NOTD: Topshop Eclipse

I've had this nail varnish for yonks and was a little scared it might have been discontinued. It hasn't (thank goodness) so I can share it with you all! Look at how pretty this nail varnish is in the bottle. If you say you could walk past that and not pick it up, you're lying! When I saw this, I thought it looked like when oil is spilt; that rainbow like puddle that changes in different lights. In some lights, Topshop Eclipse looks green, in others in looks more goldy and I absolutely love that!

I recently bought Seche Vite and have been having a little trouble with it. As a lot of my nail varnishes are quite thick to start with, my nail polish would just flake off in huge chunks because it just gets too thick with Seche Vite as well. I haven't been having that trouble with Eclipse though (hurrah!) as it is a thinner polish that can be built up. You could use one coat for a sheer coverage that still looks beautiful as your nails catch the light or two coats (like above) for it to be opaque.

Will you be picking this up? Have you got any favourite polishes at the minute?

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Mother's Day: Make Up

Just a quickie today (mind out of the gutters ladies!), more of a visual inspiration really. I'm absolutely loving the fresh faced, Spring make up looks of [the select few of] my celeb crushes. Flawless, glowing bases, lots of highlighter (looking at you Kimmy K) and nude pinky lips. I just love the simplicity of it, even with Jessica's (yes, we're on a first name basis) light brown smokey eye, it all looks so effortless. My favourite type of make up!
I've also included my biggest make up lust; the Urban Decay Naked 3 palette. I want it's rosey tones all over my face- well mainly on my eyelids! There is also a Sleek matte lipstick in Heartbreaker up there as matte lips are in and it's the perfect coral pink shade.

I've left you with a picture of me and my mammy (and my sister hiding in the back there). Hope you all have a great Mother's day!

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First Impressions: Superdrug BB Cream and Hot Cloth Cleanser

 

I've been trialling these products for a couple of weeks now and I'm so excited about them, I decided to do a first impressions post. This isn't a full review as because they are both skin products, I like to wait about a month before I comment on them to see how my skin reacts to continued use. I'll do a short 'follow up' post in a few weeks to tell you guys my final thoughts on them.

Anywaaay, the long and the short of it is I've been loving both of these products. I haven't picked up another base product since I bought the BB Cream and the hot cloth cleanser is one of the first I've tried and I'm really impressed. 

BB Cream

I was on the hunt for a BB Cream as Spring/Summer is coming up and I like to wear a lighter base in hotter weather. Not only so that my skin can breath but who wants to be sweating off a full face of make up? Not me, that's for sure! I first headed straight to the Maybelline stand as I wanted to try their Dream Fresh BB Cream but alas, they had stopped stocking my shade. That's when I went on a mad dash around Superdrug in an attempt to find an alternative. I stumbled across the Superdrug BB Cream and thought I would give it a go. I actually decided to pick up the anti ageing one in the end as it had a higher SPF than the other ones Superdrug offered. It promises to conceal age spots and imperfections, improve the look of wrinkles, improve smoothness/firmness of skin, boost radiance (another attractive purpose for me, Queen of Dull Skin) and even out skin tone.

I can't really comment on the anti-ageing side of it but I definitely feel as this product adds a glow to my skin as well as having a light coverage that even outs my skin tone and hides my hyper pigmentation.

Hot Cloth Cleanser

I mentioned in a post a little while ago that I'd like to try a hot cloth cleanser. I've got quite dry skin and felt that face washes were just drying out my skin further. If you read this haul post, you would have seen that I picked up this hot cloth cleanser. I decided to go for Superdrugs' Vitamin E range as Miss Budget Beauty was raving about it at the time and I wasn't sure how much I would like this sort of cleanser so was playing it safe on the price range.

I really like this cleanser, it leaves my face feeling really smooth but not over stripped. It also comes with a muslin cloth which I feel gets rid of the impurities better than your average face wash.

All round thumbs up! Have you got any BB creams or cleansers that you like? Have you tried any of these products?

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Mother's Day: Outfits

In the spirit of Mother's Day, thought I would share with you the lady I'll be spending my day with. My Nana! Think she looks very sweet here! Being at university means that I won't see my mum until Easter so I've skipped a generation and gone to the Head Honcho of mothers!

I'm sharing some outfit ideas with you today and trying to keep this post short and sweet. I've done a more formal outfit if you are taking your mum out to dinner or the likes and an informal one for lunch and other activities. They're spring inspired with brights and pastels as the little bit of sun we're having is getting me excited. Enjoy!

Formal
Swing Vest- Boohoo- £6
Skater Skirt- Red- Boohoo- £10
Heeled Sandals- Zara- £39.99
Necklace- ASOS- £12

The heels are a little pricey but I couldn't find any cheaper ones for the look I was going for! Alternatives welcome!

Informal
Dress- New Look-£22.99
Wedges-New Look-£27.99
Ballet pump alternative- New Look-£17.99
Gold Cuff- New Look- £4.99

I know wedges aren't the most practical but how cute would they look with this dress?!

What will you be wearing on Mother's Day? What are your plans?

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Mask Monday: Montagne Jeunesse Wild Strawberry

If you saw this haul, you would have seen I bought this mask 3 months ago!! I can't believe it's taken me this long to use it. Anyway, first thought was that it smelt delicious. The masks contains strawberry (duh!) and rhubarb, which really came through in the smell. If you don't like sweet scents though, stay away! I wanted to eat it however! (Please don't!). The mask is a gel like consistency with a red tinge. I had intended to take a picture with it on but I just look weirdly shiny; something you guys don't need to see!

The mask is aimed to get rid of dead skin and impurities and my skin did feel smooth after using it. However, to get rid of the dead skin, it is a peeling mask. I find peeling masks to be a bit messy and a tad annoying if the mask hasn't fully dried. I do love the satisfaction of peeling it off though. Only me? Okay...

Overall a nice basic mask but nothing special. Montagne Jeunesse reminds me of my childhood sleepovers and this is one I would definitely have loved back then. One thing to add though, I had a enough product for an application and a half which was great, as I hate it when you have to spread a mask thinly!

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Superdrug, Matalan and Primark Haul!

I apologise for the varying lighting in these photos. I obviously got a bit carried away with editing (oops). Anyway, bad editing aside, my mum came up to visit  a few weeks ago and surprisingly she was a very bad influence on me!

First stop was Matalan where I picked up this gorgeous hoodie and jumper. I've actually since lost the hoodie on a night out which I'm gutted about. They're both really thick and so soft. So lovely that I'm going back to Matalan to hopefully find another one! The grey was so versatile and could be thrown over anything and I've been using the maroon jumper to add a bit of colour to more boring outfits. These were £10 and £8 respectively.

Next was Primark where I picked up a few of the essentials; hair bands and toothbrushes. I wouldn't actually recommend either of these which is so annoying! The hair band snapped on first use. I know I've got thick hair but  it's not that bad! The toothbrushes are alright but I feel like they're not as durable or soft as more expensive toothbrushes. What you get for 75p I suppose!

Last but not least we visited my beloved Superdrug. I picked up Superdrug's own BB Cream which I'm loving btw; review to come. I also got some more toner as I like to have a softer one and more chemically exfoliating one in. Finally my holy grail (see post here) tanning moisturiser which was offer so I definitely couldn't resist!

Have you picked up anything recently? Or like/dislike anything I bought?

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The Base Dilemma #2

 

 On Friday I spoke about the dilemma of what to use to apply your skin base, today I thought I'd tackle the eye base. There are so many options to choose from so I've chosen a select few. You can go in without a base (I often do, ain't nobody go' time for dat) but if you're looking for a long wearing eye look, a base can really help. It also helps if you have any discolouration or veins on your eyelids that you would like to cover first.

Concealer

This is a great choice as many people will already have this in their stash (go us for no extra spending!) Just dab small amount on the lid and blend over. Done! Be careful not to be too heavy handed with it. A little can go a long way- you're only look for something for the eyeshadow to stick to, not to highlight/conceal your whole eye!

Cream shadow/ Paint pot

Any of the above will do. These are lovely if you're doing a specific eye look. I love using my Maybelline Colour Tattoo in On and On Bronze when I'm doing a brown eye look as it adds depth to the look in seconds. If not, something like MAC's paint pot in Painterly (which is a skin like colour) can prep the eye, even out any pigmentation/veins, as well as providing a base for your look.

Eye shadow stick

Very similar to the above but in stick form. I use this when I don't want to get my fingers dirty. The product can be just striped on and blended with a brush. Quick and easy application!

Primer

The most obvious of the bunch. You can get purpose built eye primers (for example Urban Decay Primer Potion) but really any sort of primer will do. I like this 17 primer for priming my eyes as it makes the look last longer and really smooths out the skin. This one is silicon based so doesn't agree with the rest of my face but just round my eyes is perfect.

So that's all the options I've got! Let me know if you use anything different or use any of these. I'm really interested as whatever I seem to use, I do end up with a slight ring of my make up round my eyes (booo!)

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Apple Cakejacks recipe

 

You may have come to this post wondering what this magical recipe is for. To be quite honest, I invented it and it started from a batch of failed flapjacks. Failed or not however, they are delicious and so quick and easy to make!

Sit down, let me tell you a story... I had the worse sugar craving ever yesterday and decided I would attempt to make flapjacks. I looked up a recipe and I had two of the ingredients: oats and golden syrup.From that point, I decided to wing it. My house mate was hanging around (in hope to get some of the end product no doubt) and was sceptically looking over my shoulder whilst I was mixing the ingredients together. She later told me she thought I'd put too much apple in (thanks Vic!) but never said at the time. This is why they didn't turn into flapjacks. The mixture was far too wet and therefore didn't crisp up.

Anyway, the end result was a gooey, apple cake middle with an oaty top, which is relatively healthy seeing as it only has three ingredients! Let me know if you try it! They are delicious I promise!

Ingredients:

1. Oats
2. Stewed Apple (my nana had pre-stewed the apple for me (bless her!) If you don't have a handy nana like me, just cut up some cooking apples and add a small bit of water, sugar and cinnamon (optional) to a pan and heat slowly until soft) 
3. Golden Syrup

(I haven't put measurements as I obviously did it by eye but you can mix up more as you go, if you want more mixture. Just go with your instincts!)

Method:

1. Mix ingredients together in large mixing bowl until all the oats are covered in the apple
2. Place in a baking tray and press the oats into the pan (greasing optional; I forgot and my apple cakejacks still popped right off the tray easily)
3. Bake for 20-30 minutes at 200 degrees until golden brown and crisp on top

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The Base Application Dilemma

 When I first started applying make up, I assumed that fingers were the only way forward. I muddled through with foundation covered hands and my base applied fine. Then I started watching beauty videos and reading blogs, and I lusted after every brush I saw. Now I realise there is a choice, depending on preference and products so I thought I would give a round up of the base appliers...

The Foundation Brush

This is a flat, usually slightly rounded brush (far left in the picture). I like to call this 'the paint brush'. Personally I have never got on with one of these as I find my base applies too heavy for my liking. However if you would like more coverage from your base, then this would be a great one to choose as you can literally just paint the product on.

Use for: more coverage

The Buffing Brush

This is my Real Techniques Buffing Brush (second brush on the left), but really I'm talking about any dense brush. This is my favourite way to apply most foundations. These brushes mean you are able to really buff the product into the skin for a more natural, skin like finish. I find product goes further using this brush and I don't apply as much as I would with anything else.

Use for: a skin like finish

The Sponge

This is a sponge I had lying around from Halloween (far right) as I don't actually own a proper one but I'm talking of the likes of the egg sponge, beauty blender, any sort of sponge really. Usually used damp, the sponge can give a dewy, bright look and can blend, for instance, concealer really well with foundation. Despite the dewy look, they still seem to keep the coverage of the product. The neat freak in me doesn't like sponges as they don't always wash up nicely. Also be aware of the hygiene aspect of them. Being a sponge, they can be hard to wash thoroughly so may not be best for spot prone skin.

Use for: a dewy finish

Fingers

Not pictured (haha) but I love reverting to my hands for a quick application. I use my fingers for BB creams and the likes as I find it speeds up application and also the heat from my fingers works the product into the skin well. Yay for free applicators (your fingers)! Again, however, be aware of hygiene and wash your hands first as to not spread germs all over your clean face.

Use for: speedy, free and well blended application

I've really enjoyed writing this post! Let me know what you apply your base with or if you can think of any more applicators.

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Summer Skin

Okay so it's not quite summer I admit that. After all the rainy, cloudy grey days though, the first bit of sun and warmth in the air got me excited. I love summer; the sun, the ice cream, the hot days, and most of all getting my tan onnnnn. I feel so much more confident with a tan, maybe even more me. Is it weird to say I don't suit my natural skin tone? I go very pale in the winter and look almost sickly so it is more than time for a tan. Seeing as I can't wait for England's sun to come out (and partially because it might never come!), I've enlisted the help of a trusty holy grail product of mine.

Let's go back a  step. Winter is gone and so have the need for industrial tights and long sleeved tops. Dust off your razors ladies and get scrubbing and a shaving. My favourite things to get rid of scaly skin are exfoliating gloves and scrubs (see this post). I use exfoliating gloves (or scrubby gloves as my family call them) all year round as, as well as keeping dry skin at bay, they improve circulation if used in a sweeping motion towards the heart. Sometimes this doesn't cut it on my feet however (TMI?) and when this happens, I go in with my pumice stone to keep them baby soft.

I can't take the upkeep of fake tan. The fading and weird marks it leaves aren't for me so gradual moisturisers are the perfect alternative. I slap Palmer's Cocoa Butter Natural Bronze on when I'm out of the shower and it just gives me the perfect sunkissed look. Do be careful to wash your hands after applying this though as too many times I've realised I've got lovely orange marks between my fingers!!

How do you get your summer glow? 

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Rant, moan and negativity

Bit of a different post today and a negative one on a Monday... not ideal I know. It's on the subject of negative posts. I'm going to say it. I don't like to be negative on my blog.

Now this isn't because I want to portray that I love every product I try or anything of the sorts. It's just that posts are easier to write on products that I like/ love and the sub-standard, below par products get pushed to the back of my stash. Another reason is that I like to try and find a use for products that don't work in the way they're designed or find a way they can work better. For example, a brown matte eye shadow from my MUA palette is chalky and not particularly pigmented as a shadow on its own. Layered on top of smudged brown eye liner over lid however and it's not so chalky and you can build up the colour. I get a lot of use out of this shadow because of using it in this way whereas someone else may write it off.

Do not get me wrong, if I hate a product or don't think it is worth the money, I will share it with you! (and for example, have here) That's the purpose of this blog! To direct you to the best products and steer you away from the ones that aren't worth your hard earned pennies.

The reason I'm writing this post is that I've seen a lot of posts and tweets about bloggers being overly positive. I suppose I'm just putting my opinion on it, that I don't think this is such a bad thing, or the end of the honesty of blogging. It may just be that the brands are upping their game and products are better (that sounds a bit naive on my part!) or bloggers, like me, are finding alternatives to the not so great products!

I would absolutely love to hear your opinions on this subject! Am I being silly or do you agree less negative posts isn't such a bad thing?

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