Wednesday 30 April 2014

Sephora and Space NK Haul ft. Tarte & NARS.

tarte sephora haul beauty blog

After running out of my Illamasqua Skin Base last week I decided that I wanted to try something new before I head out to sea for 6 months (see my cruise ship announcement post). In particular, I was looking for something with spf in as I am going to be in the Mediterranean/Caribbean and my skin burns super easily. Anyway, this lead to me filling up a basket on the Sephora website, who now ship to the UK as you probably have already heard. After a few days of adding and subtracting various products from my basket, I ended up deciding on a few Tarte bits, as their new stockist in the UK, QVC, annoyingly don’t stock the lightest foundation shades. Additionally, I also made a cheeky Space NK order of the NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer (£22) in shade Chantilly, as I’ve been wanting to try it out for quite a while. The colour is a perfect match and although I’ve only used it a handful of times, I'm completely in love with it. Hello new NARS obsession.

Anyway, onto the Sephora purchases. Firstly, I picked up the Amazonian Clay Full Coverage Foundation (£24 minus tax) in shade Ivory. I’ve heard a lot of good things about this foundation and although I have a feeling it will be a bit too dark for me, I can always lighten it up with a smidge of white foundation. As I am also I need of a new Primer, I picked up the BB Tinted Treatment 12 Hour Primer (£21.50 minus tax) in shade fair. As this is tinted I don't think I will be using it under a full coverage foundation, but it’s perfect for under a lighter coverage one. From what I’ve used of it so far it’s evened out the texture and colour of my skin, leaving it so smooth. I can probably even get away with using this just on its own with a bit of concealer to be honest. The added SPF 30 was one of the main reason I decided on this product and I know I will be getting a tonne of use out of it when I’m on the cruise ship. Finally, I couldn't resist the hype of the Amazonian Clay Airbrush Foundation (£22.75 minus tax) in shade Fair Honey and the Airbuki Bamboo Powder Foundation Brush (£16.50 minus tax). I’ve never used mineral foundation before and was really curious to what its about. Stay tuned for my thoughts on this in the next few weeks.

Want to know the best part about all of these purchases? Tarte and NARS are both cruelty free! All together I did spend quite a chunk of money as taxes were an additional £18.56 plus £10 shipping (which does include import taxes thankfully), but seeing as I haven’t splurged on makeup in quite a while I wanted a little treat. Let’s hope all the products end up being worth it.

What are your Sephora picks? Have any of you UK lovelies made an order yet? What is on your Sephora wish list?

xox

Bloglovin | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Youtube

Monday 28 April 2014

The Travelling Makeup Bag

travel makeup bag london 2014

I am one of those girls who, more often than not, finds it difficult to pack light. It’s not uncommon to find me “oooohing” and “ahhhing” over which products to take when packing for a trip, all the while trying to justify bringing along something I wont need. “But i might need this bright yellow eyeshadow from this massive palette in the 2 nights I am away in case I’m inspired by the sunshine”, no Jane, just no. Recently though, I have started to restrict myself to “one of each” not including lipstick, which i permit two of. Today I am going to share with you some of my favourite travelling makeup companions, that I took with me on my trip to London earlier this month.

For my base I threw in an Inglot Primer as I’m determined to finish this off soon, along with my Dior Skin Forever Foundation. It’s really lightweight and lasts the whole day, perfect for a city break while the added SPF is always a bonus. Collection’s Lasting Perfection Concealer pretty much comes everywhere with me anyway, but we all know how amazing it is already right? NARS Laguna Bronzer and NARS Boy’s Don’t Cry Blush adorned my cheeks (I really need to get me some more NARS) while Fyrinnae Loose Powder, an indie gem I’m currently obsessed with, set everything beautifully.

Now I actually forgot to bring one of my staples on this trip, Urban Decay Primer Potion. When i discovered that it wasn't in my makeup bag I had abit of a panic that my eyeshadow would crease and I would look a mess in one of the most fashion conscious cities in the world. But, I actually faired well without it thanks to Urban Decay Naked Basics Palette. Never did I think that I could wear eyeshadow without a primer, usually everything creases on me. Urban Decay, you are my saviour. Not only did Naked Basics stop my creasing woes, but it also contains some great versatile neutrals all compiled in a small, travel friendly palette. Did I mention how much I love Urban Decay? For eyeliner, my much loved Urban Decay 24/7 Pencil in Zero and Collection Felt Tip Liner made the cut, as well as a new discovery in the form of Urban Decay Super Curling Mascara. Additionally, as my eyebrows are non existent I always have to fill them in, for which I am currently using the Anastasia Brow Wiz in Ash Blonde. Finally for lips, I adore the Revlon “chubby pencil” ranges so had to bring along two of my favourites, in a bright colour as well as a more neutral choice.

What are your travel makeup essentials?

xox

Bloglovin | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Youtube

Sunday 27 April 2014

Announcement: Cruise Ship Photographer & Travel Blog

ventura_682_460466a

Todays Sunday post is some recent news I wish to share with you all! If you follow me on twitter or my (former) Disney Blog you will know that I have been offered a job as a cruise ship photographer! At the end of March I went down to Southampton for an interview with a company called The Ship’s Photographer who recruit for P&O and Cunard cruise lines, after which i was offered the job. I have been given a start date of June 18th aboard the P&O ship Ventura, which is currently sailing around the Mediterranean before heading over to the Caribbean for winter. The contract is 6 months with the opportunity to renew at the end of it and I'm so excited to start! Photography means so much to me and being able to travel the world while doing it is going to be a great experience. Unfortunately this probably means I wont be around on the blog as much, as i will be working 7 days a week and internet wont always be available. I love this blog and will never stop posting, it just wont be as often. On the other hand, if you do wish to keep up to date with my global adventures you can check out my Travel Blog here! This was formerly my Disney ICP Blog but I’ve decided to use it for general travel, as this something which is going to play a big part in my life for the next few years. Of course, its still going to have my Disney Adventures up on there. I’m going to be posting here as normal up until I leave and when I’m back in the UK for my holiday time and do have some exciting features planned for when I am on board. Wish me luck!

Have you ever been on a cruise?

xox

Bloglovin | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Youtube

Wednesday 23 April 2014

The Alternative Neutral Eye

the alternative neutral eye

the alternative neutral eye

Muted purples and smudged out liner is the combination for one of my favourite everyday makeup looks. It’s still quite edgy without being too heavy and is really simple to create. I’ve always been on the darker/more gothic side of fashion culture and my makeup tends to reflect that, but for those who don’t wear a lot of eye makeup, this look would be perfect for the evening or when you want something that is a little more “dressed up”.

I primarily used the Beautifully Disney L’Amour Mauve Eyeshadow Palette, which contains some beautiful purple tones. First I applied a highlight shade, Venus from the Naked Basics Palette, all over the lid and upto the brow bone. This not only give a lighter lid colour which will open up the eyes more, but also creates a nice base for blending. Next I applied the light purple shade numbered Eyeshadow #2 to the crease and blended out, while further adding a darker purple, Eyeshadow #3, to the outer corner to give more depth. Using one of my favourite black eyeliners, Urban Decay 24/7 in Zero, I lined my eye and smudged out with a pencil brush before adding mascara. The great thing about this look is you can completely change the mood of it depending on what lip colour you opt for. I chose to use Collection’s Gothic Glam Lipstick in Revenge for a darker effect but I more often than not pair it with a purple-toned pink or a matte red shade.

Another palette that I like to use is the Kat Von D Ladybird True Romance Eyeshadow Palette, the shade Tur Elise is perfect for crease definition while Sugarpill Cold Chemistry has more shimmery options if you want more sparkle.
Do you switch up your everyday neutral eye? What are your “go-to” eyeshadows?

xox

Bloglovin | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Youtube

Monday 21 April 2014

Black Collar Crochet

uk fashion blog london OOTD

uk fashion blog london OOTD

uk fashion blog london OOTD

uk fashion blog london OOTD

uk fashion blog london OOTD

Top: Oasis
Trousers: Primark
Shoes: New Look
Eyeshadow: Urban Decay Naked Basics
Lipstick: Revlon Matte Balm Striking

Do you ever spot an item of clothing that you constantly think about and keep going back to look at, all the while trying to come up with a reason to justify it? That is what this top was for me. I must have looked at it on ASOS over 20 times and oooh-arrd over it in store on many occasions. The £35 price tag, although not expensive to some, is pretty steep for me who usually wont spend more than £20 on a top and even that’s pushing it. I have recently made a decision though, to invest in some good quality pieces for my wardrobe as I’m often plagued with the “I have nothing to wear” feeling. The top is a t-shirt fit with a black collar and lace overlay in a crochet style. It’s incredibly comfy and classier than your normal t-shirt, giving a more dressed up look without being too over the top. I paired it with faux leather trousers and my new heeled boots, which are actually really comfortable. I walked around London all day wearing them and didn’t have any pain. Our day consisted of visiting the Science Museum (Craig loved this so much), Harrods, a stroll through Kensington Gardens with a peek at the Peter Pan Statue as well as a ride on the London Eye, rounding it off with a meal at the Rainforest Cafe.

Remember to check out my London Photo Diary to see what we got upto!

xox

Bloglovin | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Youtube

Sunday 20 April 2014

Easter Nails: Spring Pastel Picks

easter nails beauty blog blush feathers lipstick

easter nails beauty blog blush feathers lipstick 3a

easter nails beauty blog blush feathers lipstick 2a

Not going to lie, I'm pretty boring when it comes to my nails. When I can be bothered to paint them I normally just stick with one solid colour, sometimes with a bit of glitter thrown on top. This weekend, seeing as it is Easter and spring has officially sprung, I though I would dig out my favourite pastel nail polishes. Some old favourites are the Barry M nail paints, they’re super affordable and come in a host of colours. My spring picks are Mint Green, Peach Melba and Blue Moon. They have recently released some pastel Gelly finishes which I’m really excited to try, as I love that collection. I sense a trip to Superdrug on the horizon. Some new favourites are these NARS beauties from the Pierre Hardy collection in Sharks Right (lavender) and Sharks Left (yellow), which I won in a contest last year. NARS are rapidly becoming one of my favourite brands, although quite pricey, what I have tried has been amazing quality. I might have just placed a sneaky Space NK order for some new NARS goodies….shhh…

This Easter weekend I’m unfortunately working in the evenings (gotta earn the pennies for the mass of online makeup orders I seem to be making this week), but I plan on spending my days scoffing chocolate, blogging and trying to get some university work done. It’s now the last stretch of my PGCE degree and naturally i have left everything until the last minuet. Typical me!
What are your plans this bank holiday weekend?

xox

Bloglovin | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Youtube

Wednesday 16 April 2014

Urban Decay Supercurl Mascara Review

urban decay supercurling mascara review 2

urban decay supercurling mascara review 3

urban decay supercurling mascara 3

I swear I always seem to have a constant supply of mascara minis, as soon as one finishes there is another to take its place. This does mean I try a lot of different ones and can easily identify what I love in a mascara. One such gem is the Urban Decay Supercurl Curling Mascara* which I received in an event goodie bag last year but have only just gotten around to trying. I had never heard anything about this product previously, heck I’d never even paid attention to Urban Decay mascaras. After cracking it out a few weeks ago I’ve worn nothing else. The packaging is sleek and fits in with Urban Decay’s signature style while the wand itself is curved to aid with application. I’ve found the formula is more on the wet side although not overly so that the lashes stick together in a clumpy mess and the added Shea Butter keeps lashes in great condition. Additionally, it really holds a curl well while not feeling too heavy. One of the main benefits of this mascara, along with its lengthening abilities, is that it does not move at all. I’ve worn this for 12 hours without it smudging or flaking off, the former of which I did experience with one of my other favourite mascaras Benefit They’re Real. It doesn't add as much volume as They’re Real, but i prefer more length as my lashes are pathetically short. At £15 it isn’t the cheapest, falling into the higher end category but personally mascaras last me 6 months as I don't add a tonne of coats, so I would rather invest in a Leaping Bunny approved product that I know works for me.

Pros: Lengthens, doesn't clump lashes together, doesn’t smudge at all, holds a curl, sleek packaging, cruelty free.
Cons: Expensive.

I must apologise for my messy application in the above picture. I had just taken off a bright makeup look and slapped this on quickly, as I was about to film a video. Oops! You can pick this up from Debenhams online and in store. Have you ever tried an Urban Decay Mascara?

xox

Bloglovin | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Youtube

*Product provided in an event goodie bag

Monday 14 April 2014

The Weekday Shirt

uk fashion blog london ootd

uk fashion blog london ootd

uk fashion blog london ootd

uk fashion blog london ootd

uk fashion blog london ootd

Top: Romwe
Trousers: Forever 21
Jacket: New Look
Shoes: New Look
Nails: Primark

For my trip to London last week I wanted to ditch my usual jeans, t-shirt and skate shoes attire for something a little more dressy but still comfy and casual. I couldn't resist picking up this top on Romwe the other month, it’s still casual yet has a smarter edge while the material is thin and loose making it perfect for spring. I wore it with some of the $7 jeans from Forever 21 which I picked up in New York last year and although they are mega comfy, if worn for more than one day they start to loose their shape (as can be seen in these pictures). I’m thinking its time I ditch my bargain buys and invest in a good quality pair of black skinny jeans. Any recommendations? To finish off I wore a pair of Brogues and a blazer style jacket for when it got a little chilly, both from New Look. My nails are also the glue on £1 ones from Primark, which are absolutely perfect for a city break. It saved me having to worry about nail polish chipping issues. On this particular day I had to get up rather early to head to my Visa appointment at the US embassy and got some joy out of joining the early morning work commuters on the underground. Gosh I love London. I’m totally going to make the move there at some point in the near future. For the rest of the day we kept it pretty chilled, taking a walk through Hyde Park, visiting Buckingham Palace and exploring the Natural History Museum.

It was also my boyfriend Craig’s first time taking some pictures for me, heck Its probably his first time taking photos in general. He doesn't even know how to use a compact or a camera phone! Although I think he got the hang of it after some guidance. I can make a budding photographer out of him yet! Well…maybe not… You can see abit of what we got up to during our trip in my London Photo Diary.

xox

Bloglovin | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Youtube

Sunday 13 April 2014

London Photo Diary April 2014

London photo diary 2014 blush feathers lipstick

wicked london photo diary

london photo diary 2014 beauty blog

london photo diary 2104 beauty blog

london photo diary 2104 beauty blog

london photo diary 2014 beauty blog

london photo diary 2104 beauty blog

london photo diary 2104 beauty blog

london photo diary 2104 beauty blog

london photo diary 2104 beauty blog

london photo diary 2104 beauty blog

These past few days me and my boyfriend Craig headed down to London to see Wicked and do a bit of exploring (aka persuading him to move to London with me in the near future). Originally we were meant to go to the Harry Potter Studio Tour, but silly us left booking it until the last minute and it sold out, darn Easter holidays. No matter, we had a lovely time! Wicked was amazing, it’s actually my favourite musical ever, although I don’t think anything will quite match up to when I saw it front row on Broadway. We did a few of the touristy things such as Buckingham Palace, Natural History Museum, Science Museum and The London Eye, took a stroll through Hyde Park and visited Harrods. I’ve been to London quite a few times, as I lived alot closer when I was in Southampton, but I have never actually done any proper sightseeing. Also, can you believe I never actually did any shopping on this trip? The only things I got were a Wicked tshirt, Wicked program and some Teapigs tea. It’s a first that's for sure.

Additionally, I’m seriously nursing a rather large food baby after the past few days, I ate so much! I don’t know what came over me, it was like SEE FOOD NEED FOOD! At least i got to scoff lots of yummy treats. One of the highlights was eating at the Rainforest Cafe on Shaftsbury Avenue. It just reminded me of the one in Downtown Disney and gave me so many feels. The food was delicious and it was a lot quieter/calmer than the one in Florida. Heck it was even quiet for London and was a great ending to our trip.

Where is your favourite place to eat in London? Have you seen Wicked?

xox

Bloglovin | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Youtube

Wednesday 9 April 2014

Sally Hansen Advanced Hard As Nails Strengthener Review

sally hansen hard as nails

For years I have suffered with weak nails, they are so bendy and split at the corners constantly. After a friend of mine recommended Sally Hansen Hard as Nails, I picked up the advanced formula from Bodycare. The Nylon formula claims to help strengthen and protect nails against chipping, splitting and breaking while protecting against daily hazards. While using this my nails do feel stronger, although it hasn't made much difference to the long term condition. I generally use this as a base/top coat, and while I haven't noticed it making my nail polish last considerably longer, I can really tell that it worked to stop my nails from bending and breaking off. I do like it but I doubt I would repurchase in future as I’m trying my best to only buy cruelty free products, as difficult as it is to distinguish between brands, I’m trying my best! Although if this was cruelty free, i would probably buy it again.

Pros: Clear formula, dries fast, stops breakage, stops nails from bending, can double up as a top/base coat, affordable.
Cons: Smells really bad, can chip off if you use too many coats, not cruelty free.

What’s your favourite nail treatment?

xox

Bloglovin | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Youtube

Tuesday 8 April 2014

The Game of Thrones Tag

game of thrones tag

Seeing as my favourite TV show came back this weekend, I thought I would do the Game of Thrones Tag to get myself all excited for the upcoming season. It’s one of my all time favourite franchises! Just everything about it, from the characters to the lore are thrilling while this season (i hope) is set up to be the best yet. As a devoted fan to the books, so many exciting and unexpected things are going to happen which had me on the edge of my seat. Don’t worry, I wont give away any spoilers but believe me, you’re going to love season 4!

1. How did you discover the series/book?
2. Who is your favourite house apart from the Starks and Lannisters?
3. Who is your favourite character from the House of Stark?
4. Who is your favourite character from the House of Lannister?
5. Who is your favourite character?
6. Who is your least favourite character?
7. What are your thoughts about the series/book?
8. If you could be one of the characters who would you be and why?
9. What is your favourite episode/season?
10. Who is your Game of Thrones crush?
11. What are you most looking forward to in the upcoming season/book?

I would love to see your Game of Thrones tags so tweet me or leave a comment if you have done it!
Do you watch Game of Thrones? Have you read the books? What is your favourite house?

xox

Bloglovin | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Youtube

Monday 7 April 2014

My Beauty Bad Habits

my beauty bad habits blush feathers lipstick 1

We all have bad habits, especially when it comes to beauty. I am totally guilty of committing some of the most common, I know its naughty but I just cant help it! Although, I’m proud so say that not removing my makeup at night isn’t one of them. I’m pretty dedicated to doing that *airpunch*.

Not washing my makeup brushes often enough has to be at the top of the list. I hate admitting how long it is since my brushes had their last wash…let’s just say it falls closers to months rather than weeks. I know I should set some time aside every Sunday for brush laundry, I just don't! To be fair, I do tend to wash my Real Techniques Stipple and Real Techniques Powder brushes more than any other… not often enough though… but I'm trying to make myself feel less guilty over here!

Removing chipped nail polish is another thing I fail at. Recently, more often than not when I apply nail polish I will just leave it for weeks, letting it chip off of its own accord. That’s probably down to my own laziness. Heck, not looking after my nails in general is a bad habit of mine. It’s rare that I will clip, file or moisturise my cuticles. Oops.

Eyebrows are another thing I should get on the ball with, as I hate messy brows. Although, I always seem to find myself waiting until they have grown out into one big mess, before I go and get them threaded. Luckily they are quite fair so you cant really tell too much but its something that really frustrates me but I just never get them done on time!

Not using body moisturiser has been a lifelong struggle let me tell you. I only use it on my legs after shaving, and I only need to do that every week (I love being blessed with fair slow growing body hair). It’s just so much faffing around. Sure I go through phases or if i have an important occasion coming up I will, but on a day to day basis I just cant be bothered with the hassle. Forever a lazy person.

What are your Beauty Bad Habits?

xox

Bloglovin | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Youtube

Friday 4 April 2014

Tomorrowland: Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom Inspired Makeup Series

walt disney world tomorrowland inspired makeup
There’s a great, big, beautiful tomorrow. Shining at the end of every day…Oh Tomorrowland, not one of my favourites I must admit, but this galactic spaceport themed land hosts not only immensely popular ride Space Mountain, but classic Disney Park gems such as the Carousel of Progress and the PeopleMover. It’s not everyone’s cup of tea, but I adore Carousel of Progress, especially as it provides a great respite from the searing Florida heat. That theme tune is just so darn catchy too! The ice cream at Auntie Gravity’s is to die for while it’s always worth a stop at the Dance Party held in an area dubbed Club 626, to have a boogie with your favourite characters. I have fond memories of dancing along to Carly Rae whats-her-face with my friends there!

tomorrowland inspired makeup look 4
tomorrowland inspired makeup look
tomorrowland inspired makeup look 8
tomorrowland inspired makeup look 6
For this look i wanted to stick with a futuristic metallic theme, using Sugarpill Tiara on the lid while blending Urban Decay’s Radium and Evidence into the crease. Annoyingly the pictures show the colours as being more muted that they are in life. Trust me that it’s actually alot bolder and brighter. I’m not really sure about the lashes, although the blue strips in them are pretty cool!

Face
Inglot Primer, Illamasqua Skin Base 02, Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer in Fair, Fyrinnae Loose Powder, NARS Laguna Bronzer, NARS Boys Don't Cry Blush.

Eyes
UDPP, Sugarpill Tako, Sugarpill Tiara, Urban Decay Radium, Urban Decay Evidence, Urban Decay Venus, Collection Felt Tip Liner, Urban Decay 24/7 Pencil in Zero, Barry M White Kohl, Urban Decay Supercurl Mascara, HD Brow kit in Foxy, MJ Mix Blue and Black Luxuriant Eyelashes-310*

Lips
Revlon Colourburst Lacquer Balm in Vivacious

Remember to check out Sam’s looks on her blog!
What is your favourite ride in tomorrowland?

xox


Wednesday 2 April 2014

Book Review: The Divergent Trilogy

_DSC0080edit2

Today I’m having a go at doing something a little different in the form of a book review. I adore reading. I can easily get through 5 books a week and can always be found glued to my kindle or with a paper book in my hands. A few months ago i came across the Divergent trilogy, and seeing as the film will be out soon I thought I would re-read it and do my first book review. I’m going to try and not reveal any major spoilers and instead focus on the general feeling of the trilogy, how it was written and how the characters developed.

The story is set in a dystopian Chicago where society is split into five factions; Candor, the honest who must never tell lies, Dauntless, the brave and fearless, Erudite, the intelligent who are forever seeking knowledge, Amity, the peaceful and forgiving and Abnegation, the selfless who must always put others needs before their own. It is from Abnegation, that our Heroine Beatrice Prior hails from. At aged 16, all citizens take a test that determines which faction they are best suited too, followed by the choosing ceremony where they will choose whether they are to stay with the faction they were born into or transfer to another. For our heroine, her test results were inconclusive, her traits not demonstrating those of just any one faction. This anomaly is rare and only seen amongst a few. It’s classification? Divergent. Subsequently, she transfers into Dauntless and reinvents herself as Tris, keeping her Divergence hidden for her own safety.

The first book revolves around life as an initiate and really develops the character of Tris. Her transformation from a scared young girl into a badass woman is successfully carried out while I found no difficulty in connecting with her. Throughout, there are bits of action, angst and even romance, although the real action doesn't start until nearer the end. The trilogy takes on a “Hunger Games-esque” style, with the breaking down of a restrictive society, in the form of factions. I actually really like the faction aspect and kind of slightly resent the absolution of them in the end, even though they’re perceived as a negative. Unfortunately, I don't think the second and third books live up to the first. The story ran at an erratic pace while her relationship with Four became frustratingly annoying. Furthermore, I didn't feel much of a connection with the additional characters introduced, only really being too bothered about Tris and Four. Despite this, I did really enjoy the series and would really recommend it to anyone who is into the sci-fi and fantasy genres.

Now a major motion picture, the first instalment Divergent stormed the US box offices this month taking the number one slot, while its UK release on April 4th draws ever closer. I for one am mega excited for the film and shall be dragging the boyfriend to see it as soon as its released.

Have you read the series? Are you excited to see the film?

xox

Bloglovin | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Youtube

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...