frontcover to go palette

It was very hard to take a picture of as it's so shiny!

Left to right: Pale Gold, Black Spark, Powder Puff, Wisteria

I picked this little convertible palette up from the Carnaby Street Boots yesterday as both the eyeshadows and the palette were on a crazy deal... how could I say no?! The palette itself was reduced by 75% to £1.25 and then each eyeshadow was reduced by 75% too making them £1.00. Therefore four eyeshadows and a palette cost me only £5.25 - fab!

There wasn't a huge selection left of  the eyeshadows as they're obviously just trying to sell them off now but thankfully there were lots left of the more neutral colours which I was very happy about. Also as you may have guessed by now I prefer to wear more shimmery eyeshadows, which was perfect for me as there didn't seem to be much of a selection of mattes. Here are the ones which I chose -

I picked (from left to right): Pale Gold, Black Spark, Powder Puff and Wisteria

These are all such beautiful colours and the eyeshadows themselves are so pigmented. I really can see myself getting a lot of use out of them. Pale Gold and Powder Puff are the kind of colours I wear most days on my eyes with a little lick of mascara and I can see the shimmery navy of Black Spark being fab to liven up a smoky eye for a night out. However, Wisteria is the eyeshadow which I'm most excited about. In some lights it looks silver and in others more purple toned. I can't think of another eyeshadow I have which is quite like it so I can't wait to use it!

After looking on the Frontcover website here, I'm a bit disappointed that there wasn't a few more shades available so that I could maybe have filled two palettes. Burnt Toast, Twinkling Grape, Moonstruck and Cloud Dance look especially pretty!

I just had a look on the Boots website and they do have the palettes and some eyeshadows left on there but not a huge selection. Also have a look in your local shop as for the price and the quality of the products, I really do recommend snapping them up if you get a chance!

Have you tried any Frontcover items?

xx

recent happenings #3

final essay of the year in! / cheeky Yo! Sushi by myself... / a very wet Selfridges / a naughty but beautiful treat from Selfridges - my first YSL lipstick! / soggy Canary Wharf / coffee and cake / a grey Olympic stadium / love my new top! (another Zara purchase...) / can't wait to start reading this! / a tasty dinner for my boyfriend's 21st birthday / my little purchase came from Dolly Bow Bow but the ring was too small so I need to exchange it :( / lovely candles to help me revise / I love this polish, it's so simple - LA Girl in Darling (ignore my very messy nails, I painted them on the Tube!)

As you can see I've actually ventured out a little more this week which has been brilliant! I've still got lots of revision to do so trying to divide my time between that and enjoying myself a bit as much as I can. Also, note the grey and wet theme of these photos - I'm getting sick of living in a very rainy London! 

xx

five treats for under £25

Clockwise from top left: Forever 21 Dangling Spike Earrings, COS Small Leather Zip Purse, Skagboys by Irvine Welsh, Chanel Illusion D'Ombre Long Wear Luminous Eyeshadow in Illusoire, James Sadler London Mug

When I put these wish lists together, it's very easy for me just to pick lots of very expensive items so I thought I'd show you some cheaper things that I'm currently lusting over (um... although I may have bought a couple already!) So if you're out shopping today or tomorrow, here are a few ideas of what you could treat yourself to without breaking the bank!

• Well I should probably admit that that I've already bought these earrings from Forever 21. I really like the idea of the heavily spiked necklaces that lots of people seem to be wearing at the moment but I'm not sure if they're a bit much for me and I could actually pull them off. Instead I thought that these would be a subtler way of wearing the trend and for £2.40 I couldn't really say no!
• I bought my current purse in a charity shop probably about four years ago now and I still absolutely love it. However, the part where you put your change has ripped at the bottom so I'm forever chasing pennies round the lining. However, I don't want to part with my beloved purse so I thought I'd perhaps just buy a coin purse. I love how simple this one is from Cos, it's so plain and unfussy.
• Again I've actually already bought Skagboys... I absolutely love Irvine Welsh so I've been excited about the Skagboys, the prequel to Trainspotting, coming out for months now. If only I didn't have revision so I could just sit down and read it all day!
• This colour of this Chanel eye shadow is so beautiful, the greyish purple shimmer is so interesting. I probably shouldn't get this too soon though as I treated myself to a purchase from Chanel this week - the Soleil Tan de Chanel Bronzing Make Up Base... oops!
• If you're in Britain you'll know how disgusting the weather is at the moment so that means endless cups of tea to try and cheer myself up. Also, with revision added to that, the kettle is never off! I love having nice mugs and this mug by James Sandler is so cute!

Tell me what your current wish lists are... I'm very easily tempted haha

xx

boots tea tree and witch hazel nose pore strips

I bought the Boots Tea Tree and Witch Hazel Nose Pore Strips quite a few months ago now and I have used three of the six in the box, so I thought perhaps now would be the right time for a review.

When you take the strips out of the box, they come in another sachet to prevent bacteria getting to them. As you can see, inside these sachets are strips of felt like material with a sticky side, which is protected by a sheet of plastic. After wetting your nose, you apply the sticky side of the strip to your nose and leave on for about fifteen minutes, and in this time the strip will dry and tighten to your nose. While they are comfortable to wear, you do feel a slight tug when removing the strip, but this feels a little like taking a plaster off rather than being painful. So that's how you use them - but do they actually do anything?

Boots claims that these nose strips will instantly remove dirt and oil, help to remove blackheads and tighten pores and prevent future breakouts. I don't suffer from spots particularly, but I do have a couple of blackheads on my nose. I also have quite large pores on and around my nose, so anything which reduces the size of those appeals to me!

When you remove the strip, on close inspection you can see evidence of a few blackheads being removed (disgusting I know, hence why there is no after picture of the strip haha), but I don't really see any difference in terms of blackheads on my nose. However, the one positive of these strips is that I would say my pores do look a little smaller after use. The only thing is that my largest pores are actually around rather than on my nose so the strips obviously make no difference to those!

I personally don't think that these strips have made much of an impact on my skin at all and I wouldn't recommend them to anyone looking to remove great numbers of blackheads as I don't really think they do that much. I couldn't remember how much they were so I just had a look on the Boots website - £4.99 (so just over 80p a strip)! Definitely not worth even giving them a go!

xx

nail of the day

This is the very bright combination that I have on my nails at the moment! However, I've had them on since Monday now and after a night out and a few days at work, they're not looking quite this neat...

The pink is Shocking Pink by Barry M and the blue is Be Mine by Angelica. In the bottle Be Mine looks more like a mint green so although I do like the colour on my nails, I was a little disappointed that it came up more blue! I purchased the Angelica polish from the Primark at Marble Arch of all places - they had quite a few pretty colours for spring and they were only £2.50 so I bought a couple (the other is a pastel pink) so I could test the quality. It lasted about as long as my polishes usually do which is about four days but due to work my nails do usually experience quite a lot of wear and tear so that's fine for me! I think I may have to go back and get a couple more!

As usual I used by No7 Smooth Base Coat and Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Top Coat.

xx

lancome hypnose drama mascara

Left: one coat, Right: bare lashes!

One coat

When I saw a sample of this in my March Glossybox, I must admit that I wasn't that excited. I was happy with the mascaras that I was using (Bourjois Volumiser and Rimmel Glam'Eyes) and so I tried the sample of Lancome Hypnose Drama with low expectations. However, on first application I realised: this stuff is brilliant! After using my sample up, I had to purchase the real thing.

The shape of the brush is just perfect - the curved edge grabs all your lashes and perfectly curls them to add volume and definition, while the other S shaped side separates your lashes to ensure they hold the right amount of product and don't look clumpy. Lancome Hypnose Drama leaves my lashes looking full and thick, but definitely not clumped together like I only have one eyelash! I also find that sometimes the curve and volume of my eyelashes drops throughout the day, but this mascara holds my stubby little lashes in place all day and it also doesn't flake on to my cheeks - fab!

The packaging is gorgeous too. The tube is very simple and black with gold detailing but the curved shape adds some interest and makes it different from the sometimes cheap looking packaging on the high street. 

One thing that some people may perceive as a negative of this mascara is the scent. It doesn't smell of anything it particular but it does have a stronger than usual make up-ey smell. This doesn't bother me particularly but I know some people don't like strong scents near their eyes. I suppose another negative could also be seen as the price. This cost me £21 from Boots. I know that this is so expensive for a mascara but I really do notice a difference in comparison to my high street mascaras. Although it is pricey, I can see me purchasing it again when it runs out!

Lancome Hypnose Drama Mascara is available from lots of larger department stores as well as Boots.

xx

recent happenings #2

cheeky after work Frae / just finished! definitely recommend it / my desk / socks with glasses on and sparkly leggings to keep warm / love this hand sanitiser - the lavender scent is also fab for when I'm feeling a bit stressed / lunch time chilango at work yum yum / a very grey london

This week has just been work work work so nothing particularly exciting to report! When my essay is handed in on Monday, although I'll still have revision to do, I'll have a bit more of a chance to go out and actually enjoy myself - can't wait! One fun thing which I did do yesterday was go with my house mates to The Diner in Shoreditch for dinner. However, I was so busy scoffing my mac and cheese, chips and chocolate milkshake that I forgot to take a picture - oops!

xx

an every day make up look #2

First of all, I have to say thank you so much to all of you because I've reached 100 followers! This makes me feel so happy, as it's fab to know that people actually read my silly ramblings and it just makes it all feel a bit more worth while! xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Anyway, to today's post!

You know when you do your make up and then feel really happy with it all day? Well that was me on Thursday. I don't know what it exactly was about my make up, because as you can see it was very plain and neutral, but it just made me feel really feminine and pretty. (Most of you will probably be wondering what all the fuss is about haha.) In fact, I liked Thursday's make up so much that even though I wasn't going anywhere, I recreated the same look again on Friday just so I could take a picture. I'm definitely losing it.

Anyway, we'll forget about my insanity. Here's what I used:

Bourjois Healthy Mix Foundation - 51

Rimmel Wake Me Up Concealer (under my eyes) - Ivory

Collection 2000 Lasting Perfection Concealer (on any blemishes) - Fair

NYC Smooth Skin Loose Face Powder (on my t-zone) - Translucent

Clinique Instant Lift for Brows - Soft Blonde

17 Blusher - Damson Wine

E.L.F. Shimmering Facial Whip (on my non-existent cheekbones) - Lilac Petal

Urban Decay Primer Potion

Urban Decay Naked Palette - Sin (all over my eye lid), Hustle (in my crease and outer corner)

No 7 Smoky Rose Quad - Shimmery cream colour in bottom left (to highlight my inner corner and brow bone)

Maybelline 24 Hour Colour Tattoo - On and On Bronze (to line my upper lash line and smudged a little under my eye)

Rimmel Glam'Eyes Mascara - Black 

Rimmel Lasting Finish 1000 Kisses Lip Tint - Nothing but Nude

I absolutely love liquid eye liner, and up until about a year ago I would wear it with a little flick every day without fail. However, I also love shimmery neutral eyeshadows and I began to feel that the two together looked a bit over the top for the day time. Especially for the spring, I'm now really enjoying simply wearing pretty shimmery neutral shadows, which has also given me a bit more freedom to wear a darker or brighter coloured lip - win win!

What kind of make up are you enjoying wearing at the moment? And if any of you want reviews of any of these products then let me know!

xx

nail of the day (x 2!)

I thought it would probably just be easier if I condensed this in to one post for you today, so here is what I've had on my nails so far this week!

From Monday to Wednesday, I was wearing Models Own Pro nail varnish in Mellow Yellow, which was a gift from my boyfriend. He said he picked it because he knew pastels were in this season - good work! As I find with all Models Own nail polishes, Mellow Yellow was very thick and creamy and easy to work with. It did go on a little streaky the first coat but the second sorted that right out.

I had lots of comments on this polish actually, even from boys. I think this may be because it's a relatively unusual colour and as it's so pale it looks quite striking. The only thing I would say is that in certain totally artificial lights it looked a little as if I was wearing Tipp-Ex on my nails which isn't really a good look... However, I do love the colour and in natural light (as pictured above) it reminds me off that delicious yellow vanilla Cornish ice cream - yum! Next time I wear it I'm going to try and pair it with a brighter colour in some way as I think that will look fab too.

By Wednesday night, although my nails were still looking fine minus a little inevitable tip wear, I wanted a change. I love how easy it is to simply change your nail varnish and the difference that this can make to outfits. I work quite a few days a week and I have to wear the same dress every shift as it's my current uniform, so playing around with my nails, hair and make up can make me feel as if I look completely different. I decided to go for Barry M Nail Paint in Berry Ice Cream with Barry M's Hologram glitter over the top.

These nails look like a six year old girls dream. They're so tacky and over the top but that's what I like about them haha! I put two coats of Berry Ice Cream on and I originally intended to leave it at that as it's such a pretty colour. I then spotted Hologram which I'd completely forgotten I had so added two coats of that on top and voila - nails that Barbie would be proud of!

As for base and top coats, both times I used No7 So Smooth Base Coat and then my Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Top Coat. Such a fab combination that make my nails super shiny and my nail polish last for ages! (I'll stop there though as I know how much I constantly ramble on about these two lovelies...)

What have you got on your nails at the moment? I have so much nail varnish but can ALWAYS be tempted to get more...

xx

rimmel wake me up foundation and concealer

Note: Picture is without powder.

I thought it was about time that I reviewed the Rimmel Wake Me Up foundation as I've now been using it for quite a while (as you can see from the bottle it's been well loved) and so I feel that I now truly know what my opinion is on this foundation: I love it.

The Rimmel Wake Me Up foundation claims that it visibly reawakens and illuminates skin with a radiant glow and a flawless, natural-looking finish. Now, I'm sure most of you are like me and read these things and are a bit sceptical. Surely there's only so much a foundation can do to even out and illuminate your skin tone? However, Rimmel you convinced me! When I wake up in the morning and I haven't had much sleep, I reach for this and it instantly makes my skin look not only look more even as you would expect from a foundation, but also glowing and healthy, as if I've had a good snooze. I'll also add that I have quite large pores by my nose and I feel as if the foundation actually reduces the size of them - fab! I use a flat top kabuki to apply one and a half to two pumps of this to my face which gives a medium but natural looking coverage. However, this foundation can be built up for a more full coverage if that's what you're after.

The foundation lasts well on my skin, which isn't particularly oily, although I do normally very lightly powder my t-zone to prolong wear. However, after seven or eight hours my chin does need touching up but this happens to me with all foundations (and annoyingly this is the only place I get any blemishes wah!)

I've read quite a few reviews of this which comment on the 'radiance pearls' as Rimmel call them, AKA little tiny bits of glitter. While I can see them in the bottle and ever so slightly when applied to my hand, I've never had a problem when using this with my face appearing sparkly. I actually just grabbed a mirror to have a look again - no, still not visible to me in natural light.

As for the packaging, while I like the fact that the bottle is made of glass, I'm not particularly keen on the bulky orange lid, but for the price and how good the foundation is, I'll let that go. There are definitely worse foundation bottles on the high street. I also love love love to have a pump which makes it not only so much easier to get the product out of the bottle but also not to waste any.

Now on to the negatives. There aren't many but nothing is perfect hey! In regards to the range of shades, there are only six colours to choose from, the lightest being not that pale and the darkest being incredibly light in my opinion! For example, I'm reasonably pale and wear the lightest shade, 100 Ivory. However, not only is this the tiniest bit dark for me (although unnoticeable when buffed in to my skin), but I also know a lot of people that are even paler than me. As for people with more olive to darker skin tones - I really think you'll struggle to find an appropriate shade which is a shame as this is a fab foundation. Part of the whole Rimmel London advertising campaign is ooh look how cool and London and British you can be... Um, London is a fabulously multicultural place and I just don't understand how so many British cosmetic companies can ignore so many of the varying skin tones that we have in this country. Anyway, don't get me started - basically the shade range is poo.

Another thing which people might view as possibly negative is the fact that Rimmel Wake Me Up foundation has an SPF of 15. This is great for everyday use as it will protect your skin but perhaps something to consider if you're going out at night or somewhere special where there will be lots of flash photography. No one wants to look at their pictures on Facebook and think they looked like a ghost! (Detag...)

The Wake Me Up range also contains a concealer which I picked up as part of the Boots 3 for 2 about a week ago. Rimmel describes the product as a full coverage concealer that visibly awakens and illuminates under the eyes and is also good for hiding spots and other blemishes. This again has some glittery bits in but as with the foundation I can only detect them in the tube.

My usual concealer of choice (like many people's) is the Collection 2000 Lasting Perfection concealer, but since buying the Rimmel Wake Me Up concealer, my Collection 2000 one has seen less use. The Rimmel Wake Me Up concealer, as it claims, is great for illuminating under your eyes and covering any dark circles. It definitely makes me look more wide awake, however, I still prefer my Lasting Perfection Concealer for hiding any blemishes as I just worry (perhaps unnecessarily) that the invisible 'radiance pearls' may draw more attention to any spots.

Rimmel Wake Me Up Concealer lasts under my eyes all day without wearing or creasing, does not look heavy or cakey, and in my opinion sits very naturally on the skin. However, as with the foundation the shade range is truly dreadful, with only four to choose from, but this is exactly the same with the Collection 2000 Lasting Perfection concealer.

The Rimmel Wake Me foundation is £8.99 for 30ml and the Rimmel Wake Me Up concealer is £5.99 for 7ml.

Sorry this post is so long but hopefully at least one person will have found this helpful! Do you like the Rimmel Wake Me Up foundation and concealer? What's your everyday go-to foundation at the moment?

xx

PS. If anyone's interested, I've also got on Clinique Instant Lift for Brows in Soft Blonde, Bourjois Volumiser Mascara in Black and on my lips MAC Creme Cup and Barry M Lip Gloss in 11.

fotd: tuesday 17th april

Yes, that is my dressing gown!

Hello hello!

Here's a little peek at today's make up! I'm just doing some uni work then going to work this afternoon so I've kept my face relatively simple.

My skin was looking really dull and tired this morning (which I was sob), so I used Rimmel Wake Me Up foundation (in 100 Ivory) to make me look a bit more awake and healthier. I've been enjoying using this foundation for a little while now as it honestly does what it says on the tin and makes you look a lot brighter and more alert! I then buffed some L'Oreal Paris Lumi Magique Base Concentre de Lumiere across my cheekbones and temples to make my skin look even more healthy. (This product is a white pearly liquid that can be used under foundation as a radiance adding primer or as a highlighter.)

I next filled in my brows with a Rimmel Professional Eyebrow Pencil (002 Hazel) and today decided to make them quite exaggerated and arched. Some days I try and make them look more natural but today I decided to make them quite defined! I then started on my eyes. As part of the fabulous Boots 3 for 2 offer I recently purchased a Revlon Colourstay Eyeshadow Palette in Addictive. This is a great little quad to create a natural daytime eye. I used the pale shimmery beige (top right) all over the eye and then defined my crease with the matte brown (bottom right). I then took the shimmery white from my No7 Smoky Rose Quad and used this as a highlight for my inner corner.

I did actually think about leaving my eyes there and adding some mascara but I fancied a thin line of liquid eyeliner so I used the Maybelline New York Master Precise Liquid Eyeliner in Black to trace along my upper lash line and ended with a small flick! To finish off my eyes, after curling my lashes I used Lancome Hypnose Drama Mascara in Black - this stuff is brilliant! If you saw my wishlist the other day, then you might remember this product from there... well, I gave in and bought the full size! This is such a fab mascara so I think I may have to give it a review of its own!

To conceal my horrid baggy eyes I used Rimmel Wake Me Up Concealer (Ivory) and also dabbed it on a few blemishes. I then powdered just my t-zone (I never powder my whole face) with Rimmel's Stay Matte Pressed Powder (001 Translucent). For blush I kept it simple with my Natural Collection blush in Sugar Plum.

When I'm wearing liquid eyeliner in the day I'm always conscious of my make up looking a bit too 'done' and over the top, so I had a look in my box of lipsticks for something nice and subtle. I chose a L'Oreal Caresse Lipstick in Lovely Rose which is a really feminine baby pink shade.

Phew! I really enjoy doing my make up in the morning so I hope you didn't mind me rambling on! If there are any products here which you would especially like a review of then just say and I'll do it ASAP :)

Hope you're all fab - horrid weather, lots of shifts at work then revision and essays for uni are making me feel so rubbish.

xx

recent happenings

birthday carrot cake / pretty spring blossom / the best battered sausage and chips around / wasting time with coronas / who knew I could wear trainers?! / impromptu cocktails

nail of the day (and a quick review of sally hansen top coats!)

Just a quick post to show you what I currently have on my nails. The nail varnish was actually one of my presents from my little brother, so thank you very much Archie! (Will he ever read this blog, considering it's mostly about beauty? I don't think so...)

The colour is Barry M Peach Melba which is such a pretty pastel peach shade. It's perfect for this time of year and looks so subtle and natural. As with most pastel shades, it did go on a little streaky at first. I used two coats, but next time I think I'll add a third, as there are a couple of places where if you look very carefully, it's not totally opaque. I also think this would make a really pretty base for something like a gold or bronze glitter!

As usual, I used my No7 So Smooth Base Coat, which is honestly such a great base coat. In the past I've had a lot of problems with my nails getting stained from painting them too much and this not only prevents this but really helps your nail varnish to last a lot longer. Brilliant!

For the second time now, I used my new Sally Hansen Double Duty Strengthening Base and Top Coat to finish off my nails. When comparing it to my trusty Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Top Coat, I wouldn't say there was any difference between them in regards to how effectively they make your nail polish last. I find that Sally Hansen top coats really do make your nails last so much longer without chipping, even if you are using a poorer quality varnish, and both also give your nails a gorgeous glossy finish. However, I do prefer the fast drying properties of the Insta-Dri Top Coat, as you paint on a thin layer after waiting two minutes for your polish to dry slightly, and very quickly your nails are totally dry and so you don't have to worry about smudging them or leaving little dents anywhere.

No7 So Smooth Base Coat (£7.00)

Barry M Nail Paint in Peach Melba (£2.99)

Sally Hansen Double Duty Strengthening Base and Top Coat (£5.25)

(For reference, the Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Top Coat is £5.99, and all prices are from Boots - remember the 3 for 2! Eek, too tempting!)

xx

birthday pennies

Clockwise from top left: Real Techniques Core Collection, Topshop Triangle Necklace, Adidas Gazelle Trainers, Lancome Hypnose Drama Mascara, Black iPhone 4, Zara Messenger Bag in Grey, Zara Ribbed T-Shirt in Marl Grey, MAC Eye Shadow in Satin Taupe, New Look Pleated Jersey Maxi Skirt in Grey, Monki Charlet Blouse

As it's just been my birthday, I have a little bit of money to treat myself to a few bits. I've already picked up a couple of things, which I'll more than likely show you soon, but here are a some more items which I'm very tempted by!

• Everyone has been talking about the Real Techniques brushes for a while now and I think I may have to treat myself to the Core Collection to see what all the fuss is about!
• This Topshop necklace is so pretty. I picked by a really plain gold cuff necklace from River Island the other day as I thought it would look fab with plainer outfits, and I think this would too!
• Don't ask me why, but I'm obsessed with the idea of getting these trainers at the moment. When I go to the library late at night, I tend to wear my running shoes which isn't a good look to say the least... I think these would look really cool on lazy days with skinny jeans or leggings - the colour is amazing.
• I have a sample of the Lancome mascara from my Glossy Box and I can't stop using it. It's so good, it really lengthens and defines your eyelashes. I think part of why it is so fab is the curved shape of the brush which really grabs all your lashes.
• I have such an old and rubbish phone, after losing a nice phone in a club a few years ago. My boyfriend has an iPhone and I love all the fun apps and things you can get - I want one! I do love the idea of a white phone but I can just see that mine would get so horrid and dirty haha.
• Like everyone else at the moment, I am loving everything Zara. This bag is so beautiful, but when I saw the price of it online, I thought it might look really cheap. I then saw it in the shop and it doesn't at all! I do love the black version, but I think I'd most likely go for the grey as I don't have a bag that colour and it's probably a bit more spring appropriate.
• Another Zara item! I tried this oversized top on the other day and loved it. I then didn't buy it (I bought this dress/tunic instead - I've been wearing it with leggings!), and I'm not quite sure why... I think there were just too many things I liked and I felt a bit overwhelmed. However, I can't stop thinking about it so I think I'll have to pop back and pick it up!
• I already have way too many eye shadows, but this is just such a beautiful colour and I can see myself getting lots of use out of it. I love anything taupe and shimmery so this is perfect!
• I love the idea of maxi skirts, but I'm quite short and therefore think they may look a bit odd on me. However, I've seen lots of smaller people wearing them recently and looking fab. This one for New Look is nice and plain and I think it would go with so many things. I also think it could be carried through to winter with tights and heeled boots!
• Lastly is this gorgeous Monki blouse. I picked up this dress in the same print, and my boyfriend told me it was silly to get the same patterned blouse. I just love the shape of it though and I think it would look lovely with high waisted jeans so I think I may pop back and get it (sorry Ollie!) And it's in the sale...

What are you lusting after at the moment? Tempt me!

xx

beauty secrets

Hello!


I love love love watching beauty videos on YouTube and recently quite a few people have been doing a tag called Ten Little Secrets. This was created by Sammi from Beauty Crush (who also has a blog, which I'll link here) and I thought the questions were really interesting and so I'd give it a go. However, I thought that ten questions would make this a very long post so I shortened it to five. I haven't seen anyone else do this on a blog yet so if you do it too then please comment with a link so I can read it!


What is one product that makes you feel like a million dollars?

For me, defining my eyelashes makes me feel a lot better about myself. For example, when I'm on a night out wearing big thick false eyelashes, I always feel fab! They make me feel so feminine and I think they don't have to look tacky, even if they are big, if you keep the rest of your make up quite simple. Likewise, if I'm popping out for a run in the morning or to the shop and I don't have any make up on, I won't worry about foundation or anything else but a little flick of mascara can make me feel so much better and I think I look a lot more wide awake.

Two of my favourites at the moment are Rimmel Glam Eyes and Lancome Hypnose Drama  - can't wait to get the full size!

What is your skincare secret? 

I cleanse, tone and moisturise twice a day and make sure I take all my make up off before bed. I take the majority off with a make up wipe or eye make up remover and then cleanse again. I always use a muslin cloth with whatever cleanser I'm using too as I love their gentle exfoliating properties and I also think that they make the whole job of washing your face a lot easier and less messy!

Other tips are drinking lots of water, not wearing face make up as often as possible to let your skin breath and brightening face masks.

Some of my favourite skin care products at the moment

What is your hair care secret?

Condition condition condition! I do have quite dry hair so I use them all over, but even if you have greasy hair, you can use a moisturising balm or mask just on your ends and leave on for a little while. I find that these masks and balms make so much difference to the condition of the your hair.

Still loving Umberto Giannini Indulgent Beauty Moisture Mask

Do you have any diet and work out tips?

I love food and I don't really deny myself everything so I think the best way to approach your diet is everything in moderation. If you gorge on chips and mayo (mayonnaise = <3) one day, just don't the next. Easy peasy. I also try and stay away from fizzy drinks as diet or not they are awful for you and can so easily pile weight on. They're totally empty calories!

In terms of exercise, I didn't work out heavily for a long time due to health problems, but in the last year it's something I've begun to enjoy a lot more. My advice would be just to try and find something you enjoy doing. For me, the gym is too intimidating and I find things like swimming a bit dull. I then tried running last summer and I love it! If you're unfit it can be quite hard at first, so try the Couch to 5K podcasts from the NHS as they are ridiculously helpful! Here's a link - so fab!

My running shoes!

Which perfume is your secret weapon?


I tend to chop and change between perfumes, I don't tend to buy the same one over and over again as I like to try different scents. However, at the moment I'm loving Calvin Klein Euphoria. I'm not particularly good at describing scents but I'd say it was quite a heavy perfume with some musky undertones, yet fresh and fruity at the same time. Um, yeah... Anyway, Boots, who can perhaps do a bit better than me, describe Euphoria as an addictive oriental fragrance that contrasts exotic fruit, seductive florals and a rich creamy signature. Apparently, it's inspired by a new found freedom, about living one's dream... (On second thoughts, perhaps my description was better!)

Calvin Klein Euphoria

However, for my birthday, my lovely boyfriend bought me Valentina by Valentino which is such a beautiful perfume and I think will quickly become my new favourite!

As I said at the beginning, if you answer these questions then please tell me as I'd love to have a little read, and I'd also love to know if you have any brilliant skincare, diet, exercise or hair care tips!

xx