Bloglovin

So I always have people message me on Twitter asking if I have Bloglovin and until people asked the answer was no. I decided to give it a shot, so I'm now on Bloglovin. 

I'm still pretty new to it so I'm not 100% sure how it works so be patient and give me a little time till I fully understand how to use it! 

<a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/14554625/?claim=jean4m5tqrp">Follow my blog with Bloglovin</a>

Xoxo

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Blogmas?

This year I thought I'd take part in Blogmas. Now I know we're only half way through November, but I thought I'd do a post on it now so I can prepare and plan ahead!

Seeing as I've never done anything like this, planning early is definitely a good idea and it means when it comes to starting Blogmas I'll actually know what I'm doing rather than winging it. I'm a massive fan of Christmas so I'm super excited to be taking part in Blogmas this year! I shall be planning and preparing from now till my first Blogmas post on December 1st which gives me plenty of time to decide what I'll be posting and on which day. 

I think I'll be posting everyday till Christmas, and then on Christmas Day I'll be writing a 'what I got for Christmas'. I have been thinking of some ideas and I'll be writing down any ideas which come to mind leading up to December, this way I'll be prepared for my first Blogmas and then the rest should just follow. There will be some DIYs which I will be writing before they're meant to be posted as I work full time so they will have to be done on my days off, which means lots of craft making and baking! 

I will probably be posting in the evening but if it happens to be a DIY then I'll post it in the moring.

I cannot wait for Blogmas and I hope you get just as excited as I do for these posts and to read these posts, I know I can't wait to see what other bloggers write!

Xoxo

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My favourite autumn/fall lipsticks

This was very hard for me to narrow down as I love all sorts of lipsticks this time of the year, but I decided to share my favourites- and yes, they're all dark! I love a dark lip this time of the year, including winter so I wanted to share my favourites with you.

My first favourite is a classic. I mean I think nearly every girl on this planet has this colour. Yes I'm talking about MAC's rebel! This is such a gorgeous deep purple shade and is one I only tend to wear with a simple eye look- don't want too much going on with my face. It's a satin finish so glides onto the lips perfectly!nI wore it to work once and it wasn't wearing how it normally does on me. It was sort of a very vibrant purple shade which didn't suit me at all so I had to wipe it off! I'm not 100% sure why it did that and I've been too scared to wear it since, but its still a classic and I love it all the same. 

Another favourite is the most gorgeous burgundy shade ever! It's divine wine by Maybelline. This is a matte lipstick, but it is so creamy and glides on like a dream. The colour pay off is amazing and it's a drugstore brand so is very affordable. I was looking for a burgundy shade for ages as last year I wore rebel and that was it. This year I wanted to try other colours too, so I thought I'd give this colour a go after hearing everyone rave about it. I am so happy I brought this shade as it's just amazing!

Recently I discovered the soft matte lip creams from NYX. I've been so excited to try these that I brought 4 in total. I got 2 softer colours for more of an everyday wear, including the autumn/fall and winter months. I picked up Copenhagen and Transylvania for this time of the year and honestly I'm glad I did! Copenhagen is a wonderful deep red colour and it applies smoothly onto the lips, but I would advise giving your lips a little scrub with something like mint julep from lush and then applying lipbalm.. #drylipprobs! Transylvania is more of a deep purple colour. As I wasn't able to swatch this till I brought it, I'm unsure of the colour. But I'll make it work! It's still a gorgeous shade whether I wear it or not.

My last favourite lipstick, is New York Apple by MAC. I picked this up in Selfridge's (I'm planning on visiting again and never leaving!) back in July for my birthday. It's a red shade without being too red or too burgundy. It's just in the middle and is perfect for all year round. I'm so glad I picked this up, it's a frost finish. It has just the right amount of frost to it and gives off an amazing sheen. It feels amazing on the lips and the sheen it gives just adds that something else. I've never noticed it before in my local MAC stores but I'm glad my eyes were drawn to it!

MAC lipsticks are probably my all time favourite lipsticks because of the formula and the smell.. I could eat them! I wont, but I could. They have such a sweet smell that any other lipstick I own smells really chemically. The formula is amazing, they're so creamy and moisturising and don't slide around the lips. The matte ones are especially my favourite as they don't dry your lips out!

Xoxo

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'Everyday' autumn/fall makeup

I say 'everyday' as it sometimes changes, depending on how much time I have in the morning and if I'm going anywhere on my day off.

I always start with a primer. At the moment I'm currently trying out the babyskin from Maybelline and the fix + perfect from Rimmel. I've been using the benefit porefessional since it first came out, but lately I haven't been enjoying it as much as I used too. when I use the porefessional, I find it leaves a greasy feeling on my face and my foundation slides around. I'm planning on doing a review once I tested them out.

After I use a primer, I apply my foundation. I switch between the Vichy dermablend in 15 opal and the No7 essentially natural in calico. There are a couple of reasons why I switch between the two, one being that if the other woman on No7 who I work with says my skin looks good, I can't say 'oh it's not one of our products', and the same goes for if customers ask too. Another reason is that if my skin is playing up real bad, the dermablend gives more coverage without being caked on, whereas my essentially natural looks caked on as its only a light/medium coverage. On my days off, I tend to wear the dermablend more as I'm not in work so I can wear my makeup however I want! After I have applied my foundation, I use a face powder. The face powder I'm using at the moment is the No7 perfect light loose powder in translucent. I'm really liking this powder as a little goes a long way and it helps to keep me matte for most of the day. After I have set my foundation, I use my hoola bronzer by benefit to contour my cheekbones slightly to give my face some definition, as having a matte base can make the face look flat. Recently I purchased the sleek blusher in flushed- as part of my Halloween makeup look thanks to Roxxsaurus (I fell in love with the look she did for Halloween and she used that blusher as an eye shadow colour so I had to buy it!) Its a great shade for the autumn and winter months as it gives a healthy glow to the skin.

Once my face makeup is complete, I move onto my eyes. To prime my eyes, I use the urban decay primer potion. I haven't got the original one, I use the tightening and brightening primer but I'm considering buying the original as the one I use now makes my shadows crease. After applying primer, I use my NXY jumbo pencil in milk. I use a white base first so it creates an even base and it helps the colours I'll be using to pop and stand out more. I blend this in with a real techniques brush then use my finger to apply the kiko metallic shine eye shadow in 02 absolutely rose. This is a gorgeous colour and its great for everyday wear. I pat this on my lid with my ring finger as this gives the best colour pay off. After I have applied the eye shadow, I run a dark brown colour through my crease to darken it up. Depending on how I'm feeling and how much time I have in the morning for work, I use the L'Oreal perfect slim liner to line my lash line. I can't do a winged liner but on my days off, I do attempt to do a wing and it never turns out right, but I will keep practicing! If I've applied the eyeliner, I will set it with a black eye shadow as I have oily lids, but if I don't use the eyeliner I just move straight onto mascara. The mascara I use is the dramatic lift from No7. I love this mascara! It gives the look of wide awake eyes, it curls the lashes and adds weightless volume. Now I'm all about volume when it comes to mascara as I have really long lashes, so any mascara I find which gives me fuller looking lashes I'm all for. I apply a couple of coats and I've completed my makeup look.

I will sometimes wear lipstick but most of the time I use a lip balm which adds colour to the lips. As its autumn/fall, I love a dark lip! I especially love rebel by MAC, Copenhagen by NYX and Transylvania by NYX. These are perfect for this time of the year and tie the look together. At work I either wear the lip balm or one of our newest nude shades (Tawny Rose). This is a brownish nude shade, but isn't too brown as has a hint of pink to it.o brought a kiko lipstick which is also a nude shade and I switch it up to wearing that sometimes too. 

I will be posting swatches of the lipsticks, kiko lipstick and the eye shadow on my Instagram so make sure you're following me to check it out. 

Xoxo

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Bluewater haul

When I normally go shopping, I buy loads of makeup and that's it. Today was different. I actually brought clothes which I haven't done in months! 

I went into Zara and decided I needed a new pair of jeans as my current jeans have a hole in them- my bum has defiantly grown since I got them. Both of the back pockets have split and I have now been left with two holes. I ended up getting two pairs because why not? I chose a black pair, as you can never have too many black jeans and some denim ones, as my other denim pair are getting too tight and I fear the same may happen to them with the holes. I love Zara jeans! They're so comfy and fit me really well. I struggle with other stores as a size 8 (UK) may be too small, so I'll try on a size 10 and they'll be massive, whereas at Zara an 8 is perfect! 

Before we actually started shopping we went for lunch. Whilst we were walking to the food court, I noticed they'd opened a kiko store! This made me very happy, but then I realised that I hadn't been to Bluewater since it opened! I couldn't believe it as I didn't even know they were opening a store there. After lunch we looked in there. I was super excited and surprised as I thought it would have been expensive. I couldn't decide what to pick, but in the end I chose the metallic shine eyeshadow in shade 02 and the intensely lavish lipstick in shade 01. I could have brought more but I had to stop myself. 

We then went into boots and I brought the sleek blush in flushed as I saw it in Youtuber Roxxsaurus vampire tutorial (which I'm copying on Saturday for work). It's a beautiful shade and it's perfect for this time of year. I also picked up the new No7 nail polish in soft truffle. It's a gorgeous nude shade. 

I went into H&M and found a top I reall yes liked. This is rare as I'm not a massive fan of H&M. It's just a simple, plain everyday tee. I wish I had got it in black too but my mum said she had something similar to it in black- I'll still be getting it in black! 

The last store we looked in was next. I love next and they've done the shop up so it looks 100x better. I wasn't too bothered about looking at the clothes- I needed to replace my watch. I brought one at the beginning of the year and the strap has just broken. I decided to go for a thicker strap and a neutral colour. My old one was pink, so I would only wear it at work, whereas I can wear my new one with anything as its black. It also said the strap was leather so it should last longer too! 

I will have swatches and a review of the kiko makeup up soon, so make sure to check it out! 

Xoxo

P.s. I changed my Instagram name! I had enough courage to do it and not care what people say! 

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Family wedding makeup and outfit

Last Friday, Ollie's cousin got married. Now we didn't go to the actual wedding itself as there are a crazy amount of cousins in Ollie's family, but we went to the reception in the evening. It was a bit up and down if we were going- Ollie originally said yes before someone reversed into his car, but luckily his sister and brother-in-law said we could borrow the work van, so we ended up going. I was super excited but really nervous at the same time as I was meeting most of his family. 

I brought the dress a few weeks back as I fell in love instantly with it. I had been eyeing it up for months but couldn't justify buying a Ted Baker dress for £139 as I don't go to places fancy enough to wear a dress like that. Ollie told me we were going and now I had the perfect excuse to splash the cash!

For my makeup I started with the nenefit porefessional primer. In my Youbeauty discovery box this month I got a sample of the Vichy dermablend. Normally when foundation samples are sent, the never match me, but this seemed to be a perfect match. The shade is 15 opal, and blended with my skin so naturally. I'm going to try it a few more times but I'm really impressed. 

I set my foundation with the No7 perfect light loose powder. I know the pressed powder would be easier for on the go, but I ran out so quickly last time that I thought going with a loose powder would be better, as it'll last longer and I can 'bake' my under eye concealer too. To contour I used the contour stick from the smashbox contour stick trio. This gives a natural contour and featured in my September favourites. I went over the top of the contour with benefits hoola bronzer. 

I highlighted under my eyes and down the bridge of my nose with the Nars creamy concealer in Chantilly- which also features in my September favourites. I baked my concealer whilst I preped my eyes. 

I started with Urban Decays primer potion and went over the top with my Mac paint pot in painterly. 

I brushed away the excess powder from under my eyes and pressed the brush over the paint pot to set it before applying my eye shadows. I have really oily kids and this helps to stop them from creasing. 

Before I did my eyeshadow, I filled my brows in with the soap and glory brow archery pencil. I brush through my brows with the brush on the other end. 

For shadows, I chose the Urban Decay Smoky Palette. I've been loving this palette and creating different eye looks with it. I started with Bobbi Brown's woodrose as a transition shade and then applied radar all over the lid. Using a pencil brush, I applie whiskey in the crease and blended it out with a big fluffy brush. I went back in with whiskey on the same pencil brush and applied more to the crease to darken it up. 

I did this a number of times till I reached the desired intensity. I then swept whatever was left on the pencil brush in my lower lash line. 

As a brow bone and inner corner highlight, I used high. This shade is so pink and so sparkly, perfect for a brow bone highlight! 

I applied a couple coats of too faced better than sex mascara. I was going to wear falsies but 1) I haven't quite mastered it. I mean I can apply them but it takes like half an hour before they're on right and 2) I left them at home- oops! 

Anyway better than sex makes it appear like I have falsies on when I don't (I had a woman at work ask if they were my real lashes and I told her yes and that it was too faced better than sex mascara- to which she laughed!) 

I realised after applying my mascara, I hadn't put any highlighter in, so I rummaged through my makeup bag and found my No7 instant radiance highlighter. This looks very pink but once blended in, it looks natural and gorgeous. I applied it to my cheekbones and blended it out with my finger. 

Once the whole of my makeup had been applied, I sprayed the Makeup Revolution oil control fixing spray- check out my review! Just before we left, I used the Lush mint julep sugar scrub, then applied the Burt's bees mango lip balm. I let that soak in for a few minutes and pat the rest in with my finger. I used Mac Mehr lipstick as it's not too dramatic! 

We had a great time, even though the drinks were a tad over priced. It was lovely meeting everyone and I can't wait to see them all again! 

Xoxo 

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Beauty haul

I've been collecting a few beauty items for a while now and some I have done posts about already, but I wanted to do a haul and I had written those posts before I collected enough items. Some are old loves and some are new discoveries. 

My old loves include the body shop seaweed pore-cleansing facial exfoliator. I briefly touched on this in my skincare routine. This exfoliator is great. It does as says and cleanses the pores. I notice the blackheads I have start becoming not less and less visible. It cleanses them amazingly and I have gone back to using it, and I'm glad I have! 

Another old love is the garnier micellar water. I tried this when it first came out and I'm glad I did. As soon as j start running low, I stick up! It takes seconds to remove my makeup and it's so easy! I repurchased the exfoliator a few weeks back and the micellar water a couple of months back- which triggered the 'haul'. 

Some new discoveries have been found within the past month, one being last week! As you've probably seen, I'm obsessing over the makeup revolution oil control fixing spray. Now as I have a full review in this product, I won't go into too much detail, but I will mention that when I don't use this, I am one big, oily mess!! 

Another discovery for me- even though it's been out for some time is the Urban Decay smoky palette. The colour pay off for these shadows is great and they blend so easily. The palette is featuring in a 'get ready with me' post and should be up within the next day or too! 

This foundation I discovered was an accident. Normally foundation samples are WAY too dark for me- #paleprobs, but the Vichy dermablend foundation I received in my Youbeauty discovery box in the shade 15 opal (I wear NW13 in mac studio fix fluid, calico in No7, 01 in Clinique and N1 in L'oreal true match.. For those of you who're interested in colour matching) is spot on! It's my colour, it's not too orange it too pink and has great coverage. I used the sample in my get ready post and fell in love. I'll be posting a review on it soon as I brought the full size today. 

These will be repurchased when I run out! 

If there are any products you recommend, let me know! I'm always on the look out for new products to try and review. 

Xoxo

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