F is for friends because I couldn't live without them.

G is for gallop, last year I had my first proper gallop on my horse and it was exhilarating and so great.

H is for home, where I love to be. 

I is for independence because I crave it; I want to live alone, be able to drive, do my own planning and budgeting and have that freedom.

J is for Jacqueline Wilson, my all time favourite childhood author! I would probably still read her books now if I wouldn't look silly. I'm also a Tracy Beaker fan!

K is for Kalel Cullen AKA Queenbeeuty, the first beauty guru I ever started watching. Ahh I think that was 4 years ago in 2010!

L is for living, because that's what I have to do, everyday, 'just keep swimming'.

M is for makeup artist, because that is what I'd like to be.

N is for Nars, a makeup brand I've never tried (shock horror!) but would very much like to.

O is for opportunities - I am trying to take up on more opportunities instead of turning them down due to anxiousness. 

P is for Pink, the colour on my blog (yeah I struggled with this one)

Q is for the Queen, because I've been inside her home (Buckingham Palace).

R is for Ruby, my beloved horse!

S is for shy, because I am super shy in person. It drives my friends crazy.

T is for Twitter, because I spend far too much time on there.

U is for understanding because that is what I try to be with everyone. 

V is for Virgo, my star sign. 

W is for weight because I have super self esteem issues regarding my weight and it has to change.

X is for 'x' - the kisses at the end of a text. I love those. 

Y is for YouTube, with which I am obsessed.

Z is for Zebras. No, I'm not getting out of this one easily I just really want to see a zebra up close.

This turned out to be a whole lot harder than I thought so most of the answers are pretty bogus. If you'd like to have a go at this tag then I TAG YOU! Leave your links below.

Until next time
xx