Monday 28 July 2014

July Favourites!

See, I told you I would be back! And here I am, with my favourite things from July. Now there's only about 7 things I have to write about this month, all of which are cosmetics. This is probably because I've been breaking the beauty law and neglecting my skin care. But I will pick up on that so prepare for loads of skin care related items being mentioned in the following month! July has been crazy as you probably noticed from my last post and now I am so psyched for August it's unreal! Without further ado here's what I've been relying on throughout July!

1: Rimmel London's Fix & Perfect PRO Primer 002.
I do love me a Rimmel primer I do, partially because they all smell like my grandma's face creams so it's really quite nostalgic when applying this. However this primer wins all the primer based battles for me as it's just everything I want in a product. This primer advertises a 5 in 1 result system, where it apparently smoothes (check), resurfaces (check), brightens (definite check), mattifies (check) and protects (not sure what it protects against but lets just say check for the hell of it, CHECK)! A little of this product goes an extremely long way as it has a very thin consistency. I apply this with my fingers as the norm with most primers and after around 20/30 seconds my skin feels so smooth to the touch, looks radiant and glowing along with a very visible reduction of fine lines and redness. When I use this I feel as though most days I can get away with a little concealer and that's it. If you're new to using primers I would definitely recommend this as I don't see how you can go wrong with it. I have used primers in the past that feel quite gel based and heavy on the skin which can be quite intimidating to a newbie and even to someone more experienced. This is now to be known as my safe bet primer, and is definitely already my go to primer for every day use!



2: Collection's Bronze Glow Mosaic Powder 02 Radiant.
If you are a huge hater of bronzers that leave your skin looking too brown, too orange or just generally dirty then this is the bronzer for you. I picked this up a few weeks ago and have used it every single day since. Seriously, there have been days where I've not even bothered with blush, just this. Summer is the perfect time for bronzer as everyone goes crazy for that sunkissed glow and this is the product to perfectly achieve it. It contains mosaic blocks of pearlescent browns and pinks which look perfect once applied. This is extremely similar to the MUA mosaic blush in the way it seems to adapt to the skin tone to create a totally different look for each different individual. Also for the cost of this, which was well under five pounds, you just can't go wrong. Definitely worth a try!



3: Loreal Paris' Color Riche Eyeshadow Primer.
This eyeshadow primer is one of those things that makes you feel like the heaven's have shined a damn holy light on you when you find it. You all know how much I love an eyeshadow primer and it seems as though every one I find raises the bar even higher for me. This one in particular is just phenomenal. I do find this a little tricky to use as it is such a thick formula and takes a while to blend. Personally I wouldn't apply this straight to the eye lid from the pencil, I like to apply it to my fingertips and rub gently so to warm it up and make it more manageable and workable. Also I've come to a slight breaking point with it as I haven't got a pencil sharpener large enough for it, as it is a jumbo pencil. Darn. However through all it's flaws it is one of those genius holy grail products. Once you manage to apply this the initial look is gorgeous and is a lovely 'wear alone' look for summer as it brightens the eyes to no end. If you want to wear this for it's intended purpose though I can tell you now you will not be disappointed. Generally my make up is one of the first things I do in a morning and so if I'm wearing eyeshadow it's usually on my face for a good 12+ hours, and as we all know make up does not like to be up that long! However this primer has honestly got some kind of super power where I can put eyeshadow on top of it and when I come to taking it off it still looks as precise and perfect as it did once applied. I think I can honestly say this primer has beaten all the odds for me and is my new favourite. Wow, top marks Loreal!



4: Maybelline New York's Super Stay 14 Hr Lipstick 180 Ultimate Blush.
Fruit. No I haven't gone insane, fruit is just the first thing you notice with this lipstick. As soon as you open the packaging you are hit with this scent wave of berries and sugar and all things gorgeous. I do not have any other lipstick that smells half as good as this and I am hoping that all the lipsticks in this range smell the same! If they do, I must buy them all! Getting down to the review side of things though you do have to question the whole 14 hour wear deal. Lipsticks wear so easily which is to be expected with eating, drinking and smooching! Honestly I feel like a bit of a silly sod as I haven't tested the wear of this very well. I have noticed the pigment doesn't fade for a very long time but that's about it. I will do a wear review in pictures for you soon though so we can test this out properly! Now the reason this is in my favourites is simply for the colour and formula, both of which are beautiful. The colour is so perfect for the summer months being highly pink but with gorgeous coral undertones and the formula is just amazing. It is so thick on the lips but not in an unpleasant manner at all. One thing I love about this is how hydrating it is as I cant deal with lipsticks that dry me out. This makes me feel like it is working as a lipstick and also a balm, sort of a two in one jobby. Over all this lipstick is just tops and I kind of cant wait to do a day review of it!



5: Collection's Work The Colour Lip Butter 02 Cappuccino.
Also on the lip front is this new lip butter by Collection (previously collection 2000). I have always struggled finding nudes that are right for me, however I think I have now found the perfect one. This is a nude with pink undertones which complements my pale skin very well bringing out any colour on my cheeks. The look it creates is quite sheer and very glossy but seriously pretty. I have two of these lip butters, this one and Vintage Rose and I can't get over how good they are. We all know Collection's prices are just to die for and so when they bring out a product as good a quality as this you have to dash out and pick one up! I absolutely love the feel of these on the lips which is very creamy however I've found this one is a lot more drying than my other one which is slightly devastating. Also you do need a few touch ups throughout the day but it's worth it for the look it creates. Collection seem to be really on point this summer bringing out all these new gorgeous products like these and the mosaic bronzers, although, what was that whole mardi  gras thing about? Weird.



6: Avon's Super Shock Gel Eyeliner Pencil.
I love this. Oh my days, I just love it. A gel eyeliner in the form of a kohl liner. Goodbye stupid gel liner pots and tiny angled brushes, hello easy precise winged liner with 0% effort! This formula is outstanding! Avon have really hit the bullseye with it, making it so well. The liner itself is just an absolute dream to use, being a very soft creamy texture that dries in seconds leaving you with smudge proof wet looking eyeliner. I love this with a smoky eye or alone as a gorgeous feline flick! Honestly this eye liner is so versatile as it can be applied alone, over eyeshadow without clumping up or dragging the skin, and even on the waterline/tightline without budging all day! To be honestly I don't really pick up other kohl liners anymore, just felt tip ones if I'm in a hurry as I have found nothing really beats the look this gives. Professionalism at home, by beginners!



7: Makeup Academy's Eyeshadow Pallet, Undressed.
First up let me take you through the names of the 12 shadows as that's my favourite thing about these pallets. (Top Row Left to right) Puff, Rose ash, Fawn, Gild, Hazel, Lion. (Bottom Row Left to Right) Bronze ore, Burnished brown, Tawny, Henna, Fuel, Cool grey.
Awesome names for equally awesome eyeshadows. I've spoke about MUA products before, including another eyeshadow pallet. Through all my experience of MUA I have not once been let down by them. This eyeshadow pallet was £4 meaning each eyeshadow costs less than 50p each. If you can complain about that then there is something seriously wrong with you. The quality of all the eyeshadows is simply remarkable. They are very highly pigmented, they don't budge easily, there's very little fall out and they work together exceedingly well blending in complete union with each other. This pallet is mainly neutral being almost solely pinks and brown (with the two odd greys at the end) making it perfect for every day use. There is a range of matte colours, shimmery colours and metallic colours which is such good value for your money. I have been loving using this pallet throughout July. My favourite colours are Gild, Henna and Bronze ore and are probably the ones I have used most. Again this is a very versatile product as there are so many ways to use it. Personally I like to create smoky eye looks with shadow used as liner along my bottom eye lid, or sometimes if I'm in a hurry I will just use one colour as a wash over my lids. Whatever you like to do with eyeshadow I would recommend picking up a few MUA pallets, especially if you are a beginner as they're just so affordable and such great quality!




Now as promised it's time for my favourite INSTAGRAMMER of the month. This months winner is....

LINZILOU92



Linzi's feed is just wonderful, I love looking through her photos time to time and admiring her goods! haha! She seems to have a really keen eye for what's 'hot' in the beauty industry right now, and I cant help but be envious of her passion for nails. I wish I had that in me! Also what's odd is we have exactly the same amount of followers! Oooooh, strange! I highly suggest that you go and follow her as she's a lovely lovely lass, who isn't scared of a chat either!
Linzi's Instagram Here!

My favourite photo of hers from this month is easily this one. You've gotta love a bit of the Depp now haven't you! Also, Sleepy Hollow is just the best film! Much adoration!


Until next time
Much Love, G x

Friday 25 July 2014

A little insight.

So here we are again, where I've disappeared from blogging and now I'm writing up my 'apology'. Today however isn't so much an apology as is more a little insight into what's going on and why I've been AWOL. There's a lot to explain, so let's do it in stages.

1: The Relationship Fail.
As some of you will know I have been with a boy for just under a year now and up until a few weeks ago we were even engaged. What came of that? A messy hurtful breakup. You see I honestly thought this boy was 'the one' and so for the past year I have put all my efforts in to affecting him, mostly pleasing him but often to piss him off too when he'd hurt me, which was more than you'd expect. He is the sort of guy who feels like he has utter control in a relationship meaning the past year has consisted of him deciding when we're on and when we're off. Stupidly, I let him thus giving him this power and control. But as they say 'all good things come to an end' and this finally has. Unfortunately by trying to give him what he wanted all year I put some of the most important people to me after him. I've always said sisters before misters, chicks before dicks (or any other innuendoes that come to mind) but this time I didn't stick to my own wisdom and really I should have lost a lot of people through that. Luckily all my loved ones are still there for me, even more so now that I need them, even though I don't deserve their support. I was so consumed by my love for this boy that I have honestly forgotten who I am and what's important to me meaning there is a huge battle ahead where I have to remember. Anyway to put it bluntly, boy decided we were off and so I finally grew some lady balls and told him we would NEVER be back on and I'd like to think I meant it. So now I'm adjusting to life as a single lady (now put ya hands up!) and I'm finding it a bit of a struggle as it's honestly quite weird going from seeing someone every day to not at all. It doesn't help that less than a week later he got himself a new girlfriend and tried setting me up with some random Vietnamese fellow that can't speak English but hey, moving on and such!

2: Working with anxiety?
Aside from the relationship fail I've also been failing within my work. Yes being a retail assistant isn't my dream job but it's an income, a source to pay the bills etc. However trying to juggle anxiety, depression, a full time job and a relationship just means stress overload. I was managing most of the time, admittedly I have had a little time off work on sick due to my panic attacks, but I seemed to be on the mend. My last panic attack was in late Feb/ early March of this year so I had gone a whole five months without one which was honestly the best feeling ever to me. The last month or so however things seem to have taken a turn for the worst, and I mean the genuine worst. It has got so bad that I have lost a total of 3 stone since my heaviest through stress alone. That along with having comments made about my appearance by a colleague, losing an old friend, splitting up with boy and being generally confused as to where I am in life has all gotten on top of me. Which leads me on to...

3: This morning!So, this morning I broke. Not to the extent that you may think where I was rocking back and forth speaking in tongues, no. But I woke up and whilst getting ready for work I had a panic attack. Yep, they're back and they're back with a vengeance. I powered through it however and got myself to work with a positive outlook on the day. That quickly vanished. About an hour or so into the day all I could think about was quitting or getting out of there somehow, my anxiety had hit its' peak and I can honestly say I have never been as nervous. My stomach was churning and I was shaking like hell. The worst thing about it is that I don't know why. There was nothing that set me off, it just begun and continued. Luckily my area manager was there and after speaking with my (outstanding) mum, I knew I had to go back on sick. Which brings us to right now. Me sat at home writing this feeling like utter rubbish. I have been prescribed Diazepam for the short term and have an appointment on Thursday to get some medication for the long haul of this. Hopefully I will overcome my anxiety and my depression but right now my mind set is falsely in a place where I'm not so sure I ever will. I'm not afraid to say that I'm scared shitless for myself. However I was told not to think about negatives but to concentrate on the good things that can come from the bad. So....

1: The relationship WIN!I am now completely free, untied and released from boy meaning I can start a fresh. I no longer have to please anyone but myself and those who genuinely matter to me. Who knows, maybe one day I'll even meet a nice new boy who will treat me like a human being! I know I said I have forgotten who I am/was but there's beauty in that. It means I can find myself and make myself into someone who I absolutely love. I'm going to leave the past in the past and get on with my new self and my new life and I'm going to thoroughly enjoy it! Hell, I might even dye my hair blonde!

2: Working with MANAGED anxiety!I cannot wait to be able to say I have managed anxiety and controlled depression. Although I'm in that pessimistic mind set there is absolutely no reason as to why those two things aren't achievable and I know that if I give it the time and patience that I need to give it I will get there and I will be one hell of a proud person for doing so! When it comes to work right now I'm still unsure what to do. I know I need to be on sick for a while but whether I will go back to that job, or go ahead and start my own MUA business I don't know. But I figure I have all the time in the world to decide.

3: Forthcoming!One day I will look back on this post and be in disbelief that I ever felt so shoddy. One day there will be no doubt in my mind that I am fully better and well. One day I wont love boy anymore but I will love myself wholeheartedly. One day I will be a successful woman and I will have made everyone who loves me and myself extremely proud. One day I'll be over this..


I may be a tad unwell at the moment, but I am monumentally determined to make something of myself. In terms of this blog it will kick off again. Probably with a July favourites post. You know, when you stop seeing someone every day you have a hell of a lot of time on your hands to do with whatever you want. And with me, thanks browsing the magical world of make up! I've found many new things this month and fallen for them hard, so keep your eyes out for that in the next few days.
If anyone at all has any questions about my situation or wants advice on theirs then do not hesitate to speak up even for a second. I feel a massive part of getting through hard times is communication so please do be a part of that!
Until next time

Much love, G x