The 2014 'To Try' List

In the year of 2013, after reading many beauty posts and watching a considerable amount of YouTube videos for product reviews, favourites and 'products I have used up' I have accumulated a (very long) list of products I have been wanting to try. As we have entered 2014 I figured a new year brings a time to try new products, so these are a few products on my 'to try' list for 2014...

1. Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray

Since getting quite a substantial chop off the locks, I can't count how many times I have searched through beauty posts, Youtube videos and Pinterest for that perfect tousled 'I just woke up like this' hair that Alexa Chung sports like a pro. Apparently after much searching for the perfect product, Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray does the job. Plus after reading Vivianna Does Makeup's blog post and watching her hair tutorials the results won me over.

2. Urban Decay Naked Palette 3

I use my other Naked Palettes religiously and love them to bits so I can't see why this one would be any exception. I am especially a big fan of the rosy shades as the other palettes are mostly gold and bronze shades. 

3. It Cosmetics Bye Bye Redness

If you have seen Meghan Rosette's current foundation routine I am sure you have already gotten your paws on this one. This product is like the queen of the 'clear skin illusion'. Looks like it's quite hard to get it over here in in the UK but I will find it. 

4. Emma Hardy Cleansing Balm

I have heard amazing things about this product. From leaving your skin soft and completely makeup free, it's too good not to try. 

5. Clarins Instant Eye Makeup Remover

Don't get my wrong, I love my Bioderma but it's not the best for taking off waterproof mascara and I end up having to scrub it off, with the risk of losing a few eyelashes in the process. So as I have heard this 'melts' away any eye makeup, I figured for the sake of my lashes I would give it a go.  

Natural and Awake Makeup Look

For those tired and dull skin days (having had lot's of those since being at uni). My face is always in need of a bit of a pick-me-up. These are some of my beauty picks for an awake and fresh faced look after pulling those pesky all nighters. 

First, I like to prime my face with the Benefit "that gal" Brightening Face Primer which instantly corrects dull skin and gives a natural glow to the skin. Then I use the Rimmel Wake Me Up Foundation which is becoming to be my new favourite foundation. It has a light to medium coverage that is buildable and gives a lovely natural, dewy and glowing finish. Under the eyes and any blemishes I have I use the Benefit Erase Paste. This also does a brilliant job of brightening under the eyes to hide those dark circles and makes you look more awake (even if you are a walking zombie).
I like to have a subtle pink glow on the cheeks and for this I use the Topshop Head Over Heels Cream Blush which is a lovely coral pink colour and complements any skin tone. If I wanna go that extra mile and look even more awake I will go in with a highlighter and for this I use just a bit of Mac Mineralize Skinfinish in Soft and Gentle, this gives a bronze, rose gold colour to the tops on the cheek bones. 
For eyes I keep it really simple, to be honest I would rather have that extra few minutes in bed then faff around with eye shadow when I haven't had much sleep. So I just pop a bit of BareMinerals Eyecolor in Soul on the tear duct area to brighten up the eyes then use a few coats of Maybelline The Rocket Mascara. Then to finish off the look I use Maybelline Baby Lips in Peach Kiss.

xoxo

Christmas Jumpers

The Christmas season has once again rolled around and I felt like a festive post was definitely in need. Let's face it, as soon as we get into December it is finally universally acceptable to break out the Christmas decor, buy huge tins of chocolate, have numerous trips to Starbucks to take advantage of there festive drinks (having so many in the Christmas season you actually forgot that in fact the cups are not normally red) and last but not least, the Christmas jumpers.

Everyone loves a good Christmas jumper. They are everywhere tempting you to buy one every time you walk into a shop. Let's be honest though, you don't want to be shelling out a load of money on a jumper that is only socially acceptable to wear for one month (even though you may wear it for more).

So after many of hours scanning the addicting world of online shopping I have found a some festive Christmas jumpers that won't break the bank.

1. Topshop, Kitted Gingerbread Man Jumper £42.00 

2. ASOS, Only Christmas Pudding Jumper £25.00

3. Next, Snowflake Sweater £32.00

4. New Look, Cream Reindeer Sequin Nose Fluffy Christmas Jumper £27.99

5. Next, Fairisle Pattern Sweater £30.00

6. ASOS, Pop Boutique Reindeer Knitted Christmas Jumper £30.00

xoxo

Lazy Day // The Essentials

Lazy days, you just can't live without them. Call me a hermit but I enjoy a bit of 'me time', the kind of days where you don't leave the house. Every lazy day comes comfy clothes, pamper products, and the entertainment of course...

The Pampering

With every lazy day comes a face mask, an Origins one to be exact. This Origins Out of Trouble 10 Minute Mask does the job of soothing your skin and stopping any unwanted breakouts. I also use this day to give my nails a little TLC. I remove any nail polish, file and buff my nails. I then apply two coats of OPI Nail Envy Strengthener to give my nails a break from it all.

The Entertainment

Gather up your favourite magazines, my personal favourites being Cosmopolitan, Glamour and Company. Now is this just me or does everyone search through the pages for the samples first? Guilty. I then browse through Netflix and catch up on some Heros, Vampire Diaries and a few of my favourite rom-coms.

The Outfit
This normally involves the comfiest things in my wardrobe and I am a big fan of the Brandy Melville Layla Hoodie. Literally the softest thing I have ever worn. I pair this with some leggings and these cute cream knitted slipper socks that I got for Christmas a while back. Hair up in a messy bun, and I'm ready to start my lazy day.

What are your lazy day essentials? 

xoxo

The Review // Living Proof Prime Style Extender

I have to admit when I first heard about this product, I thought it was a gimmick. Maybe because I don't really use or believe in primers as I have never really found they made a massive difference to my makeup. Having said that when I saw there was a hair primer, I was pretty curious as to how it actually works (and if it does work) so I figured I would test it out to cure my curiosity.

My hair isn't really one to hold a curl and as this product claims to "save time and forget the touch- ups" this compelled me even more to try it. And yes, Living Proof does live up to its name and it's claims. It also smells like you have been in a hair salon after you use it which to me, is always a bonus. Not to mention it cuts my dry time in half which is a massive turn on for little old lazy me (time to say goodbye to that hairdryer arm cramp). 

On top of all the other things I have mentioned of why I love this product so much, it saves your hair for another day without a wash. Washing my hair is seen as a chore for me so alas, brownie points for this. Having said this, I'm sure this product will be different for everyones certain hair type. My hair being thin, pin straight and not one to hold styles, this product helps to give it more of a mattified texture and not a rough, beachy texture. It still keeps the shine and movement in your hair by simply making it feel a bit fuller. The primer eliminates that annoying first day freshly washed hair that never cooperates. 

Have you tried this product and what do you think of it? 

xoxo

Hair Inspiration

I am stuck in a 'hair rut'. I'm sure we've all been there. In fact I have been here before but alas, I was just too darn lazy (and admittedly a bit scared) to do anything about it. However, I figure a new season, new chapter in my life with university, and a new found love in the Pinterest hair boards.... I thought a new 'do would be fitting right about now.

Thus, after hours of procrastination from my university assignments *slaps wrists* on Pinterest I have come up with a few ideas of what I have in mind for my new 'do.

 Image found via Pinterest

Image found via Pinterest

                                                                         Image found via Fabsugar

How can you not love these girls hair?! That effortless, slightly wavy look is my ultimate favourite. Especially because it would take me close to no time at all to style it in the mornings, instead of spending an age on my long mop- I will be having some quality time, just my bed and I.

What's your preference on hair length? Long, medium, short?

xoxo

Skincare Routine

I am skincare fanatic. I have tried almost every product in the market to find 'the one' in terms of skincare routines, and yes, I have found it.
First off, I should probably tell you a little bit about my skin type. My skin is a bit all over the shop, a bit oily in some places, the occasional dry patch and acne prone. Fun stuff. However, these products are perfect to keep everything in control so here is my step-by-step skincare routine.

Step 1

I start my removing all my makeup at night with Bioderma using a cotton pad. This product is also amazing at removing waterproof eye makeup! This takes the majority of my makeup off so it's ready for cleansing.

 Step 2
With a makeup free face, I put a pea size amount of La Rouche-Posay Purifying Foaming Gel on my Clarasonic Mia. This face wash is perfect for eliminating any oily areas on my face and paired with the Clarasonic Mia it works the face wash right into my skin and into my pores, cleaning any unwanted dirt off my face. It also helps prevent blemishes from coming up and any oily areas on my face which is always a bonus!

Step 3

After cleansing my face, I put a pea size amount of La Rouche-Posay Effaclar Duo- I am in love with this product and it is definitely an important part of my skincare. It helps to prevent any blemishes from coming up and heals any that have, basically like a calm spot treatment that can be used all over your face. As I mentioned before, my skin sometimes has some dry patches so I pop the Aveeno Moisturising Cream for Dry and Sensitive Skin on any dry areas. For my moisturiser I use La Rouche-Posay Moisturising Cream for Sensitive Skin and then on any blemishes I use Origins Super Spot Remover which pretty much does what it says on the tin. 

In the mornings I use this same routine apart from the Origins Super Spot Remover and Bioderma.

xoxo