Styling Simple | Forever 21 wishlist

As you're reading this post today, I am currently living it up in Birmingham shopping my little heart out (unless of course you're not reading this on Sunday, then watch out because Haul Video will be up soon!). One of the shops I'm most excited about going to is Forever 21. For ages now, I've had a huge style crush on everything and anything from this store and since I heard of it's flagship opening in the UK, I've been obsessed with getting to one. I'm not a fan of shopping online - I like to get a feel for the clothes and try them on first, for me, trying on and sending back if it doesn't fit / suit when bought online is just such a pain. I've been trawling the Forever 21 website for some ideas of what to look for tomorrow and I've picked out the above three looks for inspiration!

Laid Back Tee / Ripped Jeans

I love this look. It's so simple and yet so chic and effortless at the same time. I've always wanted to have such a staple slouch/smart look like this and this t-shirt is one that i'll definitely be looking out for today. I especially love this colour, Autumn is just around the corner and I am totally obsessed with the mustard yellows and burgundies that come along with it. I cannot wait to be wearing an outfit like this with boots and my Gillet!

Flirty Dress

Again, I'm loving dresses more and more recently - no matter the weather, I love whacking on a pair of leggings and a cardigan on top. This dress is the perfect dress to turn from work smart to night time attire. I love flirty, flippy dresses and this one is just the style I'll be looking for today!

Chunky Knit Cardigan

I need this cardigan in my life. Not only does it look the perfect size for what I'm looking for, but it looks so cosy and like it would work really well with a lot of different outfit combinations. It's always great to have that one statement piece that you can work throughout your wardrobe and if I can find this baby on my shop today, I'll be a very happy lady! 

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Feeling Femfresh*

In the past, I've heard the words 'FemFresh' and completely and utterly just cringed. I think most of us do. It's just a natural thing to be 'ooh er, no we don't talk about that'. I think because of this, products like those in the 'FemFresh' range can often get over looked. I've tried a couple of the brands products now and honestly think 'why did I ever think this was embarrassing'. FemFresh isn't a brand you should be 'scared' of. They do amazing body washes, like the ones pictured above which are demagogically tested and matched to natural PH levels for an 'intimate' wash. Believe me, Nothing gets to me like the word intimate when we're talking about washing. It's all a bit of a, 'I don't think I should be putting bubbles near there' kind of situation, however these body washes are designed to wash your entire body and they don't mess around with the natural workings of your lady regions. (Ha get me talking about lady regions on my blog!) In short, I absolutely love these body washes and think they have a great mixture of show-gel type concoctions along with body cremes, which personally I prefer. My favourite has to be Ultimate Care, Soothing Wash* They feel so soothing and really do hydrate your skin too. They just need to be raved about!

Don't shy away from brands with intimidating names ladies, FemFresh is one that should be known and loved! You can buy any of the above body washes here from £3.59

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Brand Lovin' | Esprit

Finding new brands is one of my favourite things. Recently I've been introduced to Esprit by Eltoria, a brand originated in the US in the late 1960s. I absolutely love the whole feel of Esprit and their clothes are absolutely to die for! I love their laid-back style and how their clothes look so chic and yet comfortable and almost effortless at the same time. Below, I've complied a couple of my favourite pieces after a browse on their website, which you can find here.

Their dresses are some that I'd love to get my hands on, especially the sequinned, strapless number below. It looks like the perfect party dress and the way they have styled it on the website with the relaxed side plait, just makes it look so much more desirable and easy going. I'm also obsessed with some of their accessories. The rose gold watch below is absolutely stunning and something that I'd definitely wear, it's something that I'm needing in my life after lusting after it on the web page for so long!

Esprit is a brand that definitely knows what they're doing when it comes to style. They've got everything a girl would need and all of their pieces seem like they would be so easy to style, up or down! They have a fabulous range of clothing, accessories and footwear and it's something that you should not be missing out on. To me, they also look like amazing value for money. Okay, they're not as cheap as some places like Primark, but who would want something this gorgeous, knowing that it could break within seconds? At Esprit, quality definitely seems like it is key and you know you're definitely getting quality when you input your details and click 'complete' on your shopping cart order. 

You can find all of the pieces I've mentioned above and some more amazing buys at their website.

Have you heard of Esprit before?

What are your favourite pieces from the brand?

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Night Time Skincare Routine | Youtube Video

I finally took the time this weekend to film my Night time Skincare Routine. I really hope you like it as it's taken me so long to edit and put together! Let me know in the comments of this post / my video  what other kind of videos you'd like me to do next - I've absolutely loved filming this one and with my new camera coming soon, I'd love to get some more done!

Products used in this Video:

Simple Kind to Eyes, Eye Makeup Remover | 
http://www.boots.com/en/Simple-Kind-T...

Montagne Jeunesse Face Mask | 
http://www.boots.com/en/Montagne-Jeun...

Clarins One Step Gentle Exfoliating Cleanser |*
http://www.clarins.co.uk/one-step-gen...

Clarins Toning Lotion with Camomile |*
http://www.clarins.co.uk/toning-lotio...

Lush Tea Tree Water |
https://www.lush.co.uk/products/tea-t...

BareMinerals Active Cell Renewal Night Serum |
http://www.bareminerals.co.uk/Active-...

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August Glossybox | Mini Reviews

After finally indulging in the luxury that is a beauty subscription box every month, with my first Birchbox a couple of months ago, I thought it was about time to start up a second subscription and see what all the fuss was about with the GlossyBox. I've been pleasantly surprised with my BirchBox and after a lot of 'umm-ing and ar-ing', finally decided to take the plunge.  A little comment quickly on the packaging, how cute is it?! I love the size of the box as it's perfect for storage and also, the cute little bow just makes it feel so much more like a present - so cute!

Kryolan for GlossyBox | Highligher Cashmere | £12.95 

I've honestly never tried cream highlighters, I think the closest I've come is Benefit's 'High Beam' which is a liquid. This gorgeous cream highlight from Kryolan is simply lovely. I don't know how else to describe it. It has a 'melt to the touch' feel and blends really nicely onto the skin. I've used this a couple of times since I've received my GlossyBox this month and each time I've had a really natural glow to my finished makeup look. As directed, I've been using this on my cheek bones and also occasionally on my brow bone for a complete finish look. 

Figs & Rouge | Mini Hand Cream | £3.95

Enriched with Shea Butter and natural antioxidants this hand cream is so soft and silky. I was sent 'Rose Berry' and my God, I don't think I've ever smelt something so incredible. It has some great rose scents but also, smells just like Strawberry Maoams. Anything sweetie scented has the thumbs up in my books! Not only that, but once massaged into my hands they feel smooth and nourished. Definitely think this one is up there with the likes of Soap and Glory's Hand Food, or dare I say it - better?

Yves Rocher | Pink Nail Polish | £3.60

I'm always a fan of finding new nail polishes. This baby / musky pink is a gorgeous colour and is so easy to apply. The lacquer isn't too thin or too thick and applies easily with a couple of brush movements. I also found that within one coat, I didn't need to apply more. It was perfectly opaque with just the one! It hasn't chipped so far (three days and a lot of typing later) which I think is pretty damn impressive! Yves Rocher is a brand I've only tried once before with a lipstick and so to branch out more into the brand with this nail polish has been great, I can't wait to try more of their products. 

Philip Kingsley | Elasticizer | £15

A pre-shampoo is something I've never heard of before - have I been living under a rock?! I've only tried this once, but have really loved the results (whether they're the purpose intended ones or not). My hair feels softer and looks shinier after a treatment and wash with this and I've also noticed a slight bounce to my hair (having dead straight hair this is always something I strive for). I wouldn't say that this product was worth it just yet, but I'm hoping with one or two more uses, i'll begin to see a bit more of a difference. Perhaps it's because I've got such long hair, but for me, the 'elasticity' really wasn't seen too much.

All That Jazz | Cuticle Balm | £11.99

Cuticle Balm is again, something I've never tried before. I suffer with quite dry and brittle nails and my cuticles are quite rough because of this. I haven't tried this product as of yet, but I'm hoping it'll work some wonders for me. It looks great and the  Apple and Cucumber scented one that I received smells absolutely amazing. 

Have you ever had a beauty subscription box? Do you think they're worth it? 

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Review | Clarins Eye Quartet Mineral Palette*

I have to say, when this utterly gorgeous gold-mirrored palette arrived in a package with my name on I did a little dance. Clarins haven't been a brand that I've been too familiar with before now; like I mentioned in my previous fragrance review here, I've never really given them a chance in the past. I think as a brand, the packaging never enticed me and I've never known the saying 'never judge a book by it's cover' to be more true. Clarins is quickly becoming one of my favourite brands in all areas. 

Eye Quartet Mineral Palette | £32

Firstly, the packaging for this product is just devine. The gold-mirrored effect of the outer casing is just lovely and really gives a classy feel to it. It's also perfect for an on-the-go mirror! I love that this also comes with a red velvet carry pouch, it's a great way to keep the mirror shining and free of grubby fingerprints. It also looks so elegant and makes the product feel that much more special. Silly, I know, but for us girls that take pride in our makeup, this is a lovely additional touch. 

The eyeshadows themselves are gorgeous dusty browns with the tiniest of shimmer. I really really like the fact that the shimmer is minimal, because I often think too much of a shimmer can ruin a look. There are four shades (pictured below) and they all compliment each other perfectly. The lovely Clarins people also include a mini 'how-to' guide card within the packaging, meaning that it's simple to work these colours together for a gorgeous smokey look. They say colour 1 is best for the main body of the eye lid, with number 2 shaded out towards the outer corner and 3 within the crease and outer corner. Number 4 is supposed to be used as a highlight below the brow and within the inner corner of the eye. I tried this myself and it looked really effective - always a definite must-do when tutorials are included! 

The longevity of these eyeshadows is lovely, with a spot of primer, these lasted most of the day before starting to fade away. For a girl working 8 hours straight this is a definite must! I also found that they have a lovely colour pay-off; they're really well pigmented and with primer have a great smokey effect when blended together. The colours also work really well as individual shadow bases and in different combinations. I've found myself jumping to use 4 within my inner corner and number 2 blended to my outer corner for a simple morning look if I'm in a rush and it's just as effective.

Clarins do lovely eyeshadows and this is something that I'd definitely recommend. At £32 for a quad, it's not the cheapest out there, but with these I think you're definitely paying for quality as well as the brand name. I've been really impressed with this product and will definitely be looking into the rest of their makeup range soon!

You can purchase the Clarins Eye Quartet Mineral Palette* here. 

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Back To School | Top 5 | Stationary Hoards

Back to school means one thing and one thing only. Heading to Paper Chase, WHSmith and the like for some serious stationary shopping. Like many of you out there, I am a girl with a serious obsession for stationary. I feel like if there was a self-help group for stationary hoarders like there was for drug addicts or shopaholics, I'd be top of the roster. Does anyone else get that crazy jolt of excitement every time they see a shiny new notebook or a fancy folder? I know I do. 

Take a peep at my top 5 must haves for back to school shopping below! 

Jack Wills Pencil Case - £9.50

I have a real obsession with the colours of Jack Wills items. The classic Navy Blue and baby Pink is such a lovely contrast and the material of this pencil case is just lovely. Nice and sturdy and so pretty to put your pens in to! A little pricey for a pencil case at £9.50 but also such a great investment as you know it's not going to rip and tear at the last minute. 

PaperChase Flexi iKat Notebook - £8

Paperchase is a place with such excitement for me and this year is no different, their new notebooks have the cutest designs and I absolutely love this new distorted zig-zag pattern - a weakness of mine must be the navy and pink together! I love the quality of the fabric covers and the sewn binding on these notebooks too, perfect for stuffing all of your notes in and getting a good flexible hold.

FiloFax Willow Pocket Organiser - £28

I have always wanted a Filofax. I am completely, 100% one of those organisational freaks that absolutely loves to plan and schedule. You should see my calendar at work - full of appointments and reminders! FiloFaxes, however, are rather pricey. At £28, it's not your average diary kinda price. I think this would be the perfect accessory for the start of Uni and I just only wish I was going to justify splashing out the dough on one of these bad boys!

Wilko Sticky Planning Notes - £1

I am completely in love with these sticky notes, I actually have a packet sat on my desk that get used daily. They're so fun, quirky and efficient and I cannot get over how useful they are. The handy sizes and useful memo notes are brilliant for quickly sticking on things you need to remember or notify yourself of. I love how they also still have the capability for you to write small notes on too. At £1 these are a steal! 

Staedtler Triplus Fineliners Assorted Pack - £10.99

I actually have a packet of these as well. I'm not going to lie, I pinched them from the stationary cupboard at work and they've been in my desk drawer ever since. It's a rare, but lovely moment when I get to whip these out and make me to-do lists all pretty! Again, it could be a bit of a steep prices for students, but who doesn't love coloured pens? They have such a great nib and are perfect for drawing spider diagrams and flow charts for revision! 

What are your stationary must haves for back to school / uni?

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Healthy Living | Simple Home Exercises - ABS

Changing your mindset on exercise and eating healthily can be a big challenge. I know, for me, it took a lot of things to happen in my life for me to realise that I wasn't happy with how I looked or felt. I was eating everything and anything (mostly the unhealthy stuff) and was coming home from work to sit in front of my Macbook and TV and do nothing else. I think it comes to a point where you finally realise what you're putting into your body. After almost everything I ate, I felt sluggish and horrible and it was getting me down. With splitting with my boyfriend, I decided to make the change. It was the kind of 'I'm always going to end up feeling this way if I don't do anything about it' reality check that I needed to give myself.  And it worked... 

Source

My gym membership, (you know the fancy expensive one that I bought myself and my dad back in January) finally started getting some proper use and I was training almost always 7 days a week. Now, when I say 'training', I don't just mean, a little bit here or there on the bike or the treadmill, I mean, properly going for it. In fact, if there's going to be one thing I say here it's that I absolutely detest the treadmill. Why the hell would you pay for a gym membership, if all you're going to do is run on the spot? It just seems pointless to me. You have all of the running space available outside for free. Anywho, I've been really getting into the fitness side of things (more on my healthy eating later) and some of the exercises I've been doing are simple yet effective. You don't even need to have a gym membership to do them! 

Ab exercises are one of my favourites to do (my god, do you feel it when you first start - every time I sneezed it hurt!) They don't need any 'special equipment' and as long as you've got enough room to lie down, you've got enough space to exercise your abs! If there's one thing you should know before I give you all these exercise moves, it's that I am not a professional. My ex boyfriend was a personal trainer and I learnt a lot of this from him. I'm not claiming to know everything, I'm just sharing the knowledge! When I exercise my abs, I usually do 3-5 sets of 5 different core exercises. It can get difficult and hurt at times, but that's when you know you're working the muscle. Christ, if I can get my dad working these with me, they've got to be a good one! 

Source

My usual Abs workout:

Sit Ups - 10 reps

Russian Twists - 10 reps

V-Sits - 10 reps

Leg Raises - 10 reps

Cycle Crunches - 10 reps

REPEAT x5

Obviously, to tone up with these exercises and notice the difference in your tummy, you'll need to get the fat off. Now, I'm not one of these girls who thinks I'm huge and hates every part of me, but I do know that I'm not as fat-free as I thought I was. I have my 'podge' (as I like to call it) on my stomach and my thighs aren't as thin as I'd like them to be, but with some simple workouts, I can burnt the fat. My favourite method of fat burn is a nice long swim. To some people, this can be so laborious and tedious and every other fancy word they can think of, but to me, there's nothing better than getting in the water and just swimming. It's a great way to de-stress and just a great place to think or completely switch off. The pool at the gym I go to is 20m, the perfect size for doing lengths and all one depth. I try to do 500m every day and a good 1000m swim at least two of those days. Fat burning comes when your muscles are tired, so I try and swim for as long as I can at a steady pace (even if beating my PB is always still at the back of my mind).  Since I started swimming religiously again, I've definitely noticed myself trimming down! 

Source

Another thing I've been loving recently (and something that you can do either at home / at a class -  unlike swimming), is Boot Camp. Myself and Eltoria have started going to our local bootcamp which is held at my gym. For less than £5 we have an hours hard workout session outside, no matter what the whether is! It's great fun and we get a lot done. Jodie, who run's Blacklands Boot Camp is a personal trainer and boy is she lethal when it comes to the bleep test and circuits! We definitely work up a sweat and feel so much better when it's all over. Some simple (yet bloody hard working) exercises that Jodie incorporates in her bootcamp (and some I've learnt from my ex) are below, they're such good all-round work outs and keep the heart pumping!

Boot Camp home exercises:

Burpees - 1 minute

Squat Jumps - 1 minute

Press Ups - 1 minute

Bear Crawl - 1 minute

Keep count of how many you do and try and beat them next time!

As much as these exercises are easy to do at home if you haven't got time to get to a class, there's nothing better than being able to do these with other people around. The atmosphere at bootcamp is great and you know you'll always be pushed that little bit harder if someone else is giving the orders. I know Jodie and Nathan definitely keep me on my feet and never let Eltoria and I slack when it comes to holding the 'broken seat' squat position for 2-3 minutes at a time, or even the plank position for what feels like forever! 

Let me know if these tips and tricks have been good for you and if you'd like to see anymore from this series, I'm planning on doing a Youtube video soon of my workouts so that you can see how each exercise is done and how much fun Eltoria and I have working out! I'm also planning on doing a 'Healthy Living - Healthy Eating' post soon so let me know in the comments what kinds of foods you'd like to see!

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Top 5 | High End Heels

Shoes. A girls guilty pleasure. I am obsessed with shoes as the next girl. Sadly though, my ankles are so weak and anything that rubs even the slightest bit creates the biggest blood bath and cut ever. For me, this means that pretty shoes are sometimes not worth the money *cries*.

Just because I don't get to wear the pretty shoes, doesn't mean I don't get to lust over them and create my own wish lists. 

Nude 'Ginny' High Heel Occasion Shoes

Carvela, Kurt Geiger | £79 (sale)

These are a gorgeous nude suede platform heel. I would kill to have these shoes and be able to actually walk around in these without my feet bleeding to death. The heel is so tall and pointy though, that I doubt, even if I didn't have my dodgy ankle issues, I'd be able to walk in these anyway. Aren't they just gorgeous though?!

Singer Diamante Strappy Stiletto Sandals

Steve Madden | £55 (sale)

I've never truly been a fan of open toes and 'strappy' shoes but these, just like the rest in this 'top 5' are absolutely stunning. I love the subtlety of the diamantes against the nude shoe and how they look effortlessly elegant. Another feature I love has to be the zip-up ankle, not something I'm used to (and probably a bitch with my bleeding issue) but it looks much more secure than the average buckle strap. 

Esther High Heel Occasion Shoes

Miss KG, Kurt Geiger | £80

I love a classy dark sling back. These just top the grade with their lovely speckled sequinned detailing, such a classy touch with the mixture of metallic colours. They look super high and like they could be difficult to walk in, but I think the slight platform would help and let's be honest, us girls don't do much moving when we dance. Feet firmly planted on the ground a bit of hip shimmying and the walking wouldn't be an issue at all!

Ivory Sequinned Court Shoes

Faith | £63 (sale)

I don't know about the rest of you, but these look like a perfect pair of bridal shoes. Not that I'm planning on getting married anytime soon, but just the thought of matching these with the perfect classic Ivory dress is enough to melt my heart even now. They look the perfect height, with a tiny platform to help with the stability, what bride wouldn't die to wear these on her wedding day?

FiFi Patent 100mm

Christian Louboutin | £425

The holy grail of all girls shoe wish list. The most coveted, red-soled and ultimately the most classic and stylish pair of shoes around. I'm guessing almost 100% that I am not alone here with having these as my number 1. I find these beauties to be so simple and yet so captivating, I think they really could complete any outfit and let me tell you, if I had the money to go spending on these bad boys willy-nilly, I would. There wouldn't be a shadow of doubt in my mind, dodgy ankles or not, these would be in my possession. I'm a girl obsessed. The £425 is bloody hefty though for a girl who works as an IT Admin. Anyone else feel the same about these? 

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Review | Blackhead Killer face mask*

If there is nothing that I love more, It's a good face mask. I've tried all kinds, Superdrug own brand (which if you've seen Eltoria's youtube video here, you'd know I'm apparently allergic to), Montan Jeunesse, LUSH (which have to be by far the best I've tried so far) and then now my new favourite face mask: The Blackhead Killer. 

I don't think I've ever tried a face mask this good before. It's a peel off face mask and you can really feel it working. I left mine on for  ten minutes (or probably longer, I always forget I have them on!) and when I went to peel it off it was like I could literally feel everything being peeled from my skin. My skin has never felt so amazing before. Literally like touching a baby's bum. This mask, no matter how scary looking it may be, is the best I've tried in a while and even with a price like £14.95 for a pack of 5 sachets, I'd say they're definitely worth it!

Have you ever tried one of these face masks? 

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Check out my GIVEAWAY here. 

The Girl in the Green Scarf

One of my all-time favourite films has to be 'Confessions of a Shopaholic'. I don't know about the rest of you but something about the story just connects with me so well. Maybe it's because the protagonist is called Rebecca, or maybe it's the fact that she's a journalist and I've always wanted to be one. Or maybe, just maybe, it's the fact that I could possibly be verging on being a 'shopaholic'. 

It's not something that I'm proud of, or something that I would like to 'put a label on', because seriously, who would like to be pronounced as a shopaholic? Definitely not me. But, I like to shop. I like to hand over crisp notes in exchange for sparkling new products, wrapped in pastel coloured tissue paper and nestled nicely in a neatly folded paper carry bag. I like to save and I like to feel like I'm not penniless, but at the same time, If I haven't shopped for a while, I start to feel a bit of a loss. It's like Rebecca says in the film '(I shop) because when I shop the world gets better', for me, I find myself shopping more when I'm a little down. Like recently, I broke up with my boyfriend and that made me really sad. Because of this, I bought the Urban Decay Naked Palette and then a couple of days later I bought the Urban Decay Naked Basics Palette and then an hour after that, I bought myself an Illamasqua Lipstick (That last one was in the sale, but then again, as they say in the film, sale shopping is still shopping). It really is true, for me at least, buying things makes me feel better and then as again, Rebecca says in the film 'then it's not (better) anymore and I need to do it again'. That's exactly how I feel. It's like the initial excitement disappears altogether and then I feel empty again. Empty enough that it's as if the online stores and the shops around me are just calling my name over and over until I buy something else. It makes me happier... for a second. 

One thing that I've never been, is in debt. I've had to deal with no money for a week or two before payday occasionally, but I've never actually owed anyone anything. I make a rule of not having credit cards and an overdraft is a definite no-no! I think this is a massive step in me not getting myself into a situation like Bex in 'Confessions of a Shopaholic'. Having the same name is one thing, having the same passions for fashion and beauty shopping is another, but having the same debt issues as her is something that I'd never wish to have. I'll be doing everything I can to try and stop my crazy spending before it spirals into something really out of control and I though that this would be the first in a series of posts to help other 'Rebecca's' in my situation. We don't NEED to keep spending, but it's something we like to do, to make us feel more secure and 'happier'. 

I'd love it if some of you would like to join in with this series of mine. If you have any tips or tricks for saving instead of splurging then pop me over an email to : beky.lou94@gmail.com and I'll feature some in my next post. 

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Check out my GIVEAWAY here. 

Top 5 | Beauty Lust List

makeup lust list by beky-lou featuring matte makeup

Ever since receiving my first monthly pay cheque last month, I've been on the splurge. Makeup has been even more so present in my life and I just cannot stop buying it! I think it's almost time for a spending ban, but I just can't seem to get the above 5 items out of my head!

Benefit Dandelion Blush - £23.50

This blusher has been on my wish list for as long as I can remember.  As everyone knows, I'm a massive Benefit fan and honestly, I'm not too sure why I've never snapped this beauty up before. It's a gorgeous dusty pink and looks lovely on my cheeks.

MAC 217 Shading Brush - £19

This is a brush loved and coveted by many makeup fans. I've become a bit of a makeup brush addict over the past few months (did not realise I had 37!?) and now I've got my sights on this specific one. I don't actually own any MAC makeup brushes, most likely due to the hefty price tag, but this is one that I'm willing to splash out a little on.

MAC 'So Chaud' Lipstick - £15.50

Is it just me, or is everybody else screaming, 'Why did you put up the price of your lipsticks?!'. I'm actually quite annoyed, I'm one of those annoying people that hate buying anything with a price tag that has digits after the decimal point. I'm a rounded kinda girl and to me £15 wasn't a lot to ask. Rant over, I've been eyeing up this lipstick shade for a while now, I originally went to purchase 'Vegas Volt' on Debenhams the other day, but after taking my money and accepting the purchase, they told me it wasn't actually in stock, regardless of what the website said. I was furious, but after getting my money back, I realised that I wanted a much more orange shade than the coral of 'Vegas Volt'. 'So Chaud' is next on my MAC Lipstick hit list!

Zoeva Classic Eyes Brush Collection - £33

After seeing many bloggers rave about the Zoeva range, it was about time that I picked out my purse and did a little online shopping. I fell completely in love with the above eye collection and was devastated when I got to the checkout and found out that postage was £7.50. I am sorry Zoeva, but I am not paying that much money for postage. No matter how pretty your brushes are, They're gonna have to stay on my wish list for now. 

Urban Decay Naked 2 Palette - £37

Again, like with many things recently, I've gone a bit crazy with the Urban Decay Naked Palettes. I first purchased the Naked 3 in December when it was first released and after falling in love with all of the shades, most recently, decided to purchase the original Naked Palette. Not long after that (try 5 days) I found myself adding the Naked Basics into my online shopping cart (being ill and out of work makes you want to online shop like crazy). Now, I still haven't even received the basics palette yet and I'm already lusting over number 2 to complete my collection. I'm a girl obsessed. The eyeshadows are just so lovely!

What items are on your beauty lust lists?
Let me know in the comments below.
xx

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Check out my GIVEAWAY here. 

Beauty Tips and Tricks | Guest Post - Daisy Teen Beauty Blog

Hi, My name's Daisy and I come from a small Teen Beauty Blog on the other side of the web! I have been following Beky's blog for a little while now; and only recently realised the offered guest blogging posts, so I jumped at the chance! I am always looking for ways to expand my blog as well as myself! This is just a little post about beauty tips and tricks!

Pigmentation Lacking

If a beauty product suddenly lacks in pigmentation then you can lightly score the top layer to release pigmentation; or if your like me and would find it painful to purposely destroy the look of your makeup then use a piece of Sellotape to pick up the first layer of the product. By doing this you can release the pigmentation, The products will suddenly lack in pigmentation due to the oils from your fingers and brushes sealing the top layer of the product. (This especially occurs in baked products.) 

Moisturiser Base 

Before you apply your base makeup or even a primer start of with a moisturiser - not only does this lock in your product for the duration of your day; but also acts as a barrier. When you apply products to your face effectively your face eats away the product so by applying a moisturiser it acts as a barrier therefore should also help to clear or prevent breakouts.




Applying Powder 

When you're applying powder (in particular) brush downwards so the hairs on your face lie flat. Then If you are applying a powder, blush, bronzer, eyeshadow, etc; and don't want it to look cake-y then gently dust a fan brush over your face to dust of the excess. 

Brightening Concealer 

Nobody wants to look like a zombie in the morning, so thats why the majority of use a brightening concealer, and then powder so it can stay for the duration of the day. (Of course.) But honestly in order to get the brightening complexion then you also need to powder your under eyes using a powder in a shade or two lighter. If your on a restricting budget then find an all round concealer, and use a powder one or two shades lighter instead; overall it gives the same effect. (Powders typically retail lower than concealers.) 

Multi Use Products 

We all wouldn't mind saving a few pounds even if its to save for other luxurious beauty items but with the extensive range of beauty products us girls require it hard to save our pennies and even harder to save our pounds! If your on a budget save by doubling products, By holding a pencil liner under a flame for a second - let it cool for fifteen-seconds and the consistency will chance meaning you now have a gel liner. After you sharpen it instantly filters back to a kohl liner. You can also add petroleum jelly to pigments to make your own lipgloss. Pigments can also be used as coloured mascaras, add pigments to clear mascaras, and can even be used as nail varnishes when added to clear nail varnishes. Pigments are incredibly versatile and save money.

So those are MY five top makeup tips, but i'd love to hear yours just leave them in the comments below - I'd love to read them! 

I'd also love for you to check out my blog if you enjoyed reading this, I am also hosting a giveaway right now (which ends in two days so make sure you enter!) 

Thanks again Beky, and thanks to all of her lovely readers for taking the time to read my blog!

* Take a peep at Daisy's blog here. and check out my links below :) * 

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Book Lovin' | Mini Reviews & Giveaway!

I am a book lover. Have been ever since I was little. When it came to making friends in Secondary School, I was actually told off for reading too much and not interacting with the other kids... Told off for reading!? At school! Regardless of that, I've been reading ever since and I'm still the little bookworm I've always been.

When I was recently sent the three books below, I literally had a mini heart attack. For a reader like me, these three popping on my doorstep was like a Christmas come early! I've written some mini reviews below and theres a giveaway at the bottom of the page for you to Win one of the three (you get to choose which one you'd like), I'll be buying another copy to send to the winner!

The Three - Sarah Lotz

The Three is a thriller novel from author Sarah Lotz, based around 4 plane crashes that happened on the same day around the world, it's definitely a book that will get you thinking. It's written incredibly well in the form of newspaper articles, message forum conversations, IM's and prose and definitely keeps you frustrated and confused, edging you to read on and on. The many different 'voices' and points of views throughout the book (especially at the beginning) create utter suspense in the readers mind which in turn creates unease and dread, ultimately ending in an all over great horror story. Plane crashes, strange child survivors and a whole lot of conspiracy! Definitely not one to read just before you're to head off on holiday! I absolutely loved this book and was literally gripped the entire way through!

Geek Girl Picture Perfect - Holly Smale

Picture Perfect is the third instalment in the Geek Girl series by Holly Smale, a hilarious book that carries on perfectly from the first two, with new adventures and new obstacles for Harriet to encounter. In this book, Harriet and the rest of her family uproot and move to New York, leaving her boyfriend behind and embarking on a new modelling career. There's such a great blend of seriousness and humour and all of the facts we've all loved from the previous novels are still packed in, teaching us a thing or two as we read! One of the main things that I love about this book and the two previous, are the incredibly short chapters, I think they give such a great vibe to the book and really enhance the writing style and the 'voice' of Harriet. A great and funny book which is suitable for all ages.

Half A King -  Joe Abercrombie

Now, I'm not normally a massive fan of the fantasy novels (unless of course it's Harry Potter) but Half A King is a great read, something that any fans (especially young fans) of The Hobbit of The Lord Of The Rings will really love. Half A King is the first book in the Shattered Sea Series and so far I'm half way through, its a great book so far and am really enjoying it. The names are a little hard to get your tongue around at first, but once you're over that hurdle, it's not hard to get your teeth into and get gripped into the story.

If you'd like to win one of these great books all you have to do is fill in the Rafflecopter widget below! The Giveaway will last two weeks and I'll be selecting one winner at random, through the app on Friday 15th August! This is a UK giveaway only unfortunately (so so sorry to all you abroad).

PRIZES : 

1 of the above books (of your choice)

A Bundle Of Beauty Goodies!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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