MAKEUP/BEAUTY STORAGE ON A BUDGET

Hello everyone! So buying makeup, skincare and beauty products in general can be fun, until you are overloaded with products and are stuck on what, where or how to store them. A lot of storage units can be super expensive but there are also some more affordable alternative ways to store your products, from organisers to drawers and diy storage. With that in mind i thought i would share an updated beauty storage on a budget post...

- makeup/wash bags

If you are only just starting out growing a selection of products, travel a lot or you just like to keep your products down to the bare essentials then a makeup/wash bag is going to be the type of storage for you. You can pick these up from pretty much anywhere and i have bought my fair share over the years, that being said i always gravitate back to something that is transparent or transparent with a design. The reason for that is because they are not only easy to see what product you are looking for, rather than rooting through messing everything up but also because they are easier to keep clean and you can simply just give them a wipe out, from time to time.

-makeup/wash bags under £20

1. skinnydip dazzle washbag (travel must-have) £18 | click to shop |

2. skinnydip sugarpop washbag (don't forget shop sales) £11.20 | click to shop |

3. skinnydip peachy makeup bag (something smaller) £14 | click to shop |

4. primark nude makeup bag (all under £5) £3 | click to shop |

5. primark neon lime washbag (love the neon trend) £4 | click to shop |

6. amazon clear toiletry bag (perfect for travel) from £3.74 | click to shop |

7. amazon clear makeup bag with design (skinnydip dupes) £6.99 | click to shop |

8. monki colour block makeup case (shop asos sale) £9 |click to shop |

- acrylic storage, organisers + diy storage

So if you collection is slightly or significantly larger and requires more than a makeup bag (as mine does), then you can opt for so many different ways to store/organise your makeup. In the past picking up a good set of acrylic drawers or storage box would definitely break the bank, but now you can actually get your hands on some for a lot less. If you already have a drawer/drawers and are just looking for something to divide or categorise your products, then drawer organisers are going to work for you and you can pick them up for a small amount of money or even diy your own at home for even less. 

9. osco acrylic chest with 5 drawers and flip lid (amazon) £19.99 | click to shop |

10. osco acrylic chest with 3 drawers and flip lid (amazon) £10 | click to shop |

11. beautify large 5 drawer (i love this brand) £39.99 | click to shop |

12. zoeva classic brush holder (beautybay find) £10.50 | click to shop |

13. ikea divider for pull-out drawer (different sizes) £10 | click to shop |

14. makeup box organiser with display (eBay find) £13.99 | click to shop |

15. beautify acrylic drawers (smaller version) £19.99 | click to shop |

16. toothbrush holders for brushes/lip liners or pencils (h&m) £6 | click to shop |

Catch up on my previous post: here

xo.

APRIL MUST-BUYS: SPRING CLOTHING + ACCESSORIES

Hello everyone! So Spring is officially here and the weather in the UK had really started to pick up, that being said the last couple of days have not been Spring-like whatsoever. That being said i have still been picking up a few bits for the Spring/Summer season and with that in mind, for today's post i thought i would share with you some of my must-buys for the month of April...

1. i saw it first leopard print button through shirt | click to buy |

So first up i ended up picking this leopard shirt up a couple of weeks ago, as i had spotted it by chance and i had been looking for something like this to add to my wardrobe for a while now. I am pretty sure i have never ordered from isawitfirst until recently and i will definitely be looking on their site in the future, as i was really impressed with the quality, price and shipping time. 

2. primark grey button crop vest top | click to buy |

I mean who doesn't love a good basic piece? I know i do and i am always buying basic tops to go with different outfits, which Primark seem to being nailing the basics recently. I love this rib effect button crop vest top, which comes in grey and also a blush pink type of colour also. These look great paired with a pair of high wasted jeans, jacket and trainers for the perfect casual outfit. 

3. mac matte lipstick in the shade kinda sexy | click to buy |

Next up is my go-to lipstick at the moment and one that is perfect for spring but also goes with pretty much anything, which is perfect for everyday wear. This isn't a new purchase for me but if you are looking for a new lipstick that is spring perfect, i would definitely recommend picking this shade up. Kinda Sexy is this beautiful neutral almost peachy-pinky rose nude shade, with a matte formula that is comfortable to wear and long-wearing. 

4. primark lime biker jacket | click to buy |

So this particular item is one that i am yet to pick up but i really want to, as i am obsessed with this colour at the moment. I had seen is last month and wish i had picked it up then, as when i went back last week my Primark had non of my size or close to my size left. That being said i did pick up a new denim jacket which was a complete bargain at just £13, so if you are looking for a new jacket i definitely say go and look in your Primark store, as they have so many great pieces!

5. matalan animal print cross strap sliders | click to buy |

Funny story about me picking up these sandals/sliders from Matalan, as i barely ever buy anything from Matalan unless it is homeware. I was actually looking for a new pair of slippers (boring i know) and i found a pair on the site, then i also spotted these on the new-in section and i thought these would look nice with a pair of light wash jeans (when it is sandal weather obviously). They actually have a great selection of sandals/sliders this year and they are super affordable.

6. bluebooth white wireless earbuds | click to buy |

For the longest time i have been wanting a pair of wireless earbuds but i am not about spending £100+ on a pair of headphones, then i actually got informed that you can get pairs that are super similar/almost identical for a lot less from Amazon and that sold me straight away. The sound quality is as good if not slightly better than the regular Apple headphones, they are easy to connect and the battery life is really good also. These make working out so much easier!

7. missguided blue sinner clean distressed skinny jeans | click to buy |

So i think i have actually saved my favourite buy until last, as these have got to be my new favourite pair of jeans as they fit like a glove, they are super comfy and as i am short the S length leg fits me perfectly. These jeans would look great paired with the sliders from Matalan, what i did already pair them with is the leopard shirt from isawitfirst. 

Catch up on my previous post: here

xo.

MARCH MUST-BUYS | CLOTHING, HOMEWARE + ACCESSORIES

Hello everyone and Happy March! I don't know about anyone else but i am super excited for this month, mainly because we are going to be finally saying goodbye to the cold weather and hello to spring (fingers crossed). Also with Spring being just around the corner, it is definitely the month to add some spring/summer pieces to my wardrobe...

1. prettylittlething black printed tupac hand t-shirt | click to buy |

So first of all i just want to put it out there that Pretty Little Thing have so many great pieces new-in/on the site in general and so much so, i ended up placing two separate orders. One of my favourite things i picked up is this Tupac t-shirt, i love not only the style of the t-shirt but also the contrast of black t-shirt with the filter on the print and i just think it is such a beautiful photograph in general. I love how this t-shirt looks with some leather look jeans, you can either tuck the t-shirt into your bra to make it slightly cropped, into the top of your jeans or wear as normal and for only £15 the quality of the t-shirt is really nice.

2. prettylittlething blush stitch detail cross body bag | click to buy |

Another Pretty Little Thing piece is this beautiful blush stitch chain cross body bag, i love how just by simply adding this bag to an outfit will instantly turn your look into something spring appropriate. This bag is the perfect bag to take out with you when you obviously don't need to carry a bunch of things as it is pretty small, but just for going out for lunch, dinner or a night out it is perfect. You can definitely style this bag up or down too.

3. prettylittlething grey girl you got this t-shirt | click to buy |

Ok this is the last Pretty Little Thing item, i swear ha ha! Another "slogan" t-shirt that i picked up the same time as i did the Tupac t-shirt is this grey girl you got this t-shirt. This t-shirt is part of their new everyBODYinPLT collection, which consists of so many nice woman inspired slogans from t-shirts to sweatshirts/hoodies and joggers. 100% of profits going to the charity WAGGGS.

4. h&m home gold window-shaped mirror | click to buy |

Moving away from clothing for a minute and heading into homeware mode. I have loved this style of mirror for so long now but every single one that i have seen in-store/online have been super expensive and then by magic, i was just looking on the new-in section at H&M and i came across one just the same yet this is super affordable at just £24.99.

5. primark lilac cami | click to view |

As well as Pretty Little Thing, another place that i have recently picked more than a handful of things up from is Primark and their new-in section is full of great pieces. Something they have a lot of in-store is these basic cami tops for just £4 and they come in so many different colours, as well as a few different patterned ones. I love how easy these are to throw on and how you can style them with a jacket for spring and worn alone in summer.

6. primark sea salt mist candle | click to view |

Next up is actually a candle that i featured in my recent spring candles for 2019 post, which if you didn't catch first time around you can catch up here. This particular candle from Primark featured in the post and is the perfect spring candle and for just £2 it is an absolute bargain, pretty much like all of the candles in Primark.

7. primark black cami bodysuit | click to view |

Also from Primark clothing-wise is something that i picked up at the end of January and loved so much that i went back to pick up another, that being this black ribbed cami strap bodysuit. They now do this particular bodysuit in several different colours, as well as a striped one that i picked up. Bodysuits are such a great staple to add to your wardrobe if you want to go for that tucked in look, with either a skirt or a pair of jeans. What i like the most about this particular one is how nice/comfortable it is to wear, how it has poppers to make going to the bathroom a lot easier than getting undressed and also how amazing the quality is for only £4.

8. missguided rose gold dome stud gladiator sandals | click to buy |

Finally we have a pair of sandals, yes you read right sandals! Even though it might seem a little early yet to think about wearing them, it is never too early to pick yourself up a good pair and even more so before all of the sizes all go out of stock. Once again this year Miss Guided have dropped their "valentino dupe" style sandals which i have loved for the last couple of years, i have them already in nude and black but this year they come in rose gold and of course i just needed them ready for the summer months this year.

Catch up on my previous post: here

xo.

SPRING CANDLES FOR 2019

Hello everyone! I don't know about you but i am so over winter now and i am ready for the spring/summer months now, especially as over the last few days we have had some lovely sunshine in the UK. Something we tend to switch up as well as our wardrobe for the new upcoming season is our candle scents, which personally i love spring/summer scents more than winter scents. With that in mind for today's post i thought i would share my favourite scents for spring/summer 2019...

1. next spa retreat candle | click to shop |

First up we have this spa retreat scented candle by Next, which i must say they have so many different scents available at the moment and the majority of them are under £10. I love calming scented candles in the spring/summer, especially if they have those beach-y notes to them in the form cedarwood. I also love all of the packaging of the Next candles, as they are simple yet they all have that luxury look to them.

2. skandinavisk OY scented candle | click to shop |

As well as their own brand candles, Next also stock a wide range of branded candles and this candle really caught my eye. OY is apparently Norwegian for Island, which is a perfect name as the scent of this candle is also giving me those very beach/ocean vibes. I love also how neutral/sleek the packaging of their candles are, even if they aren't the cheapest at £29 but you are getting a 45+ hour burn time sized jar.

3. primark sea salt mist candle | click to shop |

Sticking with the spring beach vibes, this time though a absolute bargain of a candle costing just £2 for a 55 hour burn pillar. Primark stores are always fully stocked with a wide range of scents, pillar candles, jars and tea lights. This particular candle also comes in another spring appropriate peony, perfect for anyone who loves a floral scent.

4. yankee candle seaside woods candle | click to shop |
Of course a candle post wouldn't be complete without something from my favourite candle brand, yes you got it Yankee Candle and they have some great new releases for Spring. Starting things off with this new seaside woods scented candle, which is that perfect spring cosy evening time scent because of its fresh, yet slightly fruity and floral notes.

5. yankee candle market blossoms candle | click to shop |
Another new-in by Yankee Candle is this market blossoms candle, which is in fact only a limited edition item so if you are into those fresh yet still floral and slightly sweet scents then i would pick one of these up sooner rather than later. I love the combination of all the notes in this candle, as it is the best of both worlds.

6. the white company seychelles candle | click to shop |
Finally and probably saving one of my favourite more luxury candle/scents until last and one that i will love the scent of all year round, not just for spring. This particular scent is the perfect mix between fresh and sweet, as it has the freshness from the bergamot and the sweetness comes from the coconut, vanilla and almond. If you are ever looking to splurge of a more high-end candle, i would definitely recommend The White Company or Neom.

Catch up on my previous post: here

xo.

MONDAY MOTIVATION | WORKOUT CLOTHING/ACCESSORIES

Hello everyone and welcome back to another instalment in my "monday motivation" series! For last weeks post i shared my go-to Spotify playlist, which was filled with a lot of the music that i listen to when it comes to working out. Which made me think for this weeks instalment i thought i would share selection of my favourite workout clothing/accessories, because as well as having music to listen to when working out you also need clothes to wear whilst doing just that (unless you are sometimes an at home in your underwear kind of person)...

When it comes to buying workout clothing/accessories just like normal shopping in general, you don't have to break the bank to do just that. So before i get into sharing some of my favourite pieces, i thought i would add a few tips for when it comes to shopping for workout pieces.

- always look for discount codes before ordering online

- when looking for a specific item shop around for the best price first

- a lot of high-street stores do great more affordable alternatives to larger brands

- shop sales

- only buy what you feel comfortable in

1. primark sports wear | click to view |

If you are looking for something super affordable yet still great quality, then Primark is your place to go for workout clothing this year. I have picked up a selection of things since last month and i am so surprised how great they are, as well as how many different cool patterns/styles they have. Personal favourites for me are the sports bras which start from just £4.

blush sports bra | blush crop top | black sports bra | stripe sports bra 

2. amazon limited edition fitbit versa fitness tracker | click to shop |

Next up for me a personal favourite for when it comes to actually tracking not just your steps and fitness but also your sleep/day-today activity. I have the white and rose gold FitBit Versa, which is an exclusive to Amazon edition. I love how sleek the watch it, as well as the fact it goes with anything i wear. My favourite features (which you can keep a track on via the app). FitBit's are a lot less expensive than investing in an Apple Watch, but you can also get cheaper alternatives to both brands.

3. adidas three stripe performance tights | click to buy |

When it comes down to actual clothing/leggings for workout, i am an Adidas fan as i just feel like the fit me perfectly more so than other bigger brands. You can shop Adidas and other larger brands like Puma and Nike also for less at places such as Sports Direct, where they have sales on regular as well as mix and match for so much offers and this is both online and in-stores.

4. hydrateM8 water tracker bottle | click to shop offer |

Working out or doing any form of exercise always makes you feel dehydrated, plus you should always drink a larger amount of water every single day if you want to stay on track health-wise and it has so many benefits. For me personally a HydrateM8 water tracker has helped me keep on top of how much i am drinking and i always drink three of these full per day. At the moment HydrateM8 have a special Valentine's Day off on, where you can pick them up on a buy one, get one free offer. Whether you want to pick up two for yourself, or go halves with someone you know, this is such a great deal not to pass up.

5.  adidas three stripe bra | click to buy |

Another Adidas piece i love is this particular sports bra, as i do love a good co-ord/matching set even when it comes to my workout clothes. You can also shop Adidas bra's/other pieces on Surfdome, which i mentioned in my previous post, where i shared my february must-buys.

6. puma core overhead hoodie | click to shop offer |

Finally we have a hoodie which i picked up last month, the reason being is it is so cold at the moment you need to layer up before and after workouts. I love this particular hoodie, although i would recommend sizing up one if you like things a little more oversized. It is currently on offer on the JD Sports website for just £30 instead of £45 and comes in black or grey. 

Catch up on my previous "monday motivation" post: here

xo.

SUMMER FAVOURITES | BEAUTY, LIFESTYLE, STYLE + MORE

Hello everyone! Seeing as autumn is fast approaching us and it is safe to say we have said goodbye to summer for another year, i thought for today's post i would do something a little bit different. The something different being an end of summer favourites type of post, to make up for the fact i haven't posted a "monthly favourites" post in a couple of months now. I have so many favourites from the whole of summer, from beauty products to clothing, accessories, music, movies and books...

1. ps bronze dewy glow face + body butter

Kicking things off with probably one of my favourite beauty finds of the summer, which is crazy as it is a super affordable product. Cream highlighters have been an essential part to my everyday makeup routine this summer, as they are super lightweight on the skin yet they still give you that beautiful/healthy sun-kissed glow. One thing that really made this product a summer favourite (glow aside) was the fact it is coconut scented and what makes a product more summer appropriate than that? 

2. topshop onara lattice white cross body bag

Next up is an accessories favourite of mine from this summer, in the form of this small white cross body bag from Topshop that i picked up for just £10, when they had 25% off a few months ago (not available anymore). This bag has been perfect to pair with so many different summer outfits, especially for going out for a more casual yet still dressy dinners. One of my favourite things about this bag is even though it is super small and compact, you still had a central section to put your money and cards in securely/hidden without needing to pack a purse.

| featured cream highlighter post | featured cross body bag post |

3. nude nails

This next favourite can be an all year round favourite of mine, but even more particularly this summer and that is of course nude nails. I just love how natural they look, they go with every single outfit you are going to wear and i just don't ever get bored of them. That being said i could never narrow it down to just one (even though i do have a top favourite which is included) and i have found myself reaching for a selected few this summer. The nude nail polishes are rimmel 60 seconds let's get nude, barry m gelly hi shine peanut butter, barry m speedy winning streak and of course essie spin the bottle.

4. summer music favourites

This summer i have been loving a lot of music, from the music that i listen to on an everyday basis and then also the music that keeps me motivated during workouts. I always listen to my music on Spotify which is perfect to keep track on what music is new, as well as making your own playlists and also listening to other already made playlists. Some of my favourite playlist's made by Spotify are the this is: playlist's, as well as the release radar playlist which is tailored to suit the style of music that you personally listen to.

| this is: dvsn playlist | this is: majid jordan playlist | are & be playlist |

5. my summer reads

This summer i have read so many books, well like i have been doing for the most of the year as i made it one of my new years resolutions, to read as many books as possible this year. Of course i have some of my ultimate favourite reads from the summer, starting with Driven. I loved every single page of all three books from the Driven series, which i mentioned i wanted to read before the series was released in movie/tv series form on Passionflix. Next up and two books part of a two book series by my favourite author and that is of course Jodi Ellen Malpas and her fantastic Smoke & Mirrors series (The Controversial Princess and His True Queen). 

6. protein world slender blend

I have mentioned how this year i have been super motivated and have been a lot stricter with my diet and my lifestyle. One product that i have been loving reaching for a lot to help with that this summer is the Slender Blend protein powder from Protein World, as it is not only a perfect quick meal especially after a workout but also great for adding into smoothies or even porridge. The Slender Blend is packed full of protein, fibre and is also low in sugar, calories and fat.

| august must-buys post | six books to binge-read this month post |

xo.

WHAT TO PACK IN YOUR SUMMER HOLIDAY MAKEUP BAG

Hello everyone! So back at the start of summer i first shared a drugstore beach holiday makeup post, which focused mainly on more "day/beach" makeup products and not evening time/multi purpose products. With that in mind for today's post, i thought i would put a spin on things and share with you more of a must-pack post...

1. choose wisely when picking a makeup bag

Tip number one and probably one of the most important ones is, when it comes to choosing a makeup bag to take away with you. Personally i always use the ones from Skinnydip, as you can not only fit a large amount into a compact space, you can also see what you are searching for yet the designs are still really nice.

2. save space + pack mini/travel size products

This doesn't just apply to makeup but also toiletries like shower gels, shampoos and toothpastes. Although an important one for me is mini sized skincare products, which you can picks up in sets/gift with purchases or free as a beauty counter and i like to save them for when i am travelling anywhere. This is such a great way of taking all the products you are going to need, as well as saving space and not wasting product. 

3. skincare/hydrating products

Kind of sticking with the skincare mini/travels theme, a must pack for summer holiday is your skincare and more specifically hydrating products. The reason being is as you are more likely going to be in the sun a lot, you are going to want to re-hydrate your skin and add moisture back in from what the sun has soaked up.

4. different shades of foundation

This is a must pack thing for me also and that is two different shades of foundation, as at the start of the holiday you are obviously going to be less tanned than you will be during the mid-end of your holiday and that is where the darker shade will come in. Also by having two different shades, if you are an in-between shade you can simple mix a little of the two together to create a shade that matches you.

5. opt for a liquid highlighter/more natural highlighter

Wearing a liquid/cream highlighter on holiday is much more light weight than layering multiple products, also you are probably going to want to opt for something a little more natural (especially if it is humid in the evenings) nobody wants to be a shine-y mess.

6. setting powder/setting spray

Talking of a shine-y mess, another must pack item is definitely setting powders and setting sprays. Not only will this keep your makeup from moving around during the evening, but it will also keep you shine free and this even applies to me being a normal-dry skin type (so if you are more of and oily skin type you are definitely going to want to touch up). Setting sprays will also add another layer of shine protection, as well as hydrating your skin and allow you to feel a little more refreshed.

7. multiple lip products + different shades

I am all about the nudes but when it comes to being on holiday, you are going to want to be sassy from time to time and wearing a brighter/different coloured lip. A lot of lip products are super sleek/compact packaging wise, so you can afford to pack a handful if you wanted to (as long as you have different options).

8. opt for sleek/smaller packaged products

Finally and still talking about packing multiple products, you are also want to be wise about what size of product you are going to take. Definitely ditch your bulky eyeshadow/cheek palettes for the week and opt for something sleeker or smaller, this way you are freeing up space for other key essential products.

Catch up on my previous post HERE...

xo.

AUGUST MUST-BUYS | CLOTHING, FOOD, MOVIES + MORE

Hello everyone and Happy August! With it being a new month means only one thing, it is time for another instalment of monthly must-buys. This month i have a good selection of must-buy items from fashion to food and even tv/movies, as well as some upcoming/things i want to pick up ASAP...

1. protein world slender blend | £31.99 (1.2KILO) |

So first up i recently decided to pick up some of the slender blend, as i had been wanting to give it a try for a while now and i thought it would be perfect for something super quick (meal replacement perfect for breakfast time) yet was full of  good stuff. I actually picked mine up whilst they had money off on the site so this huge size only cost £22.99 yet it is usually £31.99 and you get 30 servings out of it. They also come in a wide range of flavours but i decided to just try simple vanilla to begin with, although i do have my eye on chocolate mint.

2. prettylittlething tan large wooden structured clutch | £35 |

If you follow me on Instagram then you might have seen my stories earlier in the week, sharing a few of my favourite things on PLT at the moment and this bag is definitely one of them. I have mentioned in a few different style related posts about how obsessed i am with the whole wooden/wicker bag vibes right now, what makes this one different is you can also pick one up in either black or white and of course the traditional wood colour.

3. primark beauty coconut body scrub | £3 |

When it comes to shower gels, body lotions and scrubs i am all for anything and everything coconut scented, so naturally when i spotted that Primark now have a coconut body scrub i was going to be excited. The scent of this is literally giving me all of the summer holiday/beach vibes and for just £3, what a bargain must-have product to have in your shower this August.

4. boohoo basic swing cami | £5 |

I am always picking up new basic tops as you can never have enough, as they are so good for day to day wear with a pair of jeans. I had tried the cami tops like this from Boohoo before and i wasn't that much of a fan but i am pretty sure they have recently changed them, for the better! I recently picked up a couple, one in black and one in this beautiful mustard colour.

5. topshop panther quilted shoulder bag | £29 |

Ooops another bag, but i am honestly such a sucker for Topshop bags and when i saw this new-in on the site i was just instantly in love. I know we have another month or so left of summer but i think this will make a great transition into autumn bag, re-introducing my favourite a/w colour....black of course!

6. silk fred black leather biker jacket | £49.99 |

So if you have read a few of my posts recently/have been keeping up, then you will probably know that this year i have become a lot more healthy in my lifestyle choices and with that of course i have lost weight. I actually picked up a brand new leather jacket from MissGuided earlier in the year but obviously once the warm weather hit, i wasn't reaching for it anymore. That being said when i did try it on a few days ago, i couldn't believe how much bigger it was on me and i definitely need a smaller sized one. There are always so many different black leather jackets to choose from online/in-stores but at this moment in time, this Silk Fred number is definitely my favourite (well favourite one out of those you don't need a mortgage for).

7. mister tonight kindle book by Kendall Ryan | £2.99 |

Once i had finished my current read, i was browsing through the kindle book store for inspiration on what to read next and i decided to give something a go by Kendall Ryan. I have heard of the author a lot before yet i hadn't read anything buy her and ever since finishing Mister Tonight in just two nights, it definitely left me wondering why i haven't read her books before. The way her books flow, how easy they are to get into is just perfect, i am also currently reading another book by her which i will be talking about in a post coming soon...

8. passionflix | $5.99 / £4.60 per month |

I have spoken about my love for the Passionflix movie service for almost a year now ever since it launched, as it is something that i personally subscribe to also and love. The idea of Passionflix is turning romance books into movies/tv shows, which who doesn't love seeing some of their favourite books turned into film? Getting to the point in just one week, the first tv series to the site will be released (the first three episodes) and that is Driven. Driven is a book series that i have mentioned over the past couple of months, which i decided to read as i hadn't done so already before it was released on screen. I never expected this series to be one of my favourites i have ever read, which has me even more excited to binge watch on release day! 

Catch up on last month's must-buys post HERE...

xo.

MY EVERYDAY MAKEUP IN JULY | NATURAL + GLOW-Y

Hello everyone! Seeing as the weather has been super hot recently (hot for the UK anyway), i have been all about still looking put together when it comes down to my everyday makeup routine in July but i have tried to keep the products down to the minimum. If you saw my recent things i'm loving from Superdrug right now post then you will have read me talking about how i haven't really picked up anything new recently, except for the few new items in that post and a lot of the products i have been using everyday are ones from my collection already, with the addition of a couple of newer products of course...

maybelline fit me matte + poreless foundation in the shade 220

So once i have completed my morning skincare routine and spritzed on some facial spray, i go straight in with foundation as the facial spray i use can be used as both a primer and a setting spray. If you have read my posts for a while you will already know that this foundation is a favourite of mine, as it is one of those foundations that would survive pretty much anything and ticks all of the boxes (sweat-proof, waterproof, long-wearing, great coverage and lightweight).

ps my perfect colour liquid concealer in the shade nude beige

This concealer has been a favourite of mine for the last few months and it is actually pretty similar to the Maybelline Fit Me concealer, except this one is even more affordable. The main thing for me when it comes to choosing/liking a concealer, is that they always have to be hydrating under the eyes and this one is just that. I actually prefer this concealer to a lot of the more high-end concealers i have tried and used over the years, which is insane as this concealer is only £2.

bareMinerals invisible light powder duo

So the only powder form product i have been using on those quick/everyday makeup days is my bareMinerals powder duo, i always like to use a mixture of the matte and glow side to set/brighten my under-eye area. As i do have a normal to mainly dry skin type, i am super lucky when it comes to not having to use too many powder products to set things into place. So when it comes to summer i can pick or choose if i want to use just powder or just cream/liquid products.

clinique chubby stick sculpting contour

For adding some shape and bronzing up my face recently, i have been loving reaching for the Clinique Chubby Stick again. This stick is actually perfect for summer as it is slightly deeper yet warmer in tone, so it give the illusion of a natural bronzed look to the face. What i love about this stick also is how easy it is to blend out, i like to use a damp beauty blender for a flawless finish and it also lasts all day long without fading away.

ps bronze dewy glow gold face + body butter
Another product from Primark i have been obsessed with reaching for on a regular basis, is this golden/bronze face and body butter and i like to use this on those quick makeup days for a more natural looking highlighted look, rather than something super glow-y. I like to apply some of this straight to a damp beauty blender before bouncing/blending it on the areas where you would normally place your highlighter and it also smells amazing like summer as it has a beautiful coconut scent.

revolution pro brow pomade in the shade dark brown + 
mac cosmetics pro long-wear waterproof brow set in the shade brown/ebony
For brows as i mentioned in my recent Superdrug post, i have been trying to not use the Revolution brow tint more than once a week so in-between i have been filling my brows in with the Revolution Pro brow pomade. Then of course to set things into place, i like to use my trusty favourite waterproof brow set from MAC and when you use this, you know you are good for the whole day.

urban decay naked heat palette + ps pro hd mascara
So for eyes i like to keep things super quick and simple, by using a single shade which is usually a warm almost orange/brick toned brown shade and i just apply that one shade and blend it out. Recently i have been reaching for the shade Sauced or Low Blow from the Urban Decay Naked Heat eyeshadow palette and then i simply finish that off by curling my lashes, before applying some mascara to both my top and bottom lashes.

mac cosmetics lip liner pencil in the shade stripdown +

l'Oréal les chocolats matte liquid lipstick in the shade sweet tooth

Finally for lips i have been obsessed with this warm nude lip combination, which is perfect for summer in both shade and with how long the combination lasts on the lips. Stripdown liner by MAC is one of those lip liners that goes with pretty much any nude applied on top, especially the new Chocolate Matte liquid lipsticks from L'Oréal. I have the shade Sweet Tooth which like i mentioned recently is the most beautiful light peachy-nude shade, making it perfect for summer.

Catch up with a suggested makeup routine related post HERE...

xo.

HIGH-STREET HOMEWARE PICKS

Hello everyone! So it has been a hot minute since i last talked about all thing homeware/home decor. Seeing as at the moment i am seeing a bunch of beautiful different items available, on the high-street both in-store and online i thought today's post would be the perfect time to share with you a selection of my personal favourite homeware picks. At the moment i am loving very neutral toned pieces, with a little black added in there too and i feel like this is a very strong/beautiful decor trend this summer...

1. primark madagascan vanilla large kilner jar candle | £5 |

So first up is a favourite bargain candle of mine which i purchase over and over again, because not only is it only £5 for this large jar but also because the smell is absolutely incredible. The scent is actually really powerful unlike some other affordable candles, you get a really beautiful warm vanilla with a hint of freshness to it and it is perfect for all year round, not just summer.

2. h&m home 2-pack blush guest towels | £3.99 |

Fun fact these are actually my favourite bathroom towels, as they come in so many different colours, are super affordable and they wash so nice/stay soft. These towels comes in so many different sizes as well from this guest towel size, to bath towel, hand towel and also face clothes too i believe. 

3. h&m home storage basket with pom poms | £12.99 |

Sticking with the h&m home theme and if you have read some of my posts recently, then you will know i am loving the whole wicker/pom pom combination and this storage basket ticks both of those boxes. These type of storage baskets are not only good for storing washing, but also you can pot plants in them or even display your throws/blankets in them too.

4. graham & brown elle blush pink cushion | £23 |

When it comes to cushions, the high-street is pretty much the place to be and you can either pick up full cushions or just the covers to add your own insert in at home. That being said i am so in love with this particular cushion from Debenhams, which is a little more on the expensive side for a cushion but this shade of blush is stunning. 

5. new look home black floral painted wide mug | £6.99 |

New Look is always that place i forget stock homeware but when i remember and take a look, they always seem to have so many nice pieces and quite a wide variety of things too. I am such a sucker for a good mug, especially this particular vintage style wide mug style at the moment. New Look also have a bunch of different other patterns in this style as well as h&m.

6. primark etched mini faux plant pot | £2.50 |

Who doesn't love a good Primark find? Because i know i do! These mini faux plants in pots are perfect for if you want to add a little green/plant look to a room, without having the responsibility of remembering to keep it alive. Primark actually have a good few different styles of faux plants in different pots, which are only £2.50!

7. yankee candle a calm and quiet place large jar candle | £24 |

Finally would this be a home decor post from me without including something from Yankee Candle? Probably not ha ha! I actually haven't seen this candle on the site before, yet it did catch my eye in Debenhams. This candle has all of the notes which i love in a candle, from it's warming feel to it's amber musk scent with a hint of freshness.

Catch up on my spring/summer must-try candles post HERE...

xo.

SUMMER BEAUTY HACKS THAT MAKE A DIFFERENCE

Hello everyone! Let's be honest Summer is pretty much the best season there is, right? I mean there is no better than feeling the sun/warm on your skin. That being said the warm weather can make your skin not be happy, leaving you looking like a sweaty mess when wearing your regular makeup, hair or skincare routine. With that in mind for today's post i thought i would share with you some of my personal favourite Summer beauty hacks, that actually make a huge difference...

 1. switch out your winter favourites, replacing them with summer favourites

Ditch the super heavy smoky eye looks, replacing them with something light/simple like a shimmery gold eye look or a simple neutral shade blended out. Step away from the vamp-y lip shades, replacing them with a simple nude/glossy lip or tinted balm. Natural glowing skin, is a summer must.

2. how to stop your eyelids from creasing

I know for me something i do struggle with when the weather is warm is eyeshadow creasing, which never happens during the winter months. This is where a good eyeshadow primer does come in handy, such as the Urban Decay Primer Potion as nothing will budge if you are wearing this. 

3. how to stop your mascara from transferring

This is such a simple hack but an extremely effective one to stop your mascara from transferring onto your under-eye area or eye lids, which is to switch out your regular go-to mascara for the waterproof version. I know waterproof mascara can be a pain to get off at the end of the day, but with the right eye-makeup remover you will be mascara free in seconds.

4. use the foundation you know works well for you

If you are opting for foundation or a tinted moisturiser in the summer, make sure it is one that you know is going to last in the heat or one that is specifically designed to last the duration. Some of my favourites are the Maybelline Fit Me, Estée Lauder Double Wear or Double Wear Nude.

5. exfoliate/moisturise regularly

When it comes to summer taking care of your skin especially your legs, as you are obviously going to be shaving/removing hair more often than you probably would in winter. Exfoliating your skin is super important as it reduces the chances of getting ingrown hairs, as well as any dead skin. Moisturise your skin straight after shaving, that is going to drastically reduce any irritation.

6. argan oil/oil's will be your best friend

Humidity can be a pain, especially on certain hair types (mine included) you can do your hair perfectly straight until you step out into the heat, then you look more like Simba from the Lion King. A simple trick to prevent/ease frizz is by adding Argan Oil to the lengths of your hair after washing and before styling. Argan Oil is really good for also keeping your skin super hydrated.

7. keep your feet feeling/looking fresh

Obviously in summer you are wearing sandals/having your feet on display a lot more than you would during winter. So keeping your feet and heels, looking/feeling fresh is a must and an easy way to keep the cracked heels away is to simply apply either vaseline or foot cream to your feet every night before bed.

 8. invest in a setting spray

Another great way of keeping your makeup in place all day long, is to invest in a good setting spray. You can apply a small amount before and after applying makeup to help lock it into place, as well as applying more through-out the day to freshen/re-hydrate your skin. Setting spray is a great way of avoiding applying layers and layers of powders, when touching up.

9. use more cream/liquid form products rather than powders

During summer wearing too many powder form products can feel super heavy on the skin, just like i mentioned with the whole using setting spray over powder for touch-ups. The products you can switch from powder to cream/liquid form are blush, contour and highlighter. Cream/liquid products once blended out, also look a lot more natural unlike some powders.

10. disguising those tan lines

Hate wearing a certain outfit that shows off a different outfits/swimsuits awkward tine lines? You can disguise/cover them instantly simply by applying a little moisturiser to the white line areas before applying a little self-tan to the same areas, making sure you blend it out of course to make it look as natural as possible.

Catch up on my previous post HERE...

xo.

MY GO-TO SUMMER LIP COMBINATIONS

Hello everyone! For today's post i wanted to share with you another instalment in my "current go-to series", this time i wanted to switch things up a little bit and simply share with you the two lip combinations i am wearing day in, day out this summer. A little heads up, anyone who has read my posts for some time or knows me personally will know i am such a nude lip girl and i rarely wear anything else. That being said i believe every nude lip combination is different...honest!

morphe brushes color pencil in the shade bamboo

Kicking things off for combination number one, we are of course starting with a liner and more specifically this beautiful sand toned almost light-beige/peach coloured liner by Morphe. I actually have been using this pencil so much since around March time, i think and i love the formula of this liner as it is super creamy/pigmented/long-wearing and easy to work with as well as apply. The liners from Morphe are actually super similar to MAC lip liners, so if you are looking for a liner of similar quality but don't want to spend the £14 on one single pencil, then i definitely recommend picking one up for just £4.50 from BeautyBay.

anastasia beverly hills liquid lipstick in the shade naked

So to pair with the Bamboo liner the perfect lipstick shade to match and the one i was wearing non stop, is Peachstock lipstick by MAC but i recently completely used the whole thing up and i am yet to replace but i definitely will do next time i pop into MAC. That being said since then the perfect lip product to go/compliment this liner is the liquid lipstick shade Naked by Anastasia Beverly Hills, which of course is a well known shade by many but it is honestly the most perfect light peachy nude. What i have actually been doing is only applying a smaller amount to the middle of the lips and then blending out with my finger for a much lighter finish.

Sometimes i will finish this lip combination off with some gloss but sometimes i will simply just leave it with a matte finish, if i do opt for gloss i am still living for the primark nudes metallic nude lip gloss.

mac cosmetics lip pencil in the shade stripdown

Moving on to the next lip combination and of course starting with lip liner and no surprises here as i mentioned how MAC lip liners are one of my all time favourites, so much so i have pretty much all of the nude tones. That being said the one i have been favouring a lot this summer so far is the ever so famous/OG shade Stripdown. This is a much darker in tone nude liner, as it is more of a creamy brown-nude rather than peach/beige toned as the other one is. This is definitely one of those nudes that you can wear in so many different ways for each season, all depending on what shade you decide to apply on top.

bareMinerals gen nude matte liquid lipcolour in the shade cult

Recently i have been loving for a more cream/light brown-beige nude lip combination, adding the bareMinerals matte liquid lipstick in the shade Cult on top of the Stripdown liner. I have mentioned in a previous post how this particular shade isn't going to suit every skin-tone as it is super pale, yet paired with a more deeper/darker nude liner it becomes very wearable. Adding Cult takes a more autumn/fall lip shade to a summer look instantly, simply by lightening it up a little bit. I love how comfortable and long-wearing the Gen Nude liquid lipsticks are, as well as being super pigmented/smooth to apply and they also taste/smell incredible.

Catch up on a similar post HERE...

xo.

TRAVEL BEAUTY | TEN PRODUCT WEEKEND MAKEUP BAG

Hello everyone! I know i only shared a "what's in my travel makeup bag" post just last month, but i am going away for the weekend and i didn't want to take too many products with me (literally just the bare essentials). So as i was thinking of what products i could pack, as well as knowing what products would be compact/used for multiple things and i managed to get it down to a ten product makeup bag which for me is quite a challenge, as half of the time i love to over-pack and bring about five too many lip products that i don't end up reaching for...

Seeing as i was only taking a small amount of products and i didn't need a huge wash/makeup bag, i decided to go with one of the smaller sized skinnydip makeup bags and you can get them from the skinnydip site/stores, ASOS, topshop and now beautybay.com too. I personally always use these makeup bags, as they always come in cute patterns yet are still see-through and you can not only see what you are looking for but also you can fit so much inside of them. Another thing i did to cut down on the amount of products i needed to take, by doing my eyebrows the night before using the revolution brow tint in the shade dark brown leaving it on for the full two hours and this way i know my brows are going to be good for the whole weekend.

nuxe huile prodigeiuse (sample/travel size)
So something that i use every single day is this dry oil by Nuxe and i love to apply it right before i do my makeup, so this is an essential for me. The only downside was when i was to travel with it, it is huge as it comes in a 50ml glass bottle and i was always scared it was going to smash. That being said i recently received a bag full of mini Nuxe products, including a mini version of this perfect for taking away with me.

l'oréal infallible pro-glow foundation in the shade 205
My foundation of choice for the weekend is the pro-glow by L'Oréal, not only because it comes in a squeeze-y plastic compact tuble, rather than a glass bottle but also because i know it is going to look good/last all day.

ps my perfect colour concealer in the shade nude beige
This concealer is pretty much my everyday go-to concealer, so i know that it is going look good and last all day long without creasing etc. This concealer is also super slim and compact.

bareMinerals invisible light powder duo
So my powder of choice is probably not the most travel friendly size-wise but by taking other things that are more compact, does make for some room and i know this powder is going to do what i need it to do. As this is a powder duo, it has one side that is a matte powder perfect for the t-zone area to control shine and a glow powder side on the other for other areas of the face.

bareMinerals gold obsession chandelight glow illuminator
This is actually a product that i mentioned in my previous post, which is also a good one for travelling with as it is a cream to powder product and there is no need to pack two individual products.

bronze bronze queen bronzer in the shade sunset
This bronzer has pretty much been my go-to everyday bronzer for both warming up the face and used on my eyes, for a quick bronzed eye look ever since i picked it up last month. Skipping on the hefty eyeshadow palettes and just using bronzer is perfect for travelling, as you are multi using products and cutting down on space.

ps pro hd mascara in the shade black
Another everyday favourite from Primark is this ps pro HD mascara and i have mentioned before how it is a great dupe for my favourite KIKO 30 day lash treatment mascara, yet this one is only £3. I would normally take a sample sized mascara i have from MAC but i seem to have miss-placed them so this one has to be packed.

mac pro longwear waterproof brow set in the shade brown/ebony
Talking of products from MAC, the only thing when doing my makeup to my brows is to brush through them with some brow gel once my makeup is all done. This has become my favourite brow gel i have ever used, it also happens to be super travel friendly sized.

mac lip pencil in the shade stripdown
So for the final two items, they were probably the two hardest items to choose and know what to pack and this is probably why i usually end up packing way too many. That being said when i reached a decision i decided to go with stripdown liner, as it looks good on its own as well as with pretty much any other lip product applied on-top because of its creamy beige/brown colour.

charlotte tilbury hot lips lipstick in the shade KKW
Finally for lipstick i decided to go with a trusty handbag favourite of mine, which happens to be a perfect shade of nude for the time of year. Another reason why i decided to go with this lipstick is because i know it is super pigmented, creamy/hydrating on the lips and of course long-wearing. I also love the way it looks paired with stripdown liner, as it adds a touch of pink to the beige/brown liner creating a beautiful nude.

Catch up on my travel wishlist #4 summer edition HERE...

xo.