Summer Reading 2014!

I am hours away from jetting off to Uganda, to spend a month away from my creature comforts; my bed, my favourite dishes, and most importantly my internet. Although I am mildly panicking inside at the thought of no YouTube viewing, or blog reading for an entire month, I think some time away from the internet should do me good. I want to use this technology break to get back into reading properly. So I ventured into the bookshop and picked up a few. 

The Perks Of Being A Wallflower. By Stephen Chbosky. The narrative is a sequence of letters to a 'friend', written by Charlie, an introverted fifteen year old, who begins to find himself throughout the novel, with the help of a few quirky friends, and exciting new experiences. I have wanted to read this book, from the moment I fell in love with the film. I thought the film was absolutely brilliant (in spite of the lovely Emma Watson's 'American' accent...). I adored the way certain quotes really resonated with me (and many others, according to Tumblr) such as "and in that moment, I swear we were infinite" as well as the heart-shattering acknowledgement that "we accept the love we think we deserve". Even in the film Chbosky's 'quote-able' nature shone through; encouraging me to start reading the book as soon as I got home from the shop!

Thirteen Reasons Why. By Jay Asher. I have not heard anything about this book, however it is apparently an international bestseller, so I thought I would throw myself into it headfirst, knowing next to nothing about it. The blurb enticed me; a girl commits suicide leaving behind several audiotapes for her first love (and one of the reasons for her death) explaining the thirteen reasons why she killed herself. "You can't stop the future. You can't rewind the past. The only way to learn the secret...is to press play". I imagine many cliffhangers, and suspenseful moments, but we shall have to wait and see...

Me Before You. By Jojo Moyes. This book is one for 'The Fault In Our Stars' lovers, apparently, so it should be perfect for me. Each review encourages a box of tissues and waterproof mascara, in one way or another, which is right up my street, I love a good book that can make you weep (is that odd?). The story centres around a man and a women who come into each others lives at just the right time, and change them forever. 

The Shock Of The Fall. By Nathan Filer. A story revolving around mental illness. I am incredibly interested in this topic, and believe it will be a roller-coaster of emotions according to the reviews. The writing style is supposedly exquisite too. 


All in all I am very excited to delve into all of these books, and will let you know what I think once I have finished them.

 

Which books are on your reading wish-list currently? And do you have any must-read recommendations? Let me know in the comments below... 

MTV Casting Party!

There has been a recent surge of interest in filming reality shows in the Middle East, and so when the opportunity arose to attend an MTV casting party at a prestigious social club, I jumped at the chance. By no means did I want to audition for it, but I was intrigued as to what the event would be like. Plus the views from the 54th floor were supposedly spectacular (my ears popped when going up in the lift! But yes the views were gorgeous). The casting was for 18-24 year olds, so it was free entrance for anyone on the guest-list in that age bracket (bonus!). On arrival they asked for our individual photographs to be taken, and then to state your name and age for the camera. I avoided the speaking portion, as I wasn't aware it was just stating facts about yourself. I thought it was an on the spot interview; I was worried I would have stumbled over my words! 

As the evening progressed, a couple of my friends were scouted, and asked to interview for the show. Very exciting! That's me, always the bridesmaid, never the bride... haha. Nevertheless, I throughly enjoyed drinking, dancing, and chatting the night away in great company. 

The dress code was 'Dress To Impress; Show Off Your Individual Style' so I opted for a rather summer evening appropriate ensemble, consisting of my bright floral dress from Urban Outfitters, paired with my Primark flatforms and River Island clutch. I also wore a bright red lip (Rimmel's Kate Moss No. 10) to tie in with the red roses on the dress. 

Overall I had a fantastic time, and who knows maybe I was mixing with future celebrities... 

Would you like to audition for a reality show? Let me know in the comments below...

Think Pink (Hair) !

I have crossed off 'Dye My Hair A Crazy Colour' on my never-ending bucket list; having delved into the world of unnatural shades. I opted for a light pink, as I have spent countless hours scrolling through my Tumblr dashboard with 'pink hair' in the search bar. I have wanted to try pink hair for a year or two now, but I never mustered up the courage to just do it. Hence this spur of the moment endeavor. I had popped into Boots with a friend, and while she was at the checkout I browsed the haircare aisle. The array of bright colours enticed me, so I picked up some bleach and pink hair dye, and threw caution to the wind.  

 The process was lengthier than we expected. My friend applied the 'Bleach London - Total Bleach' (7 pounds) to the roots of my hair, before running out. We realised we should have purchased a second box of bleach (this was on a Sunday evening may I add, so the following morning she ran out to get me another, thank goodness I did not need to be seen with my roots white blonde, fading to a light ginger, and then my natural brown. Not a pretty sight, I must admit). So the next day, we completed the bleaching process, with the help of a second box of bleach. At this point my hair was extremely blonde at the root, and the darkest blonde at the ends. It also had a ginger tint to it in places. This was due to my hair being quite dark at the beginning of the process. The dye (bleach) itself was of high quality in my opinion. 

Then we added the 'Bleach London, Rose' pink dye (5 pounds)to my hair. At this point I was nervous, as we had no idea how it would turn out. But after the suggested 15 minutes, I rinsed out the pink dye, and was in awe at the finished product. I loved it. I was genuinely thrilled at the result. I reminded myself of a unicorn (in the best way possible...) All the different tones the bleach had added to my hair (from the white blonde roots, to the darker tips) had given the pink some depth, and variations in shade. Although this was purely by chance, it appeared to have been created that way on purpose, giving the hairdo a professional vibe. 

Only used the 'Rose' on my hair.
The dye I used was a temporary dye, that claims to last 2-10 washes. This was perfect for a first attempt at daring colour; if I had disliked the result, it could wash out in a matter of hours. Mine lasted just under two weeks.The pink fades over the days, which I actually found quite exciting, as you have a slightly different hair colour each day.

I will definitely be dying it pink again in the next few days, although I an enjoying the blonde that has been left. I have also purchased a darker pink to test out, as well as purple and turquoise for future summer days. 

Have you been tempted to ditch the natural, and embrace the colours of the rainbow? Let me know in the comments below. x 

20 Random Beauty Questions Answered! (TAG)

I stumbled across these questions on the interweb, and decided to answer them. If you feel like jotting down your responses, leave your blog post in the comments below - I tag you! 

 Let's get down to the nitty gritty!

1. What is the one product you’d grab if your house was on fire?


Currently I would dive for my Ren Radiance Renewal Mask (reviewed here). It gives the skin a wonderful pick me up; creating a smooth, clear(er) and radiant base, which would be preferable if all my make-up had been burned to a crisp!

2. Which beauty vlogger would you want to do your makeover?


I would love Tanya Burr to give me a makeover. As a professional make-up artist, I think I would trust her the most in regards to knowing what would suit me the most, and actually applying it how she intended. Plus the range of looks she has demonstrated on her YouTube channel is extremely vast. Therefore she could possibly offer me numerous tips on creating different looks, while still remaining true to my style. 

3. What celeb do people think you look like?


Kirsten Dunst.  

4. What beauty product do you save for date night? 

 I don't save any products for special occasions. Make-up tends to last for a long while, so I use my favourite products often, to avoid letting them just sit there collecting dust. However, I would probably suggest a good lip scrub. My favourite at the moment is Mary Kay's Satin Lip Mask. 


5. Which of your guy friends takes longer than you to get ready? 

 To be honest I don't think any of them actually would take longer than me. 


6. If you could create your own miracle beauty product, what would it be?


A dark circle eraser, for the under-eye area. One that actually works, making the dark circles completely disappear. That would be a dream come true for me.  

7. What’s your best beauty tip?


To remain loyal to your nighttime routine. Take your make-up off, cleanse, tone and moisturise, without fail. I do not abide by these rules on occasion, but my skin is always happier when I stick to my routine.

 8. What beauty products do you love to splurge on?


Eye-shadow. I love palettes. The versatility a good palette can offer is extremely thrilling for me. The creation of many looks; day to night all from one source; how incredible. It makes playing around with different looks so easy yet fun. High quality is key to keeping your eye-shadow in place too. No-one wants fallout all over their face, so to splurge on eye-shadow is alright in my book.  

9. Which beauty vloggers would you bring on a shopping spree?


For beauty products I think Essie Button would be my choice, I always enjoy her passion for the products she discusses, plus I think we would have a good time too. In regards to shopping for clothes, I love Zoella's style. When watching her hauls, I often fall into the trap of wanting to purchase everything she has bought. Nevertheless, I would most like to go shopping with Jenn from 

'clothesencounters' on YouTube. Her style is unreal. The creative spin she puts on all her outfits is unrivalled, from what I've come across, and I would love her to recommend me pieces. I think it's safe to say I have a clothing crush...  

10. What is your signature scent?


I don't think I have one. I do not have a staple perfume, that must be in my collection at all times; I mix things up, when I run out of a scent. Currently I am sporting Jean Paul Gaultier's Classique Femme Eau de Toilette. 

11. I am on an endless quest for the perfect _________.


Concealer. I have a large collection of concealers; for blemishes and the under-eye area. Yet, none are my ideal companion. I am still on the hunt for the concealer that makes me stop buying more concealers. In actuality, you shouldn't need more than one blemish concealer, and one under-eye corrector. You want to create different appearances with foundation (dewy or matte), eye-shadow (neutral or smokey), and lipstick (bold or soft). Concealer is there to cover up unwanted skin issues- that is all. You should not need countless concealers. Yet here I am with a box full.  

12. How many beauty products does it take to get you ready?

This one has boggled my mind, thinking about the number of products that go on my face on a daily basis. From the use of my first product (face wash) in accordance with my typical morning routine, to my last product (finishing powder) when applying make up, I would say it takes the use of approximately eighteen products! That is whole load of items that just go on my face alone, from eye cream to primer, to blusher, to lipstick... the list goes on and on. 




13. What lipstick/lip gloss is in your purse right now?

I have checked, and it is H&M's lip-gloss in 'All I Want Is You', which is a deep berry colour.  

14. Who is your celebrity beauty icon? 

 Cheryl Cole. I think she is stunning. I would like to look like her please and thank you. 


15. Name the beauty brand you’d most love to be a spokesperson for?

Rimmel. Although working for a high-end brand would be nice for the perks of acquiring expensive make-up, and attending (possibly) more prestigious events; Rimmel is my favourite drugstore brand. I love all the products I have tried from them, it is the most frequent brand in my collection, and I just think they are a great brand for great prices.  

16. What’s your current nail polish? 

On my nails right now I have Rimmel's 60 Seconds Polish in the shade 'How Do You Lilac It?'. This is indeed a lilac. A pale shade of lilac; lovely for Spring-time. 

17. Fave mascara right now? 

A mascara not actually in my collection at the moment, but one I am going to repurchase soon, Maybelline's 'The Falsies'. I miss it being a part of my collection. Perfect for creating long and voluminous lashes, for the fraction of a high-end price.

18. The last thing you bought at Sephora? 

A Sephora Mineral Compact Foundation, but that has since ran out. It has been quite some time since I had a trip into Sephora.  

19. I try never to be seen without wearing _______.

Concealer. I think that was a pretty obvious answer, when glancing at my previous responses. It gives me confidence, covering up any less than ideal skin situations. 


20. What’s one beauty product you’d always recommend? 

One product I would recommend would be Rimmel's 'Wake Me Up' foundation. It is a lovely non-heavy coverage foundation, with a certain glow to it. Perfect for a little skin pick me up, if you prefer a dewy finish. I also do not find it to be too orange, or caking on the skin. Plus for less than ten pounds, it's a bargain. 

So, that is all folks! Thanks for reading, and let me know how many products you use to get ready in the morning in the comments below, or go the whole hog and complete the entire tag too; leave your link below, because I would love to read your responses... 

Bath & Bodyworks Candles (Mini) Haul!

 The scented deliciousness that is Bath & Bodyworks, never fails to drag me in by the nose. I picked up three candles, as there was an offer on, of three for two, to which I could not refuse. In the States these candles are $20 a piece. I always sniff practically every candle in the store, and then revert back to my staple scent of cinnamon. I do usually prefer heavier more winter-based scents, however this time since Spring has sprung I decided to travel outside my candle comfort zone a little, and chose more Spring appropriate candles.

I purchased 'Island Margarita', which reminds me of ripe apples and citrus fruit, that I typically find in shampoo scents. The green matches my kitchen, and with such a powerfully fresh scent, I thought it would be ideal for on the kitchen windowsill this spring-time.

The second candle I picked up was 'Beach Cabana' which follows the same theme, as the first. I can catch the hints of beach scents. To me though, it sort of smells like freshly laundered clothes drying in the sun, on a hot day. I find it amusing that I create these little scenarios in my head, that others would never patch together, all based on the scent of a candle. In addition, I adore the colour of the candle; the pale blueish mint combination will be perfect with my bedroom decor.

Finally I couldn't resist the more typical scent I am drawn to; 'Cinnamon Sugared Doughnut'. It certainly smells good enough to eat. For a girl who has given up all sweets, chocolate, and baked goods for Lent, this is the perfect smell to fill my room. It can also give the impression that you have been slaving away in the kitchen all day, baking treats, without you having to lift a finger. Although it may set off some real cravings! It is from the sweet shop collection, and I would love to try out some more from the range in the near future.

Have you treated yourself to a sweet shop scented candle recently? Let me know in the comments below...
    

Top To Toe Tips For Travelling!

I have a day of travelling ahead of me, as I am hopping on the coach to Heathrow (three coaches to be precise) where I've got a night flight to catch over to the Middle East. So I thought I would share with you, the outfit I am wearing. When I travel I like to be comfortable yet cute, so that's what I think I've gone for (or at least I hope so!). 

I opted for a pair of stretchy grey leggings from Zara, which work a little bit of magic in my opinion, they are incredible for sucking everything in! But remain really light and comfortable.  

 I would say my first tip is to layer. You don't know whether the plane/train/or automobile is going to be freezing cold, or super stuffy; the options layering gives you is you can bundle up in the cold or take a few off to keep cool. 

I have a black tank top tucked into my leggings, then a slightly cropped, textured mint jumper with half sleeves from Topshop, which is so soft and snuggly (yet spring appropriate too). Then I have a lightweight thin checked over-coat from River Island to pop on top, which is lengthy, therefore perfect for wearing over leggings. 

 My second tip is to wear shoes that are not only comfortable but allow easy access, for any security checks. I've been the girl who takes ages to get her boots off in the security que before; always a nightmare. Once one of them got stuck and lost in the x-ray machine, to the point where the airport staff were shouting "this lady has lost her boot!" "her what??" "HER BOOT! Have you seen it?". Rather embarrassing, to say the least.  

 Hence why I have gone for simple black, tasseled flats from Primark, as they slip on and off, no hassle whatsoever. 

 My third tip is to go without jewellery when traveling,in case it causes an issue when going through the metal detectors. So instead I recommend pairing the humble scarf with an outfit instead. It serves multiple purposes; it can be used to accessorize, to use as a light blanket, or even a substitute for a pillow. It also can add a pop of colour, pattern and style to your ensemble, without really trying. I have chosen a bright peach toned infinity scarf from River Island. The spring colours of both the scarf and the mint jumper underneath compliment each other nicely, whilst brightening up the whole outfit too.  

 My final travel tip would be to keep it simple. For example, I am not one to go without make-up when travelling, but I always stick with a natural look - "my lips but better",one eye-shadow shade rather than a whole eye-look, and hair in a secure but messy bun. It still gives me my confidence, but as it suffers the wear and tear of the long and hectic day it isn't as noticeable, so there isn't much need to carry a load of make-up with you in your carry on. I tend to pack all my make-up in my suitcase and just let it fade. Once I reach my destination I will have a proper wash and spruce up. 

That's it really, just a few simple steps to create a wearable outfit for travel. 
Are you going away anywhere nice this Spring? If so what are you planning on wearing? Let me know in the comments below... 

Empties! #2

This month's empties is a month of necessities. I somehow finished a number of everyday products this month, which is extremely satisfying, as some of these products I have had for months...

On the oral hygiene front I finished my Colgate Max White One (£3.99), I enjoyed the gentle nature of the mouthwash, and I do agree with the whitening properties, they aren't anything drastic, but certainly something productive. The product I have replaced it with is the Colgate Plax Whitening Anti-Bacterial Mouthwash (now that's a mouthful...).    

I also finally got to the bottom of my Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula Body Butter (£2.99). I am shocked looking up the price, as I got this bottle ages ago, and I'm surprised at how cheap it is for how great it is. I love this stuff; it's incredibly moisturizing, it smells lovely, and it really does the job well. I'm currently moisturising with the Lavender Steam Cream.    

I go through Batiste Dry Shampoo (£2.99) like nobody's business. I tried the cool and crisp fresh scent, which was lovely and light and clean smelling (if 'clean' had a specific scent...). I love using it on days I haven't washed my hair, as well as using it for adding a touch of texture into flat hair. I have now moved on to the sassy and daring wild scented Batiste (oh la la...).

I have found the holy grail of cotton pads. I realise how ludicrous that statement seems, but I kid you not, they are amazing. The Cotton Wool Double Faced Oval Pads from Boots (£1.89). They are fantastic. One side is a compact surface great for applying liquids, and the other consists of light texture developed to aid the application of creams and lotions. I have purchased more already.

I used up my Next Just Pink Perfume (£12). This was one of my first perfumes ever, and I pick it up every now and again. It is a refreshingly fruity scent; lovely for the Spring-time, and compared to a lot of perfumes on the market it is great value for money. I received another bottle for my birthday, so I am all stocked up.

I also emptied my supermarket-brand Carino Herbals Shampoo (99p). This lasted me forever. I always have two shampoos in rotation, so the hair does not get used to the product, and stop the positive effects. I have replaced it with Charles Worthington's Volume and Bounce Shampoo.

I used up some Simply Sensitive Boots Wipes (£1.86). They are nice fragrance-free wipes. Fuss-free. I've opened a new pack of No. 7 Wipes now.

I reluctantly finished Lierac Paris' Dark Circle Correcting Cream ($ 20). I just didn't see any difference in my under-eye area. I am on the search for a good eye cream that reduces dark circles and this just wasn't the ticket. I am currently trying out  Dr Organic's Organic Dead Sea Mineral Eye Rescue Rollerball.

I burnt up two candles both from Bath and Bodyworks ($20 each). One in 'Watermelon Lemonade', which is is a sweet summer scent, I enjoyed the scent filling the room. However, I prefer winter- based scents, 'Cinnamon Caramel Swirl' is a mix of both sweetness and warmth. Each scent, like all Bath and Bodyworks candles, are true to the names on the jar where scent is concerned. I can't wait to pick up some new ones to sniff. Right now I am burning Next's Just Pink Candle.

I finished two mascaras. Sephora's Advanced Lash Booster (£15.50), and Mac's Studio Fix Bold-black Lash (£14). Both help towards voluminous lashes and lengthen them greatly. I prefer the brush on the Mac mascara, the plastic end is excellent at separating lashes, and creating a fluttery look. I am currently using a Model Co. mascara now.

I quickly used up a sample size of Espa's Refining Skin Polish. The fine exfoliate cleansed my skin and made it feel silky smooth.I would certainly purchase a full size.

Finally I finished up my Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer (£4.19). I agree with the masses, that it is a good drugstore cover-up. Nonetheless I am still on the hunt for the ultimate drugstore concealer, that truly wows me. I picked up two new blemish covering concealers to try out; Rimmel's Hide The Blemish Concealer, and Seventeen's Miracle Matte Concealer Stick.  

Apologies for listing so many products, but it's satisfying being able to sift through my rubbish...that's slightly odd isn't it? haha.

What is a product you've finished lately that you would recommend or repurchase? Let me know in the comments below...