Current Favourite Blushers.

It’s no secret that I’m a bit of a blush addict. I don’t have a particularly large make up collection but my blush draw is by far the most tightly packed. I was aiming to do a top 5 blush post but I’ve cheated slightly because I can’t narrow it down any further than 8. Yep, I'm super indecisive!

My first favourite is my only ELF blush and it’s in the shade candid coral. I’ve been meaning to try more shades from the studio range of blushes because I love this one so much, a couple will definitely sneak into my next order. The packaging is amazing for such an inexpensive product; it’s sleek looking and even has a little mirror inside. Candid coral is a gorgeous colour that I find so easy to wear, it’s not one of those colours that you have to be careful when applying and it’s very flattering on my warm toned skin. The formula is smooth and blends beautifully, I really can’t believe these only cost £3.50 and I would recommend them to everyone!

Left: On Location French Riviera. Right: Paris Show.

My next two favourites are both by the brand Modelista and I got them from my beautiful friend Tennille who lives in Australia. I don’t know if this is a brand you can only get in Australia, if so you Aussie’s are super lucky, but if you can get your hands on some of their products I really recommend them. I adore the packaging, it has just the right amount of tacky and you get a really good-sized mirror inside. I have two shades, On Location French Riviera, which is described as a pink rose blush palette, & Paris Show which is a blush and cheek highlighter palette. The blushes themselves are super pretty, they’re made up of different shades and I usually swirl my brush all around and then dust on to my cheeks. The on location French Riviera palette is probably my favourite of the 2 just because the colour is slightly warmer but I wear these a lot. I’m not sure how much these are but they’re worth every penny!

Another make up range I’ve been meaning to pick up a few more pieces from is Topshop. Me and Topshop clothing have a hate-hate relationship going on, but if the rest of the make up is as good as the cream blush I have, it’s pretty fabulous. The shade I have is Neon Rose and although it looks scarily bright in the pan, on the cheeks it gives a pretty coral flush that would be flattering on a variety of skin tones. Again the packaging is super cute, I like pretty packaging, and there’s a mirror inside which is always fabulous. These are £6 which I think is very reasonable and I’m pretty eager to get my hands on the shade flushed too.

After hearing a lot about NYX cosmetics on Youtube and blogs I’d wanted to try them out for a while. As I was browsing on one of the discount websites I found the cream blushers, saw they were only £3 or £4 and decided to give them a go. The shade Glow is a really lovely pinky shade that really does, as the name implies, make you look as if you are glowing. A little goes a very long way & these are so easy to blend even though the formula is a little thick, you’d think they would cost a lot more than they do.

The cool dusk blush trio from The Body Shop was limited edition sometime last summer I think and cost £12 but if you live anywhere near a Body Shop outlet you might be able to find one for £3 which is a bit of a bargain! Although it’s very cool toned I really like the way it looks on my skin tone plus it looks super pretty in the pan. Yep, I am that shallow. You can focus your brush on one part of the blush, or you can do what I like to do and get a mix of the 3 different tones. This is going to be one of my winter staples for sure.

Finally, it wouldn’t be a favourites post from me if I didn’t include some Illamasqua. I have two blushes from the brand, one cream & one powder and I adore them both. I don’t own any MAC products so the occasional product from Illamasqua is my little make up indulgence.

Unrequited.

Unrequited powder blush is described as a soft baby pink & that’s exactly what it is. It’s so pigmented & I’m very pale so I have to be careful with how much I apply to avoid looking like a clown, but the smallest amount gives a pretty pink flush and really warms up my complexion.

Promise cream blush is described as a warm candy pink & it’s so flattering on my skintone; I think it’s my favourite blush of all time. It manages to effortlessly brighten up my complexion and make me look really awake and glowy. Both blushers have an incredible consistency; they apply and blend so easily it takes no effort at all. These are the most expensive of my favourites at £16 each but they are so worth it I would recommend them to anyone, even if it takes a little extra saving up to purchase one.

Swatches:


I’m pretty sure if I were doing this post in a couple of weeks time Tweak from Illamasqua, which I've just purchased, would make it into my favourites but these are my current top picks.

What are your favourite blushers? Are there any must haves I need in my collection?
xoxo

Spending the Pennies.

Can someone please hide my debit card from me? Online shopping is just way too easy, a couple of clicks and there's something pretty heading your way. I also really love getting post, everyone loves getting post, right? Anyhoo, I was casually browsing Asos & Cheap Smells as you do & before I knew it I had accidentally bought a couple of things. ...oops?

I've never used any high end hair products, I've never thought my hair needed anything special but curiosity finally got the better of me. Is Bed Head considered high end in hair care? I have no idea but I've heard a lot about the Superstar range & when I saw the 750ml duo on CheapSmells.com for only £14 I thought I might as well give them a go. So far I love the packaging, hello obnoxiously bright pink bottles, and they smell gorgeous, the product not the bottles! Fingers crossed they do something for my yucky hair, it certainly needs some help!

Yep, Asos got me again. It's the free delivery option that sucks me in, it really is! I couldn't resist these super cute necklaces, I've got a bit of a thing for peace symbols at the moment, and I caved and bought another Illamasqua blush that I totally didn't need. Not needing something has never stopped me before so in the basket it went.

I've had my eye on this statement necklace for yonks, I was just waiting for it to go into the sale because I'm cheap. When I spied it had, I was quick to snap it up & I love it. It's not going to be to everyone's taste, my mum hates it for example, but I love it and that's all that matters!

My second necklace choice is far more dainty & pretty and I know I'm going to be wearing it a lot. The little peace charm is so tiny & the pearl effect chain just makes it a little more special than it would be on a plain gold chain.

An asos loot wouldn't be the same without something from Illamasqua finding its way into my basket now would it? I am so weak when it comes to blush. Tweak has been on my wishlist for such a long time but I'd been hesitant to get it because it's a slightly red based hot pink and at the time I had a lot of redness in my cheeks from acne. Distilled witch hazel has worked its magic in recent weeks and the redness has calmed down dramatically so I thought I'd go ahead and purchase. I'm so happy I did because it's a gorgeous colour and like all Illamasqua blushes, so incredibly pigmented. At £16 these aren't cheap but they will last such a long time, they're a good investment in my opinion!

Are you someone who can't resist the temptation of online shopping? Please tell me I'm not alone!
xoxo

Ralphie.

My number one most requested post at the moment is more pictures of Ralphie! He's fast becoming the star of my blog & I can totally see why, after all, he's way cuter than me!

He's almost 11 weeks old now and proving to be very cheeky. As I type this he's trying to steal my cream cake & he's always trying to squeeze himself into tiny spaces or attempting to dig a hole in my carpet. He's discovered that he can squeeze under my chest of drawers & apparently it's very comfortable because it took me over an hour to coax him out. When he's not being naughty he's usually being lazy and sleeping somewhere.

I think his ears are totally adorable, when he relaxes them one sticks up and the other flops down - how cute! That's definitely his little bit of mini lop shining through.

He's doing really well & I love him very much. I'm going to start slowly introducing fresh veggies into his diet in the next couple of weeks, hopefully he'll like real carrots more than he likes his little toy carrot. I think I was conned into buying him toys, he's really not interested in things if he can't eat them & I don't blame him there!

Lots of love, Ralphie! ♥
xoxo

Frame Friday 006.

0001. Now the weather is getting cooler I wake up to condensation on my window & I love how pretty and ethereal the world looks through it. 
0002. I started my new job yesterday and it went really well. I'm still a bit nervy because I don't know the stock inside out just yet, but hopefully I'll pick it up quickly. There are so many things I want to buy already, oh dear!
0003. Thank you again for all your positive comments on my recent outfit posts, I really wasn't expecting it at all. I didn't think I'd enjoy doing them because I'm terribly awkward in front of a camera & don't consider myself in the slightest bit fashionable, but surprisingly they're fast becoming one of my favourite posts to do.
0004. Ralphie is becoming a cheeky bunny, there's no other word to describe him. He definitely knows what he wants and he'll have a little strop if he doesn't get it. He's very cute!
0005. Online shopping is something I partake in a little too often, it's just too easy! But the part I don't like is having to wait for my goodies to be delivered, that's just no fun & I'm super impatient. I hope they arrive tomorrow!
0006. The scon/scone debate has arisen again! I call it a scone, what do you say?!

xoxo

What I Wore: Paper Planes and Playground Games.

Firstly I’d just like to say a huge thank you for all the lovely comments on my first outfit post, I really wasn’t expecting such an overwhelmingly positive response but it really made me smile. I’ve definitely been bitten by the outfit bug and this time round it was a little easier. By that I mean I didn’t have to take almost 60 images in a bid to find one where I wasn’t mid-blink, am I actually gaining control of my face?!

The cooler weather of late has encouraged me start layering again. Autumn and winter are my favourite seasons by far because if you’re cold you can put more clothes on, but when you’re too hot there’s only so far you can go!

Dress: Gino NV.

Tee: Primark.

Cardigan: H&M.

Excuse my odd pointy finger in the first photograph, it appears to have a mind of it’s own and for some reason I can’t help but find it incredibly annoying. Weird finger aside, this dress is one of my favourites. The cute pinafore style & bow detailing is really cute and the way it’s cut at the top gives my modest bust a bit of an imaginary size-boost. The cardigan on the other hand is a bit of a pain in the bum because every time it’s washed it shrinks and has to be stretched back into shape. The stretching is taking its toll but I just love its shape & colour so much I’ll keep wearing it until I can’t anymore. I now know why there was a huge pile of them in H&M for £5 and I will avoid in future.

Over the last few days I’ve loved wearing really simple make up that only takes me 10 minutes max to apply. Today I tried the max volume flash mascara by Rimmel again & I still hate it. It takes far too long to dry & because I have quite hooded eyelids the mascara just smudges everywhere unless I keep my eyes closed for 15 minutes. I’ve had it for quite a while and I thought maybe it’s one that gets better with time, but nope, instead it’s going in the bin. Big & curvy I’m sorry I deserted you - please take me back! Cream blush is still amazing in my opinion & glow by NYX is one of my favourites, it’s a beautiful colour that I’d recommend over and over.

My lip combination today was a bit different. I opted for Vintage Pink by Rimmel, which looks quite purple on my lips with Wild about Violet lipgloss from Revlon over the top. Despite being super pale I actually quite liked it, a definite combination for winter.

What did you wear today & what are your favourite make up looks at the moment?
xoxo

Review: Alva Natural Skincare.

Alva is a company that produces a range of natural and organic skincare & make up products, which are free from potentially nasty ingredients like parabens and SLS. Their products are also not tested on animals with the majority having organic certification as well. Alva were kind enough to send me three different products to test out which I have been doing over the last couple of months.

The Daily Care roll on deodorant is something I’ve been using daily since I received it. I think it’s a fabulous product and that’s coming from someone who usually dislikes roll-on deodorants. This doesn’t leave my underarms feeling uncomfortably damp for ages like some can and the scent, coconut lime, really is divine – it’s a pleasant change from cotton fresh & other usual deodorant scents!

I don’t have, how shall I put this, an underarm sweat problem so I don’t need anything as heavy duty as say Mitchum. If you do prefer those kinds of products then this one won’t be for you, but if you’re looking for a paraben free deodorant I’d really recommend giving this one a go. The formulation is really gentle, alcohol free and I think the extracts of chamomile & comfrey have really helped to soothe my underarm area & prevent any irritation from shaving.

The deodorants come in a range of scents and are priced at £7. I’ve used mine daily for months now and I’m not even half way through so this really is a product that will last a long time.

The second product I’ve been trying is the eye cream with organic sea buckthorn and if I’m honest, I’m not sure how to review this. I’m not saying that because it’s a bad product, I think it’s nice, but I’ve not tried many eye creams in the past so I don’t have any comparisons. The cream is aimed for skin over 30 to reduce fine lines and firm the skin; those aren’t problems I have at the moment since I’m only 21 but I have noticed my eyes don’t look as tired as they used to which is lovely!

The squeeze tube makes it easy to apply the right amount to your eyes & will also allow you to get every last bit out of the tube – you’ve got to get your moneys worth after all! The cream itself is fairly thick in consistency yet it blends nicely and sinks in almost instantly. At £18 it’s not super cheap, but it’s also not what I’d call pricey for a skincare item. Would I purchase this with my own money? Yes I think I would, but in a few years time when I think it would be more suitable for my skin type. I’ve definitely got the eye cream bug at the moment and I’m excited to try some that are formulated for younger skin to see how they compare.

The final product is my absolute favourite because I’m a sucker for pretty pink lipgloss. The packaging is sleek and sophisticated with my only negative being you can’t see when you’re running out. That being said, I don’t think I’ve ever finished an entire tube of lipgloss, am I alone there?

The shade I have is called rose wet & I refer to it as my 60’s gloss. It’s pigmented enough to wear alone leaving a pretty baby pink shimmer to the lips but I also adore wearing it over a pink lipstick like pink pout from Revlon.

Scent wise this seems quite citrusy to me which I really like and the formula is lovely. It has ingredients like cocoa butter & vitamin e to ensure this won’t dry your lips out, in fact it’ll offer moisture. In this specific range there are only 2 other colours but Alva also have different glosses that come in a range of colours. These are £11.95 so slightly more expensive than the pharmacy glosses I usually purchase but not by much & the formulation is so lovely that I’d say it’s worth the extra couple of pounds.

Overall I have to give a massive thumbs up to Alva; not only do I really like the whole ethos behind the company, I also think they have some great quality products that make it a special brand. Have you ever tried any products from Alva? Are there any that I need to check out?
xoxo

What I Wore: Transatlanticism.

Dress – Boohoo.

Leggings: H&M.

Slipper boots: Primark.

Okay, the one thing I’ve learned today is that taking outfit photos is hard work. My room isn’t big enough & I’m not short enough to take proper full length pictures which I must admit, I’m a little annoyed about - if only I were a few inches shorter! Also in 99% of the (many) images I took I seem to have blinked at just the point the shutter clicked, typical! Behind the camera I’m comfortable, in front of it I become an awkward fool. Oh dear. Maybe practise makes it easier? Please tell me it gets easier!

Keeping accessories simple with a dress as bold as this one is an absolute must for me because I’m admittedly a bit boring safe with my outfits.

Plane necklace – Asos.

Heart ring – Scape jewellery.

Charm bracelet – 21st birthday present.

I’ve fallen back in love with my cool dusk blush from The Body Shop & I think it’ll be a staple for me this winter because it’s not matte which I adore. I bought a back up in the York Designer Outlet for £3 so luckily I won’t be running out any time soon.

Today is a lazy day so I kept the rest of my face super simple with just a little Healthy mix foundation, Benefit Boi-ing & Erase Paste concealers and lashings of Big & Curvy mascara from The Body Shop.

What did you wear today?
xoxo

PS. Do you have a lookbook or a chictopia account? I just got them & I have no clue how to use them at the moment but if you’d like to be my friend or whatever you do to follow people on there then that would be wonderful!

Frame Friday 005.

0001. I keep slipping back into my way of taking photographs no matter how hard I try to attempt different styles. If that’s a good thing or bad I’m not too sure but maybe it’s something I shouldn’t fight.

0002. The start date for my Open University course is drawing closer and I’m still feeling unprepared. Some pretty stationery is needed I think. Hopefully I'm not alone in my infatuation with pretty stationery! Whenever I get a new notebook the first few pages are always in my very best handwriting, that soon goes downhill though!

0003. Saturday was supposed to be my last day at my current job but I've left early. I have never been spoken to in such a rude manner by anyone before & I didn't deserve all of that. I'm disappointed in myself for crying again, I cry at everything! But nevermind, I have a nice few days off before I start my new job with my lovely new manager.

0004. In happier news, Ralphie is settling in really well, he’s got a really cheeky personality and I love him very much. He doesn’t like my hairdryer or the hoover but to be honest, I wouldn’t like them very much either so I don’t blame him for hiding in his little house.

0005. Sailboat had a little make over this week & although I wasn’t sure at first I really like it now. My three column layout was so difficult to get (because I’m html illiterate) so I was a bit reluctant to part with it, but I think my new layout is cleaner with more of a theme and an identity. What do you think, do you like it?

How has your week been? I hope it's been a good one!
xoxo

My first foray into Boohoo Clothing.

Everyone and their dog probably know by now that I love florals,iIn fact I think I love them a little too much. Branching out into clothes that aren’t covered with pretty flowers is something I should probably do at some point. Maybe. My first venture into the world of Boohoo turned out to be a positive one, I’m very happy with my purchases & I thought I'd try and photograph them to see if I'm cut out for doing more fashion based posts.

This first dress is so flattering on my (very) pear-shaped figure because of the elastic just under the bust that accentuates my small waist while skimming over my massive hips.

It's one of those dresses that are easy to throw on with a cute cardigan and some tights on those lazy days we all love. I can see this lasting me all through winter with cosy accessories and into spring & summer next year with light cardigans and sandals.



It’s so versatile and considering it only cost £8, that’s fabulous value for money in my opinion, even for such a basic item.

The lace details on this floral dress just make it that little bit different from the others in my wardrobe.

Again I can see this being just as versatile and lasting through a few different seasons as it's so easy to wear. The lace panel under the bust means this is a flattering dress for my pear shaped figure too which is always a good thing in my book; there’s nothing worse on me than a dress with no shape, I end up looking like a giant blob.

At £8 this was a bit of a bargain I reckon and I love it.

This dress is just adorable; I’m so in love with absolutely everything about it.

There’s a tie at the waist which makes it super flattering as well as cute buttons on the front and pretty cut out bow details on the back. It’s a little shorter than I’m used to but that’s where my trusty leggings come in to save the day.


Whenever I put this on I feel 10 times more confident and secure within myself, which is strange because ultimately, it's just a dress. Maybe it's the bold colour or maybe it's just because it makes me feel pretty but whatever it is, I love it and it makes me happy. Happiness that only cost £8, lovely!

I think I’ve saved my favourite dress for last, although it’s a close call between this & the red floral one, and I imagine it’s one that you'll either love or hate.

It’s pretty far removed from my usual florals but that’s what I was going for. Although I still adore all things floral, which you can see, from my first three dress choices, I do feel like I’m stuck in a bit of a style rut. When I put this on I feel like I’ve fallen out of the 1970’s and I just adore it.

The colours in the print are quite bright which is perfect because it doesn’t wash me out & being pale it’s super easy for that to happen. The three quarter sleeves have an adorable little flare at the end, which I think is a lovely detail & the square neck is flattering on my almost non-existent bust.


Since the print is so bold I’ve been pairing it with a simple black cardigan and leggings although if you have any other suggestions of how I could style this please let me know! At £6 I couldn't not add this to my basket.

Overall I’m very impressed with Boohoo, the quality isn’t absolutely incredible but considering I didn’t pay more than £8 for a single item I don’t think that’s really much of an issue. I sent a couple of items back and although it took a couple of weeks, I had no problems with their refund system either. It was completely hassle free which is what you want when buying online - big thumbs up to Boohoo from me.

Have you ever bought anything from Boohoo.com? What did you think of them?
xoxo