Showing posts with label haul. Show all posts
Showing posts with label haul. Show all posts


I'm a complete product junkie and I have always been in to makeup, but recently all my hoarding has been focused on hair products. So I thought it was time to start revamping my makeup collection slowly and surely. I say surely, but I got all of this over 2 days! 

Below are my first impressions of the products and at the bottom I have included links, where I can find them of the products online. I got everything in River Island, Boots and Selfridges. 

1. Lashes by Samantha - These lashes are so fluttery and natural looking for any occasion. I stumbled upon these in River Island and really liked that they didn't have a thick black strip like others do. 

2. Estee Lauder Double Wear Foundation in Shade Spice - This foundation is so amazing! I mix mine with Loreal True Match Foundation to give it more of a dewy brown colour and I have had so many compliments since I have been wearing it. It was a great experience purchasing it also. I got mine from there kiosk in the Trafford Centre and had my colour matched. 

3. Nyx Matte Finish Spray - This really does work considering how cheap it is! I have a really oily T zone and wanted to have a matte finish so I gave this a go with the finishing powder and it holds for hours. Working as a waitress it even holds during my shifts!

4. Nyx Liquid Suede - This is the best nude lipgloss I have used in a long time, if ever. It is notoriously difficult to find a nice matte lip gloss when you have darker skin so I took a chance on this and I love it. It goes on 'liquid' and dries matte. Separate review coming soon... 

5. Collection Fast Stroke Eyeliner - I don't really believe in spending a lot on a liquid eyeliner. This is because every time I have spent a little extra on one it seems to dry out, or get lost! So I am sticking to collection eyeliners. Once sprayed with the finishing powder it stays on all day and is super sleek and black, you wouldn't guess it was less than a fiver. 

6. Nyx Liquid Illuminator - This product is such an easy way to get a bit of a shimmery highlight. It comes out as a liquid and you only need a tiny drop. The golden tint is perfect for darker skin tones. 

7. Nyx HD Finishing Powder - I was going to invest in the Laura Mercier setting powder, but at £29 I thought I would look for a cheaper alternative first. I tried this out and so far I love it, it is translucent and you only need a small amount to keep your makeup in place without that grey ashy look. It stops me from getting oily but doesn't mask my makeup. 

8. Maybelline Lash Sensation - This isn't a new product for me but it is a staple for my every day makeup, I love it. It makes my eyelashes thick and elongated instantly and it is really affordable. 


Lashes by Samantha - £5

Ester Double Wear Foundation - Shade Spice - Around £30 

Nyx Setting Spray - £7 

Nyx Liquid Suede - Matte Lipgloss - Sandstorm £6.50 

Collection - Fast Stroke Eyeliner (Boots - Approx £2)

Nyx Liquid Illuminator - £7

Nyx HD Finishing Powder -  £7

Maybelline Lash Sensational - £7.99 



It's that time of the academic year where organisation is everything. I truly believe that sometimes being organised outweighs actually being smart 'clever' so all these notebooks better help me out! 

Also, that is just another one of my excuses to have a pretty bookshelf.
Most of these things were gifts but they are definitely things I couldn't live without now

First of all my MacBook Pro is actually my life. Until recently I hadn't been into using an electronic/online calendar but it now I like to use both for practicalities, as it can be quite heavy to carry my laptop AND diary to uni (First World Problems) and because I get a reminder on my phone and on my laptop. 

To the right is my week planner, this is great to write down shifts at work or blog posts or your gym schedule! This was a gift from John Lewis, you can find it here

Next up is my Cath Kidston Pencil Case. All the Cath Kinston stuff you can see here my boyfriend bought me for my birthday, I can't believe he spent that long in there! I guess you could say a pencil case is a bit childish, but a lost memory stick is no laughing matter, so I like carrying around my essentials in this. I also keep lip balm, earphones etc in there. This is the 'Billie Goes to Town' Pencil Case.

My Pen came in a box which makes for a great gift and is so pretty... too nice to use for scribbling notes at uni! I couldn't find the exact one but here is a similar version .

The notebook is great to use as a diary. It is hardback and doesn't have any dividers so not the best for university, but great for blog ideas or just general life notes! Here is a similar one. 

I don't quite know how I coped without a wall calendar before this! It's so handy if someone asks you if you are available last minute, and you can just glance at the wall. Also, it's great for me to see when my deadlines are due so I can see how close together they are and cry plan accordingly.
I couldn't find a link to where this was available online as you can imagine (It is February!). 
But you could probably get one discounted now which is even better! 

Last but not least is my 'Life Book' it says that is for organised mums ha! But it is actually so helpful, there are pages for you to write down your budget, and just about  anything you can think of. 

So I have a bit of a stationery addiction and it seems like everyone knows it!
What are your favourite ways to stay organised? 








This is the Aunt Jackie's Curls and Coils Curl La La Defining Custard. 
I had read lots of amazing reviews of this product online and it was one of the more affordable curl creams available in my local hair shop at just £5.99. I bought this because I wanted to find a cream that would help define my curls with adding frizz or leaving residue. I


I always look for reviews online of products I am intending to buy, so here is another one out there for people like me.  I thought I would keep this review simple by just doing a list of the Pros and Cons! 



Pros 

First of all, this is the BEST smelling product I have used probably ever. It smells so fruity and the smell lasts all day!

It is affordable and is widely available on the high street

The packaging is cute and the tub can definitely be re-used

It is very moisturising and has a nice texture. I would say it is better as a moisturiser than a curl definer as it isn't sticky and it prevented my hair from drying out after being in the cold and wind!

My ends did stay curled!


Cons 

I think the texture is too 'liquid-y' (if that makes sense) to keep my hair from frizzing, it isn't heavy enough for my 4C hair 

It did define the curls but as my hair is so thick, once I had un-sectioned all of my hair it was just a big damp mess, therefore I think it would only work for me in a half up half down hairsyle.

Overall....

It's not something I would rely on if I was going on a big night out or for a special occasion. I think it would let me down! 

I would rate this a 4.5 out of 10 


I prefer....

Eco Styler Argon Oil Styling Gel.
This is the best for me to define curls and for around £3.50 you can get a huge tub! The only issue I have with this is that you do get quite a lot of build up, but if you wet your hair under the shower it will bounce back to life and you can add more! 

Remember....

Not everything that works on other people will work on you and things that work on you won't work on other people... 





January is possibly the best month to read (and watch on YouTube) all the bloggers favourites, as it follows Christmas and everyone has time to test out things they are loving. 

This is a quick post to show the things that I have been obsessed with in January. 

First of all my 2016 Cath Kidston calendar is sooooo pretty and helps me to stay organised now that final year is getting stressful. With birthdays and deadlines looming now until May is quite honestly going to be the most stressful time of my education so far, but keeping organised and writing everything down is one way to stay sane. This was a birthday present and my birthday is in September so I have been waiting a long time to use this! 

Eco Styler Gel has been a lifesaver this month whilst I have been cutting back on styling my hair with heat. It is SO windy right now in Birmingham so this helps to keep my hair in place (as much as possible) I have tried both the green Eco Styler and this one that has Argan Oil in. I'd recommend this as it isn't too drying and it holds your hair right in place quickly. It is also quite affordable. 

The Scrub from Soap and Glory is actually the Scrub of My Life like it says on the bottle! It smells amazing and makes me feel like I have just had a massage. LOVE. 

My favourite scents this month have been Cashmere from Next and Lady Million by Paco Rabbane, both were gifts. I am into really strong warm scents and these both are. That is the best way to describe them. Also, don't underestimate perfume from Next, the scent lasts so long and I always get complimented on it! 

The Ice Twins was a completely different type of book to what I would ever usually read but it was definitely one that made me sit back and think. I will be uploading a review at some point!
What are your January favourites? 



I love layering on the mascara, I think it makes your face look softer and more feminine. Especially during the colder weather when you can end up looking a bit washed out, its a great way to make your features stand out.

In the past I usually used the Loreal Lash Sensational mascara to separate and lengthen my eyelashes before using a thicker mascara, but I find that these mascaras apply well and still make your lashes look lengthy. I still swear by Loreal Lash Sensational but these are two new additions to my makeup bag that can add that extra oomph during a dull January.



This mascara is called Thick and Fast by Soap and Glory. If you want big thick black eyelashes this is one for you my friend. With just one coat my eyelashes really stand out, and with two I look ready for a night out. The formula is thick, but doesn't feel heavy on the lashes, and Im sure it will last me a very long time! You can buy it here but I suggest getting the Whole She Bang Kit in Boots which is now just £18 and includes this and a load of other products too!


This mascara is the Clinique High Impact Mascara. The product pictured is just 3.5g, great for carrying in your handbag or for travelling. I got this in the Clinique Bonus Time Gift Set, but you can get the full one here. With this product you can build a really volumised lash, but if you want a more natural look you can achieve this with less application. I find that it isn't too hard to remove either, unlike the Thick and Fast mascara.

What are your favourite mascaras for full looking lashes? 







They say 'A Sunday well spent, brings a week of content' and I completely agree. After a night out for my friends birthday and a day of slobbing around with the girls eating dominoes and watching films it was the perfect Sunday, but I had chipped black nail varnish and they also say 'chipped nails means dirty underwear' so I had to sort it out ASAP! 

I started off by removing the mess on my nails with this Elegant Touch nail varnish remover that I bought in New Look, I then filed them into this square shape, I am so happy that my nails are growing strong after years of wearing acrylics but I like to keep a similar shape.  

Firstly my favourite nail varnish at the moment is this one, surprisingly from H&M. The shade is Rainforest Lake and I think it looks great on darker/tanned skin because it is super bright. My wardrobe is pretty much a mixture of grey, black and khaki and now it's getting towards spring, I thought I would add a flash of colour. 



Anyway, back to the nails, I change my nail varnish all the time and I have a pretty big varnish collection but I get really impatient when it comes to drying them. As soon as I saw this Elegant Touch nail drying spray I was so excited and it really does dry your nails in 60 seconds! It also leaves a really nice shine to your nails and skin.

A woman is only helpless when her nail varnish is drying.... Well no more thanks to this £3 wonder!