Confidence - An everyday FOTD

Oh hey guys!

So it's been a while and that is due to a few factors such as university deadlines, zero influence and most importantly my health. Don't get me wrong after the last personal blog post going down well I was back to feeling like a super happy lady with some kind of an influence. However after that I just had a roller coaster of ups and downs with my depression or my DS's (depressive symptoms) and even as I'm typing this now I haven't quite got back to my "normal" self. However I feel like I am letting a lot of people and readers down and theres nothing worse than giving up something you love to try and stop the storm of your life. 

So this post if you haven't guessed it is another FOTD, I noticed that this one of my top ten popular posts so I thought I would appease the readers and do another one. There are definitely new products in this from the previous one so theres an excuse in itself. With my on going struggles with DS's there are far and few times I feel pretty and confidence and therefore on this rare day I thought why not take some photographs to make it into a blog post. So here goes....

 Starting off with the base I used a prep spray to give myself a good starting point, next I used to light to medium coverage BB cream that I have been loving for days where you don't want to completely cake your face. Following this was my favourite concealer for under the eyes as well as to cover the horrendous spots and blemishes scattered around my face.

As you can see I did not go crazy insane for my eyes, I just used a matt beige shade on the lid of my eyes and used a light brown in my crease as a transition colour. As for my mascara I have been using a sample of UD Perversion which I have been loving as I didn't realise how short my eyelashes actually are! Recently Eyebrow pencils have been my go to thing the one problem I found with this one is that the wax end of it always breaks (just me?). 

Since this is a super quick look and not a heavy impact look I used a random bronzer to add some definition to my face but did not use a contour kit as I usually would. My favourite product of this FOTD? Sleek Matte Me lipgloss in Birthday Suit, it is a gorgeous nude that is easy to pull off and is a great price. 

I also took this day to wear a brand new off the shoulder top I recently bought at New Look for under £15 and as the sun was out it was a perfect opportunity! 

As you can see a simple everyday quick make up look that doesn't look to shabby (ignore my eyebrows they were waxed the next day!) I hope you guys enjoyed.

Products Used:

Urban Decay B6 Vitamin Infused Complexion Prep Spray

Clean and Clear Hint of Tint Cover and Correct Cream #Light

Urban Decay Naked Skin Weightless Complete Coverage Concealer #Fair Neutral

Benefit Longwear Powder Eyeshadow #Call My Buff

Benefit Longwear Powder Eyeshadow #Thanks A Latte

Urban Decay Perversion Mascara

Loreal Paris Brow Artiste Eyebrow Pencil #Dark Brun

Rimmel London Natural Bronzer 

Sleek Matte Me Lipgloss #Birthday Suit

New Look Bardot Top  

Boutique Salon Soft Waves Hair Wand by Bayliss

Any Products you guys would recommend for an effortless daytime look?

My most reached for make-up items ft. organiser

Oh hey guys!

I thought since I showed you my overall organisation of my beauty products I would go a little more in depth into my most reached make- up items and the new organiser I picked up from TK MAXX a couple of weeks ago. This organiser retails at £9.99 at TK MAXX, it has 14 small slots where as you can see lipsticks can be housed, there are also three deep tall slots where I house mascara, lip pencils and eye liners. Finally there is the main component at the very back which is deep and fairly long, I use this to house my main bulk of everyday products. I hope you guys enjoy this post. 

A picture of the overall look of the organiser with my most reached make-up items. 

Base: Gosh X-Ceptional wear foundation (11 porcelain), MAC Pro Longwear SPF foundation (nw15) , Estee Lauder Idealist Pore minimising Skin refinisher , Lasting Perfection Concealer (Fair 1), Sleek Face Contouring Kit (Fair). 

Brows/ Eyes: Rimmel Brow This Way Styling Gel (Clear), Maybelline Mega Plush Mascara (Very Black), Barry M Eyebrow Kit , Collection Extreme 24hr Felt Tip Liner (Black), Model Co. Eye define eye pencil . 

MAC Lipsticks: Viva Glam V,  Honey Love, Impassioned, So Chaud and Viva Glam I

Lip Pencils: (Rimmel)Addiction (18) , Spice (11), Eastend Snob (63) 

                    (MAC) Spice, Cherry

Lip Gloss: (Benefit) Kiss me quick (Discounted)

So I hope this helps, this is the most reached make-up on my vanity!

That's all for now

Day to night neutral eye

Oh hey guys,

I'm not an expert at make-up by a long shot I mean I struggle to even do a simple eyeliner flick but I love trying to do stuff and experimenting so after not being able to sleep one night this is what happened.
Just a warning before I continue I have to apologize for the terrible lightening and images, my university accommodation has terrible lighting and my sister stole my camera so I am using my Iphone 4S!


So here is the first look, more day time appropriate, obviously the eye liner flick is optional I only really did it because I am absolutely terrible at doing it and need all the practice I can get. I decided to mix together two different foundations for my base as one was too yellow and one makes me look completely ghostly but the combination of the two creates a nice flawless base with no flakiness, super impressed. Next I just did my everyday brows, to some it might be too dark or my brows might not match up but you can't run around pleasing everyone. My eyes are obviously neutral with browns and greys nothing to big or smokey as it has to be a transition piece so has to suit both day and night.

 Sticking with the day look the eyeliner is nothing to big and bold but it's entirely down to the person, if you want big eyeliner go for it, I personally struggle with any flick so I keep it quite small and precise. I used a white liner to really open my lash line and used a angled brush to push brown eye shadow on my lower lash line. For my mascara I'm using my favourite one for giving big voluminous lashes.

 

For my face I used my usually bronzer all over my temples, jawline, nose and cheekbones I don't tend to dabble much when it comes to bronzer and blush I just stick with one product. I'm up for new products so if you guys have any recommendations let me know. On the topic of blush I just used a peachy colour which is really affordable and has a good pigment. For the daytime I stuck to a nude lip, I realise that I forgot to include these products in my photographs so I will let you know what they are now.  First I lined my lips with Rimmel London Exaggerate lip liner in 018 "Addiction" then I applied Sleek Matte Me lip cream in 436 "Birthday Suit" . I love this combination as the lip creme dries pretty quickly and leaves a nice nude touch to the lips/

This would be my night time twist, it is literally adding a bold red lip obviously you could always make your eyeliner bolder and contour darker. It is down to personal preference. 

L-R: GOSH Foundation #Porcelain, Estee Lauder Double Wear Foundation #Shell, Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer #Fair, Maybelline Big Eyes Eyeliner, Revlon Eyeshadow Quad #Addictive, Essence I love crazy Volume Mascara, Maybelline Fit Me Powder #Ivory, Benefit Hoola Bronzing Powder, Rimmel Kate Matte Lipstick #107 Wine, Natural Collection Blushed Cheeks Blusher #Peach Melba,  Collection Fast Stroke Eye Liner #Black, Barry M Eyebrown Kit, Rimmel Brown Gel #Clear

L-R: Real Techniques Blush Brush, Real Techniques Buffing Brush, Real Techniques Contour Brush, Real Techniques Setting Brush, Real Techniques Lash and Brow Groomer, Real Techniques Shading Brush, Real Techniques Domed Shadow Brush, Real Techniques Brow Brush, Real Techniques Deluxe Crease Brush, Beauty Blender, Cotton Wool Buds

So there you have it, my own take on neutral eyes for day to night!

Hope you enjoyed.

What's In My Bag? (Work Edition)

Oh Hey!

Sorry for the late upload I found myself in A&E on Wednesday night after suffering a head injury at work so I've just been resting to get ready for a 10 hour shift on Sunday. Anyway lets get on with it!

I love reading other peoples blog posts or Youtube videos on what's in there bag, I guess I am kind of nosey in that respect, so now I've decided to make my own. This is what is in my bag... work edition.

So the bag I am currently using for work is my Topshop Red Winged twist bag which they have since stopped selling. I was lucky enough to receive this from my parents for Christmas and I absolutely adore it. It is just a standard inside as well with a normal pocket and a mobile phone pouch, the lining is the same as the red on the outside.

Okay so here goes, from left to right!

Black Apron: So obviously seen as this is a work edition I have to have my apron on me, I work as a waitress for anyone who doesn't know and we can't actually work unless with have an apron on. Weird I know, but for anyone who wants to flaunt there body then you can pretty much tie the apron to accentuate your shape! (WORK)

Micros Clock In Card: Again a necessity for work, we have to have this every shift to clock in and out and to put through any orders. (WORK)

Black Umbrella: Simple, an umbrella in the UK is a must!!!! (PRIMARK)

Earphones: This is definitely a must have for me, I can't leave home without them. I can't physically sit on a bus in silence which is probably why I spend so much on Itunes! (APPLE)

Black Purse: I prefer these kind of purses because they aren't bulky and in case you need to swap your bag to something more compact then they won't need to be swapped either. (H&M)

Pink Tangle Teaser Hairbrush and hair ties: Okay so I think this is the kids version but I picked this up due to the fact that my hair has to be up for work so this and the hair ties come in handy. (BOOTS)

Selection of Cards: Bank Card, Discount Card etc.

Badge: Again a must have for work as much as I hate people knowing my name! (WORK)

Baby Lips: I actually love Peach Punch the best, it gives a nice sheen of colour on your lips and smells amazing.  (BOOTS)

Victoria Secret Spray: This is by far my favourite scent ever, its called angel and I constantly get compliments on how nice it smells!!! (VICTORIA SECRET)

Sample Size of Molton Brown Hand Cream: The smell isn't my favourite but after washing your hands hundreds of times in one night sometimes you need a hand pick me up and this does exactly that!! (BIRCHBOX)

Benefit Lip Gloss: This is just a nice pick me up when I want super shiny soft lips! (BENEFIT)

A pile of coins: Who doesn't need coins?!?

This is it!
What's in your bags?

My First Birchbox!

Hey Guys,

I recently decided to sign up to Birchbox as there have been many good reviews and the products seem to be amazing and there seems to be a good range of products. I was lucky enough to be in time to receive the Lulu Guinness Edition of the box which includes a beautiful designed slip (is that the word?) to go over the original Birchbox.

The slip has two designs front and back, both bold and fabulous. Lulu Guinness uses the black and white stripes throughout the box as she to includes a inscripted "rock" sweet in the same design. 

This is an overview of  what I received, there were a few leaflets including a special book that had Lulu Guinness' views and opinions on stuff. For a Birchbox virgin I found that the box and bag were super cute and can easily be used around the house again. 

So now the bit everyone has been waiting for, the products.

English Laundry (English Laundry Signature For Her EDP Spray For Women)
" Tap into the very essence of an English country garden with this beautifully fresh fragrance. Envelope yourself in top notes of rose geranium and creamy white flowers set against a woody spicy and musky tones"
I personally love this fragrance it only takes one spray to last an entire day, handy considering its a sample size. A cute essential for any woman's handbag. 

Dr Brant Pores No More (Pore Refiner)
"Targeting one of skincare's biggest issues, Dr Brandt's amazing Pore No More refiner gives a quick fix for oily complexions helping to hide pores, absorb oil and mattify shine. The silky smooth formula glides effortlessly onto the skin releasing microspheres which diffuse the light It also contains Tea Tree Oil for its essential antibacterial properties."
I do tend to suffer with bad pores but I don't have oily skin, I found this to be oily in itself but did give off the silky texture that every woman desires. Overall I prefer the Porefessional Face Primer in comparison. 

Korres Citrus Body Milk 
"With a nourishing and soothing combination of almond oil, aloe, shea butter and provitamin B5, this lotion will leave your skin feeling super-hydrated throughout the day. The lightweight formula's citrusy scent is the perfect morning pick-me-up ritual. Plus, there are no parabens, 
silicones, or other synthetics and the packinging is all recyclable".
This is in no way something I would think of buying I don't particularly like the smell of the expensive price tag.However it is always handy to have a travel size of anything and this is no exception.


Benefit Stay Don't Stray (Light/Medium)

"This little gem is foolproof way to ensure that your undereye concealer and eyeshadows stay put from morning to night. It comes in one surprisingly versatile shade that brightens underneath and above the eye. The lightweight formula blends in easily and won't clog the delicate skin around the eyes".I am a major Benefit fan I tend to have at least 3 of there products on my wishlist at one time. I find this Primer for the eyes and concealers to be effective, normally I would need to touch up or feel like the makeup is fading however with this product I am able to see a huge difference. Definitely on my wishlist.

Molton Brown Replenishing Hand Cream (Rhubarb and Rose)
"This luxury intensive hand cream not only smells temptingly sweet, it's instantly absorbed after application - so you can get straight back to what you were doing. White truffle extract ensures your hands stay soft, along with moisturising rose extract."
I must admit I am pretty bad when it comes to using any kind of cream so this gives me a push to use it more. Its nourishing and smells of summer definitely something to crack out when you need to give your hands some TLC.

So to anyone thinking of signing up to Birchbox I would suggest you do so, it is a cute little box that any beauty lover would enjoy and its super affordable!

Sign up here

The Beauty Scenario TAG

The Questions:

1. You have to get rid of all your foundations and you can only keep one high end and one drugstore, which do you keep?

This one is particularly hard for me I shop 95% based on drugstore mainly because I'm not rolling in money yet, so the ratio of high end to drug store is a tad biased. However the drug store foundation I'm picking is based on the length of time I've used it for, it was the first foundation that didn't apply to my dry skin and turn into skin flakes (ewww gross I know). So the foundation in question is GOSH X-Ceptional Wear Foundation in Porcelain, not only is it a perfect fit for someone with dry skin but it was one of the first foundations that had my skin tone. It is average on the price scale at £7.99 and can be picked up at your nearest Superdrug.
I only own two "high end" foundations in the shape of Benefits Hello Flawless Oxygen Wow! and Estee Lauders infamous Double Wear foundation. Out of the two I definitely reach for Benefit more, it blends better into my face and offers a complete coverage that both matches my skin tone and enhances it. The foundation itself is also packaged beautifully in fact it is something that can be put on display in any room. You can grab your own bottle at Boots and its something I would recommend. Estee Lauder foundation made my skin flaky and I believe that I got given the wrong colour foundation which didn't help my view, I see why people rave about this foundation but with my skin now it doesn't quite work. You can pick your foundation Boots both foundations retail in there 20's which is almost 3 times more than GOSH.

2. You go for an interview and the lady interviewing you has lipstick on her teeth. Do you approach the subject or ignore it completely?

I think in this kind of situation I wouldn't draw attention to the issue, I feel that if I was to do such a thing then the interviewer would feel self conscious and it may count against me. The least I would do would be to do subtle things such as licking my own teeth in a hope that they would do the same.

3. You're not feeling yourself and need a pick me up. Which lipstick do you put on to make yourself feel beautiful?

I don't tend to wear lipstick a lot and when I do it's dramatic, a simple red lip never fails to make me feel amazing, my ultimate favorite has to be Fatal Red by Maybelline. It's cheap and cheerful and I feel like it suits my complexion pretty well. 


4. You go back in time for a day to your teenage years, how would you do your hair and makeup differently?

I didn't actually start to wear make-up until I was at least in year 10 (or Sophomore year) but I definitely went through a stage of wearing things that were the complete opposite of how God intended me to be. I straightened the life out of my natural curls, dyed it almost black and wore foundation that was darker than I was. I would shake the life out of myself if I could and tell myself to stick to natural stuff, don't be someone else for anybody just be true to you.

5. You ask your hairdresser for a shoulder length Pixie Lott hair cut, but they hear wrong and give you a pixi cut. Do you a) Smile, say thank you, leave and call your mum hysterical b) Cry in the chair and things get awkward or c) Complain to the manager and demand a refund.

To be honest I would never ask for anything that short I am way to attached to my hair but let's say I do. In all honesty it would be the first option, I'm not generally someone who confronts someone or argues my mum however would march over there and demand that they fix it and give all my money back.

6. Your friend surprises you with a 4 day city break and you have 1 hour to pack. Which 'do it all' palette do you pack in your makeup bag?

Oh how I would love that friend! I don't tend to have a lot of high end makeup palettes in fact all of my palettes are affordable drug store brands. The MUA Undressed Palette is an amazing dupe for the Urban Decay Naked Palette so it combines all natural and glowy tones and shades to create both day and night looks anywhere. 

7. Your house has been robbed, don't worry everyone is safe, but your beauty stash has been raided. What's the product you really hope is safe?

I don't have one particular thing in my makeup products that I would think of straight away, I think out of everything I would choose to grab my Real Techniques Make-up brushes. I am proud of my growing collection they are by far my favorite brushes and super affordable!

8. Your friend borrows your makeup and returns it in awful condition. Do you a) Just pretend you haven't noticed b) Ask them to repurchase it or c) Secretly do the same to something of theirs

As I've previously said I am not one for confrontation and I doubt it would have been on purpose, I would just know to never lend them makeup again, I can't actually imagine any of my friends wouldn't repurchase or replace something that they would have messed up. 

Benefit- The best of Benefit

As an avid fan of Fashion Train AKA Becca I couldn't help but see her Twitter post on the Benefit - The best of Benefit box which included miniatures of all the best and popular items across the benefit range, at only £24.50! A perfect gift this Christmas for a beauty fan or someone curious about Benefit!

As you can see you get a miniture of the following:
Porefessional Primer
Theyre Real Mascara
Hoola Bronzer
Benetint Lip and Cheek Stain
Boi-ing Concealer
High Beam Highlighter

The Porefessional comes in a handy squeeze tube at a handbag size, the screw cap is a tad annoying, a screw cap would be much more convenient, the product itself is easy to get out so you only need to squeeze lightly to get it out.  The product is light-weight and spreads easy giving your skin a silky smooth feeling, great for the application of make-up. The price of the 22ml tube of porefessional is £24.50 which may be deemed a little on the pricey side but bare in mind it gives you the perfect finish and base for make-up. It just might sway you.

They're Real Mascara is a very hyped up among the beauty community and seems to be more hit than miss with most people. Personally I think this mascara opens up my eyes a lot which I love. However, I feel like this mascara tends to clump quite a lot but I believe that is due to the fact I have quite thick lashes already, however this is just my opinion so if it works for you then great!

Overall I like the Bronzer and would definitely think about purchasing the full sized version, I'm not a major professional when it comes to bronzer and this is a nice one to try and practice using. It blends well with the blush in my routine, it gives a natural glow that's not to overpowering. This is a reasonable price at £23.50 from Boots, definitely a good investment.

Benetint is a very sheet Merlot-rose stain which is way too thin and runny, it bled into my skin and stained whilst swatching it. It tends to look patchy and uneven on me. When applying it, I found it stains both lines and dry skin on my lips but doesn't stick to the rest of the lips. I'm not to sure if I like this product just yet, I'm gonna keep it in my makeup bag a little longer to see if I can get to grips with it first. It retails at £24.50 at Boots.

The think I like most about the concealer is that is amazing for use under both my eyes and my blemishes, many concealers seem to work well at either one or the other but this is redoubtably best at both. It doesn't crease as many concealers do in reference to under the eyes the staying power was great only wearing off a tad, I blame that on the fact my skin has been terrible. The one thing that would be the downfall for me would be the price at £18.50 which seems a bit steep in my eyes but unless I find a concealer that is as good as this for less then I will be purchasing the full size very soon.

The High beam Highlighter has been a must have for a very long time, I've never really tried liquid highlighter just matte so this was a whole different ball park for me, one I've been looking forward to trying. I found it to be a lovely highlighter that blends easily, looks natural and gives a great looking glow. If you are unsure just yet get a mini size to try it or better yet get this set whilst you can! The full size retails at £19.50 at Boots!


I hope this post helped expose you to the wonders of Benefit and this amazing gift set.