My Summer Basics

Saturday, August 31, 2013
Here are some of my summer basics picks, obviously there are a lot of products I have missed out like SPF (I didn't include SPF because I can react to spf and it can irritate my eczema sometimes). Also I missed out my beloved Caudalie Beauty Elixir and foundation but these are just basics that I use on a daily basis during the summer in England. I might make a holiday/travel basics as I am going away from the beginning of August to the end of August. 

1. Simple Rich Moisturiser: this product is just a staple from me at all times of the year, I don't know what I would do without it! I have been using this facial moisturiser for about three years now and I love it, even during the summer because your skin always needs a moisturiser after cleansing.

2. Revlon Nearly Naked Pressed Powder: I have the shade '01 fair' which is the lightest shade unfortunately because it is still a little bit too dark for me but during the summer when my skin isn't as ghostly pale as it is during the colder months then I can use it. The powder is almost invisible on the skin, it leave the skin matte but not really flat and it doesn't look caky, powdery or heavy at all!

3. Bioderma Sebium Micellaire Solution: I bought two bottles of this (2 X 500ml for €15) in Corsica and I love this stuff! It is the one of normal/combination skin and I have dry skin but it was the only bioderma micellaire water in the Corsican pharmacy I went to and I had been searching around Italy and Corsica for Bioderma! Anyway even through it is for normal/combination skin is works fine for my dry skin, it doesn't strip my skin and it removes makeup like nothing else!

4. Bliss Blood Orange and White Pepper Body Butter: I know that during the summer you don't want to use a thick body butter but this one smells divine, I love it! This body butter is quite light and it doesn't feel heavy and it absorbs quickly too.

5. Free People Mr. Cleaver Sunglasses: I bought these sunglasses about a week ago and I love them. I have fairly sensitive eyes and I wear contacts so sunglasses are a must and these look great! They fit really well, they don't look really big and they are comfortable. They are also in the sale for less than £7!

6. Ciate 'Red Hot Chili' Nail Polish: I bought this polish at the end of last month when it was on sale for £4.50. The shade is just gorgeous, it is a bright chili red which is perfect for summer. It applies like a dream and I can get away with one coat.

7. Twistbands: I love Twistbands, I received mine in a beauty box a while ago (I think it was Jolie Box) and I have been using the since. They don't pull on my hair, they don't give me a headache and they are great for just keep my hair away from my face while I am out and about in the sun. If you can't find Twistbands then H&M and Dorothy Perkins (and some brands in Boots) are making them now!

8. Korres Tinted Lip Balm, Rose: I love Korres products and this one is no exception. The lip balm is great on its own and the fact that it is tinted is great too because in the summer you don't want lots of makeup on or full on lipstick so a tinted lip balm is a great 2 in1 product for summer!


August Primark Haul

Thursday, August 29, 2013
Here are my recent purchases from the latest primark trip, we went to primark on the 24th August, so all or most of the items featured here should be in stores! I love the new autumn/winter clothing in primark recently, I could have bought a lot more but I did restrain myself...to an extent!
Here is my first purchase from primark, I saw this cardigan and I instantly fell in love with it! It was £12  and it looks like something you would buy from Urban Outfitters, in my opinion. The cardigan has a tribal/aztec print and it is cream/black. It also has batwing sleeves and it is longer at the front than the back. I love the loose, casual, I just threw it on feel of this cardigan. The cardigan only came in size S, M or L, no normal sizes so I bought a size S, Small. This is a jumper that I saw on a youtube primark haul, I am a bit addicted to primark hauls! I love the dove grey shade, it is not lightweight but it is not a really heavy knit either - it is a nice in between seasons jumper. This jumper was £8 and I bought a UK 8. It is smooth,soft and it feels very well made, unlike some primark jumpers/knits.
I think I need a moments silence for these next two tops.....I love them! I love the stripes on the arms and the casual, american style! And the best part, they were only £5 each! I bought the black and grey tops - there was also a red top in the same style which I may have to get - and I might have to buy another black one...
Same top as before in a light grey shade, love it! It looks great with boots or with converse, in my opinion and it is great on its own or for layering too. I love all of the american, raglan, varsity and band tops and t-shirts in primark recently.
 Finally from primark a dress - I also saw this in a haul video and I instantly fell head over heels for the print! I love the print and apparently everyone else does because there were only about four dresses in this style left! I bought the only size 8 I could find, the other sizes were 14 and 16 I think so it must be popular! The print is gorgeous and I love the cute sleeves and the length is ok for me - I am 4 ft 10 so most dresses down me but this one is great. This dress was only....wait for it...£8! Bargain, gotta love primarni!

Mercedes-Benz Competition: Summer Style

Tuesday, August 27, 2013
I was contacted by Ally at Mercedes-Benz who emailed me about the Mercedes-Benz Social Reporter campaign that was ending soon! The social reporter campaign focuses on the social reporter in all of us, as we live in an age of facebook, twitter, instagram and youtube, we can connect to the rest of the world in a way we have never been able to before. We can document and share our lives with the world and the social reporter campaign/competition give entrants the opportunity to attend events and document the experience on behalf of Mercedes-Benz. The campaign ends tomorrow at midnight - for more information, click here

My summer look - Gothenburg, Sweden, August 2013 
For the campaign you have to show your summer look of 2013, and as I have just came back from an amazing holiday, I thought I would use some of my holiday outfit photographs - this is the outfit that I wore in Gothenburg, Sweden just over a week ago. I greatly underestimated how chilly and changeable the weather would be in Scandinavia and Russia even during the summer so I mainly wore t-shirts, jeans and ballet pumps! I love the laid back, simple and somewhat androgynous style which seems to be the  basis of Scandinavian fashion - and home ware, gotta love Ikea! While travelling in Sweden and Denmark I saw a lot of women wearing gorgeously simple and basic outfits that I loved - simple black skinny jeans and sweaters and lightweight tops and trousers. I adore simple, basic clothing/accessories. 

My top is from Monki (an amazing Scandinavian fashion brand), my jeans are from Dorothy Perkins and my bag is from Newlook. My ballet flats, which I wore to death, are from La Redoute. The glasses I am wearing are prescription glasses from a company called Firmoo which I have worked with for months now. Oh and the photographs were taken in the Gothenburg botanical gardens and while on the ship (Royal Caribbean brilliance of the seas) on the way into Gothenburg. And if you didn't already know, I recently had 9 inches cut off my hair for the The Little Princess Trust, a charity that makes wigs for children with cancer - for more information about the trust, click here

My Travel Makeup: Brushes and Tools

Monday, August 26, 2013
Here are the tools and makeup brushes that I have taken on holiday with me, if you want to see the makeup that I have taken then you can just scroll down to my previous posts. 
The brushes I am taking includes: my Real Techniques Expert Face Brush (aka. one of the best foundation brushes ever), the RT deluxe Crease Brush, RT Pointed Foundation brush, RT Contour brush, RT Eyeshadow brush, Laura Mercier Flat Eyeshadow brush, an Angled Ecotools brush for liner and brows and a eyebrow brush. I am also taking my trusty Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler - although if you are looking for a cheap version, buy the Birch Box Eyelash Curler. Oh and my Makeup bag for my brushes is from MAC. 

My Travel Skincare

Sunday, August 25, 2013
Here are the items of skincare that I have taken on holiday with me, the skin type I have is dry/sensitive so not all of these products will suit everyone. 
Firstly, my eczema cream - the eczema cream I use is Protopic 0.1% and it is a non steroid cream for topical eczema and I LOVE it! This eczema cream is a definite life saver for me so it is a must if I am travelling anywhere. Also another life saver product, for me anyway, is the Simple Rich Moisturiser which I have been using for about five years, maybe longer, it is a basic everyday facial moisturiser that doesn't irritate my skin. As for my cleanser I am using my Dead Sea Spa Magik Gentle Cleansing Facial Wash (Phew!) as it also doesn't irritate my skin and it is a nice travel size. I have always overlooked this brand but since receiving this cleanser in a beauty box, I want to try more of their products. 

I am also taking a small sample of the YuBe Cream that everyone seems to be talking about recently, I received it in a beauty box and it is great for lips and super dry patches. As for a night cream, I am taking my Ogranic Surge Intensive Moisutriser which I love in a mini Kiko travel pot - this Organic Surge moisturiser is incredible, it doesn't irritate my skin and it is incredibly hydrating for my skin! As for skincare extras, I am taking some flannels (from Primark, where else), my cute Tweezerman tweezers
and some mini wax strips for my eyebrows.

*American Soda

Friday, August 23, 2013
A few weeks ago my sister, Aimee, contacted the store/website American Soda which is a UK food website that I have been buying from for a least a year now. Anyway, my sister asked if them if they could send me some products for review and because it was my 21st birthday which was sweet of her and a little bit cheeky! I opened the box the day before we went on holiday and I received some yummy American food which isn't that easy to get hold of if you are in the UK like me, unless you buy from speciality websites such as American Soda, so I was really happy and grateful! 
Here is what I received! I haven't tried a couple of the items I received before but I have already tried the Kraft mac and cheese which I freakin love and the Rice a roni which I also love! I have never heard of Snapple before though or the Reeces peanut butter - I love the peanut butter cups occasionally. I have already managed to eat the Mississippi mac and cheese and almost all of the Kraft mac and cheese sachets...oops! Gotta love macaroni cheese! If you like American food like me, then American Soda is a great website with a wide range of products (oh they also sell candles and baking product among other things) and they are also fairly local to where I live so I am always happy to try and support local businesses. They stock a range of American brands and products such as: Kraft, Reeces, Mountain Dew, Betty Crocker, Hershey's, Red Vines, Lucky Charms, Cap'n Crunch, Shake n Bake and many more! Also, they have just reduced the prices of their shipping too which is great! And for my amazing continental european followers, American Soda do ship to all over Europe - Click here to find out more.

*Loreal Super Liners and Brow Artist

Thursday, August 15, 2013
I received some eye liners and a brow pencil from the lovely Loreal Paris a few days ago and I thought I would do an initial impressions post about them because so far I am really impressed. Even though the eye liners and brow pencil were sent to me to review, this does not change my opinion and my thoughts and opinions are my own. Also this post is pre-written by me as I am currently on holiday!

Super Liner Perfect Slim (£6.99): I have had these eye liners for almost one week now and I have been using this liner the most. It is the Perfect Slim liner and the name definitely fits! The liner brush is really thin and fine so you can get so close to the lashes, you can get a fine line but you can also thicken the liner with this product or with the Blackbuster liner. This liner has been my go-to product this week and it is just so quick and easy to use. I use this product for the first time while sitting on the sofa with a tiny mirror, it is that easy to use! However, I wish this liner was waterproof!

Super Liner BlackBuster (£6.99): I haven't used this liner as much because it does have quite a bit thick brush and I personally prefer thinner eyeliner brushes but after using it, it can be used to make a thin line or a thick line. The formula of this liner isn't as black as the Perfect Slim liner but it is still dark and relatively intense. The tip of the liner brush is quite thin and pointed so you can be quite precise - again I wish this liner was waterproof.

Super Liner GelMatic (£5.99): Kohl/pencil eyeliners were my very first makeup purchases back when I was around 13 and I have always loved liner since - this product reminds me of the black pencil liners I used to use back in the day. It is so easy to use, it is nice on the waterline and it can be smudged. The pencil is quite creamy so it applies smoothly and it is quite black and pigmented. I have been using the perfect slim liner to line my upper lash line (how many 'lines' in that sentence!) and then I have been using this product to liner my upper water liner to get rid of the nude/empty space you get when you apply liner to the upper lash line. 

Super Liner Brow Artist, 04 Brunette (£5.49): Finally, the brow pencil, along with the perfect slim liner I have been using this quite a lot over the past week. I find that the colour matches my brows really well - the photograph above it making the colour look a bit red but it is actually quite ashy. The pencil is so quick/easy to use, it looks really natural and the brow brush on the lid is very handy. However, I do not really see the point of the wax/clear side of the pencil - the waxy side is designed to be used around the brows to stop smudging of the brow pencil - but I find it doesn't smudge anyway. 

Overall, I think the products are all really really great but it just depends on your eye liner preference. I would definitely purchase the Perfect Slim liner and the Brow Artist pencils. I wish the liners were waterproof though! Although all of the products mentioned are super cheap, in my opinion. 

My Late July Wish List

Tuesday, August 13, 2013
Here is my wish list of items that I have been drooling over for the past month or so, from gadget holders and brow products to skincare sample sets and new hair care wants. 
All images from Google
1. Indeed Labs Sampler Set (£12.99): I have been wanting to try Hydraluron after hearing so many bloggers and youtubers say how amazing it is for dry/dehydrated skin but I didn't want to buy the full size because my skin, annoyingly, is quite sensitive and some products can react with my skin. I was quite happy, more so than I should have been, when I saw a sampler set of Hydraluron and also Nanoblur and Snoxin, the latter two I am not that excited about but it looks like a fantastic set and at a good price. I will be buying this after my holiday, can't wait!

2. Smashbox Brow Tech To Go (£19): Smashbox isn't a brand that I have used that much but I bought a value set of their products while on a Royal Caribbean cruise last year, Royal Caribbean have a beauty store which stocks a lot of brand such as Smashbox. Since I have tried a couple of their products, and liked most of them, I saw this beauty. I love multi use products and anything that saves space in my makeup storage is a good thing. I love the look of this duo brow product!

3. Bumble and Bumble Thickening Creme Contour (£21): I have wanted to try Bumble and Bumble products for a while, they have a lot of good reviews but they are a bit expensive. I am getting my hair cut short on the 1st August and I wanted some new hair products suitable for my shorter bob length hair. I was tempted by the Semisumo B&B creme but I think this lightweight sheer finishing creme looks great!

4. Topshop Noodoll Gadget Holder (£14): How cute is this little guy! I feel in love with this cute kitsch gadget holder as soon as I saw it on Topshops website. It is £14 but it will be great for my blackberry or ipod. 

5. YSL Touche Eclat Foundation (£28): I have wanted this foundation in my life since I was released last year! I haven't managed to buy it, probably because it is a bit expensive and I have quite a lot of foundations but boy do I want this product. I have heard so many good reviews and I will have to treat myself...


My Travel Makeup

Saturday, August 10, 2013
Here is my travel makeup, I was so busy taking photographs for this post because I created this post the day we were going on holiday - not very organised but here are all of the travel makeup products I am currently using on my holiday. 
Base products: For base product I took the Becca Radiant Skin Satin Finish Foundation in the shade Porcelain which is a really great match for me. I took this foundation because even though I haven't used it a lot, I really like it, it makes my skin look like skin and it lasts fairly well. I also took my Jemma Kidd Moisture Tint as well if my skin is drier than usual. To set my makeup I bought along the amazing Revlon Nearly Naked powder which is almost invisible on the skin. Other base products I took include the: Body Shop Moisturise it Primer, my trusty Cosmopolitan Beauty Foundation Sponge and my Clinique Airbrush Concealer. Oh and for contour and bronzing I took the ELF Bronzer in the shade Cool and it is just fantastic!

Eyes and Brows: For my eyeshadow primer I took my Nars Proprime which is the best eyeshadow primer I have ever used and I bought my Soap & Glory Whats Nude Eyeshadow Quad which I have been using for months and months and I still love it! For my brows I am bringing a new addition to my makeup collection, it is the Loreal Super Liner Brow Artist Pencil in the shade 03 which is great. Also for my brows I am taking a brow gel which is essential for me and it is the Revlon Brow Styling Gel which is the only one I have now because my Gosh Brow Gel ran out a few days ago. Also if I want to wear liner while I am on holiday I took the Laura Geller Inkwell Waterproof Gel Liner which is in a nice handy travel container (it comes with a brush in the lid). I am taking my Bare Minerals Flawless Definition Waterproof Mascara too which isn't my favourite but it will do. 

Lips: For lips I am only taking on lip pencil - the Illamasqua Medium Pencil in the shade Ascend and I am not taking any lipsticks because I don't want them to melt or get ruined during travelling. I am also taking a lip gloss, the Laura Mercier Lip Glace in the shade Sweetheart because it looks amazing on the lips and the longevity is pretty good too. In terms of lip balms I am taking my trusty Burts Bees Beeswax Balm because it is cooling and soothing. 

Look out for my other travel beauty posts coming soon! Ps. I cannot comment because this is a pre-written post while I am away x

London Boutiques

Tuesday, August 06, 2013
This is a post written by London Boutiques! London Boutiques is a British fashion company focusing mainly on designer clothing. For more information on London Boutiques, click here. All of the images below are from londonboutiques, chosen by me, text written by London Boutiques. 


If you still have a holiday to look forward to this summer, then there’s no time like the present to shop for your holiday wardrobe. The summer sales are on and there are lots of great gems to be found. But before you start to look for your one of a kind show stopping pieces you need to make sure you have your essentials purchased first. These make up the basis of your summer holiday style and without them you will struggle to put outfits together whilst on vacation. Thus read on to discover the garments every woman needs for their break…

Denim Shorts
A pair of denim shorts can be a life saver when on vacation. They look great, they are comfortable and most importantly they are versatile too. There is literally no top that will look misplaced when teamed with denim. From a light coloured camisole to a multi coloured geometric pattern bralet to a linen shirt; you name it – denim goes with it. This means that by investing in a good pair of denim shorts you have an item you can wear again and again and again without people even noticing. 
Bikini Cover-Up
If you are going on holiday then a bikini cover-up is a must. There is nothing more annoying then deciding you want to take a break from sunbathing and thus have to put your shorts and top on again. The clothes get stuck to your skin and you feel sweaty and sticky. Thankfully, a bikini cover-up provides an alternative solution. All you need to do is slip it on. The floaty material ensures you feel comfortable. But of course practicality is not the only benefit associated with owning a beach cover-up. In addition to this, there are lots of stylish and colourful cover-ups available nowadays. All you need to do is take a look online at websites such as London Boutiques to see that this is the case. 
Camisole
A camisole is your must-have top for the summer. It is comfortable, it is light weight and it looks extremely cute too. There is a huge selection of camisoles to choose from online. Going for a pale colour is always a recommended choice because it plays to the feminine style of the top. Your camisole can be teamed with an array of different garments; from shorts, to midi skirts, to harem pants – you won’t be short of options.
Maxi Dress
And finally, the last garment on your list of summer essentials is a maxi dress. This has soared in popularity over the past few years. People love the maxi dress because it can be dressed up and dressed down. This means you can create a laid back day look as well as glamorous evening attire. And if that wasn’t enough; you will fail to find another dress as comfortable as this style.

Week in photographs # 32

Sunday, August 04, 2013
Well another week and it is nearly time for my holiday - today we have been last minute shopping and packing! Anyway, my week has consisted of: sale shopping and last minute shopping for holiday, meeting up with family and friends because I will be on holiday for my 21st, getting some early birthday presents, packing, writing lots of blog posts and having my hair cut for the Little Princess Trust!

We have been really busy this week because we are going away in a few days time for two weeks! Excited! Family and friends have been coming round this week which has been great and myself and my sister have received some early birthday presents because we are going to be on holiday for my sisters 18th birthday and my 21st birthday - I'm getting old!

Also this week I had my hair cut - I had about 9 inches cut off which is about 22cm! I feel weird with short hair (well it is short for me!) but I do like it. I just have to get used to it being so short and I need to re-learn how to style and maintain short hair. I have donated my hair to the Little Princess Trust which is an charity that makes wigs for children with cancer so it is a great cause - I have created a whole blog post on my new hair and the Trust so if you want to know more about it, click here.

I also have been writing lots of new, summer related blog posts that I can post while I am away - although I will not be able to reply to emails or comments really because the internet is not free on royal caribbean cruises and it is a bit expensive. I have some exciting summer favourites, summer reads, back to school and review posts coming over the next three weeks - also some holiday and birthday posts when I come back.

I hope everyone had a great week x

Clothing Calculator # 7

Saturday, August 03, 2013
Here is the seventh clothing calculator post and if you are not familiar with this on going series on my blog then it is just an outfit that I have created myself from pieces from online stores that I like - showing you what is in stock or on sale now and how I would style the items. 
1. Riverisland Red Tile Print Jogger Trousers (£30): I am getting into print trousers recently, they look so chic and modern. I love the print of these trousers and if they do on sale I will have to buy them. I think these trousers with the heels, cami and clutch makes a gorgeously chic summer evening outfit.

2. Riverisland Basic Black Cami (£10): These strappy basic chiffon camis are everywhere now! Primark and Topshop have similar versions and they are not for me personally because I don't really like to show my upper arms but they do look gorgeous!

3. Pretty Small Shoes Serverlan Black Patent Sandals (£55, sale): I love the heels on this website, it is a site specially for women with smaller than average feet like me! These heels look so chic, sophisticated and I love them. 

4. Topshop Floral Laser Cut Clutch (£28): I love the design of this unique and pretty clutch. The clutch goes really well with the other black, modern items in this outfit, in my opinion. The clutch looks well made, edgy but feminine and a good size. 

5. Maybelline Baby Lips, Cherry (£2.99): I have already bought two of these coveted lip balms! I bought the cherry one, as shown above, and the pink one. They are basically tinted lips balms but they have so much hype around them and they are now available in the UK - in Boots and Superdrug. 

The Little Princess Trust & Me

Thursday, August 01, 2013
This morning I had my hair cut which doesn't sound like a big deal but I had about 9 inches cut off which is a substantial amount! I needed a change and I really like it - I have had my hair like this before, back in 2009 which seems like a lifetime ago. Tell me what you think in the comments below!
Sorry for the number of selfies! Oh and the liquid liner I am wearing is from Loreal
I wanted to get my hair cut for a change because it was down to my hips basically and it was getting really annoying, although it was still a bit nerve wracking getting so much cut off! Also I am donating my hair to The Little Princess Trust. I had never heard of this organisation until a family friend told me about them a few weeks ago. The Little Princess Trust makes real hair wigs, from donations, and gives them to children suffering from cancer - the wigs are free of charge and most people can donate their hair. There is a list of what hair is accepted and what is not, I thought I wouldn't be able to donate my hair because my hair is coloured but I can. Click here to find out more about The Little Princess Trust. I would definitely recommend checking out the website if you are interested. 

Well, here is my hair, I really like it - it feels so light - I had almost 9 inches cut off for the trust!