WHAT'S IN MY MAKEUP BAG | TRAVEL EDITION

Hello everyone! When i was recently thinking what to pack into my makeup bag, i suddenly realised that it has actually been a hot minute since i last did a "what's in my makeup bag" post and the reason for that being i don't usually use a makeup bag unless i am travelling somewhere. So i thought this would be the perfect opportunity to share with you, what i decided to pack as well as a couple of makeup items that i can't seem to put down...

So the makeup bag that i am using is the same one that i featured in my previous "what's in my makeup bag" post, simply because i am still obsessed with everything about it. Even though i picked this up last year, you can still get your hands on it here (peachy wash bag). It is super spacious, easy to clean if you get anything on it or in it and even thought it has a super cute peachy design you can still see inside for what product you are searching for. Moving on to the makeup that i decided to pack, i went for products that i know work well together and mainly focusing on the base as i always do. What i did do though is pack a couple of different lip options, from matte nudes to gloss and even a brighter lip in case i feel like switching things up.

(click to shop what's in my makeup bag)

l'oréal infallible pro-glow foundation in the shade 205

primark ps my perfect colour liquid concealer in the shade nude beige

bareMinerals invisible light powder duo

rimmel insta contour stick in the shade medium

bareMinerals gold obsession candlelight glow highlighter

artdeco limited edition bronzing powder

revolution brow tint in the shade dark brown

mac pro longwear waterproof brow set in the shade brown/ebony

little mac pigment trio (travel size)

mac false lash extreme black mascara (sample size)

morphe brushes color pencil in the shade bamboo

anastasia beverly hills liquid lipstick in the shade naked

mac matte lipstick in the shade honey love

mac retro matte lipstick in the shade relentlessly red

primark ps nudes metallic lip gloss

Catch up on my things i'm loving on ASOS right now post HERE...

xo.

THINGS TO BINGE ON IN THE EVENING (OR AT THE WEEKEND)

Hello everyone! So when we have reached the end of a long day, there is nothing more that we want to do than remove our makeup, wash the day off and get into our favourite pair of pyjamas. Once we have done the following steps, we tend to either sit in front of the tv and binge watch or pick up a good book. With that in mind for today's post i thought i would share some of my favourite binge-worthy things to do in the evening time...

1. grey's anatomy (now tv linked)

If you are looking for a great binge worthy TV show to watch and you have never seen it before, then you definitely need to give Grey's Anatomy a watch or even a re-watch if you have followed the show from day one. It might be on it's 14th season, but it is definitely a show you don't want to miss out on especially if you love a good medical drama. I am also looking forward to the new spin-off show called Station 19, which is all about a fire station in Seattle just like Grey's Anatomy!

2. suits (netflix linked)

If Netflix is more your thing and are looking for a show to binge on rather than a movie, then Suits is definitely one to give a go. I watched the show from day one but then i stopped watching it around season four for some reason, that being said i recently picked it up again and i wonder why i stopped watching it in the first place. If you aren't sure what exactly Suits is already, then it is a super intense legal drama surrounding a top legal firm in NY.

3. this man trilogy (amazon three book linked)

If you have read my posts before, especially book related ones then you will probably already know that Jodi Ellen Malpas is my favourite author and i am obsessed with every single one of her books. With that in mind next week she is launching book number four in her best selling This Man series, which i literally can't wait for so much so i have been binge re-reading the series before it is launched and i am almost ready for starting book three. If you are looking for a new book series to delve straight into, then this is definitely the one to binge on.

4. quantico (netflix linked)
Next up is a show i actually recently started watching and i am hooked, you can watch it on either Netflix, Now TV or Virgin TV box sets. This show is a perfect watch if you love a good thrilling drama, which is based around the FBI, crime etc. I wasn't sure what i was going to think about this show and it is probably the quickest 10 minutes which is really 40+ minutes episode ever, it literally goes that fast because of how gripping it is.

5. shadowhunters (netflix linked)
If something more on the supernatural side of things, then Shadowhunters is the show you need to watch as it is everything supernatural in one show. Yet again another show where each episode goes by super quickly, leaving feeling all the feels and wanting more each week. Binge-watch season one and two, before season three which starts March 21st on Netflix.

6. altered carbon (netflix linked)
Another show which is more on the dark side of things and a well talked about/trending Netflix original series, that i have only just finally gotten around to starting after so many people telling me how good it is. It is such a gripping series, dark, action packed and definitely one of those shows you need to have your full attention on.

7. passionflix original movies
I have spoken about how much i have been loving the PassionFlix service (which you can also buy and rent the movies from Amazon video), as it is a lot of your favourite romance books/series's turned into movies and TV shows. The This Man book series is going to be turned into a TV series, which is just everything and more. There is a new release in the form of The Matchmaker's Playbook, starring the ever so dreamy Nick Bateman and i can't wait to give it a watch.

8. one night book series (amazon linked)

Finally another book series by Jodi Ellen Malpas worth binge-reading is the One Night Series, which once i am done with being on Cloud Nine Jesse i might have to re-read myself again. If you are a sucker for a good romance/alpha male, then this book series/any of Jodi's books are definitely for you and i just can't get enough of them!

Catch up on my tips for self-love post HERE...

xo.

QUICK, EASY + AFFORDABLE WEEKEND NO MAKEUP, MAKEUP

Hello everyone! I don't know about you but when the weekend rolls around, if i am not doing anything in-particular or nothing at all then i am all about that quick/easy no makeup, makeup life. That being said rather than wearing no makeup at all, it is still nice to look a little more human and put together (especially if we are stepping out of the house). You don't have to spend a small fortune to achieve this type of look either, as you can get a bunch of great products and also use multi-purpose products to save even more in the long run...

bourjois city radiance foundation in the shade beige 

This particular foundation was a huge favourite of mine a couple of summers back but after a while i stopped, until recently that is and i have completely fell back in love with it. This is that perfect no makeup, makeup foundation as it has great coverage yet your skin still looks like skin, with a beautiful radiant finish to it. As you are trying to achieve that no makeup, makeup look this foundation has enough coverage to get away without having to pack on the concealer and as i do have normal/dry skin i can get away without powdering. RRP £9.99

ps 3-in-1 brow pencil in the shade tobacco
If you read my recent updated brow products post, then you will probably already know that this brow pencil has pretty much my go-to brow product ever since picking it up. No matter how i am doing my makeup, brows is never a step i skip as i always finds it adds so much definition to the face and pulls everything together. This brow pencil is super easy to use, whether that be the pencil side, the powder side and even the spoolie side. RRP £2

mua amplify statement lash black mascara
Just like brows, mascara is also always an important step for me personally, as i find just by popping a little mascara on the tops and bottoms of your lashes really opens up the eyes making them appear bigger. I am such a creature of habit when it comes to mascara and i always pick up the same one, yet recently i tried this one out from MUA and i love how it lengthens, leaves a voluminous finish and separates without clumping. RRP £3

w7 hollywood bronze + glow duo bronzer/highlighter

You are probably thinking this product looks familiar? When i first saw this product i thought how similar to the Charlotte Tilbury Filmstar bronze and glow duo this looked. W7 isn't a brand i have tried too many products from but i absolutely love this palette and whenever i reach for it, i always wonder why don't i reach for it more. Both the bronzer and highlighter sides are pigmented, apply evenly and the bronzer shade is also perfect to pop a little something on as an eyeshadow. The only slight difference between the two products is i feel like the bronzer in this palette is slightly warmer in tone, which i honestly prefer. RRP £3.32

maybelline x gigi east coast lip liner pencil in the shade mccall + 
nip+fab makeup matte liquid lipstick in the shade biscuit
If you are not feeling the lip, then this step can be skipped or replaced with some lip balm but i always like to finish it off with a nude lip as it just finishes it all off, especially if i am leaving the house. A favourite affordable nude lip combination i love is the Maybelline x GIGI lip liner, with the Nip+Fab liquid lipstick. I love these liquid lipsticks as they are super opaque with just one coat, long-wearing, comfortable to wear and come in the most beautiful range of nude/neutral shades. My favourites are Biscuit, Tart and Toffee.
Lip Liner RRP £5.99 | Liquid Lipstick RRP £7.95

Catch up on a similar post HERE...

xo.

CHRISTMAS BAKING #1: CHOCOLATE HOLLY CUPCAKES

Hello everyone and welcome to the first baking instalment of December! I wanted to kick Christmas baking off with something simple, yet obviously yummy and chocolate cupcakes tick both of those boxes. This recipe could of course be used at any time of year, all you would have to do is switch up the decoration on top and you would be good to go. Also this particular chocolate "frosting" topping is a new recipe and it is literally heavenly.

to make the cupcakes you will need:

| 12 cupcake cases | 125g self raising flour | 50g cocoa powder | 175g softened unsalted butter | 

| 175g caster sugar | 3 eggs | 1tsp baking powder |

method:

First things first, you are going to want to pre-heat your oven to gas mark 4/180c/350f and then line your baking trays with the cupcake cases. Then you are going to want to start on your cupcake mixture, take the sugar, butter and eggs and place them all in your mixer or bowl whichever way you prefer to make your mixture up. Then you are going to want to start mixing the ingredients on a low speed and gradually add the sifted flour, cocoa powder and baking powder, then slowly start to speed up the mixer. Mix all together until combined and smooth. Next you are going to want to take your mixture and spoon them into your cupcake cases and place in your pre-heated oven for 22-25 minutes, once out of the oven leave to cool completely.

to make the frosting you will need:

| 75g dark chocolate | 35g unsalted butter | 100g mascarpone | 165g icing sugar |

method:

First things first you are going to want to melt the dark chocolate in a bowl, over simmering water and leave to cool. Then to make the frosting/topping you are going to want to beat the butter and the mascarpone together before adding half of the sifted icing sugar, then beat until well combined before adding in the other half of the sifted icing sugar. Add in the cooled melted dark chocolate and mix again until well combined, by adding the dark chocolate it makes the frosting this beautiful moose-like topping that honestly tastes so delicious. All that is left to do then is decorate using some red and green ready roll icing cut into holly shapes and dust with a light sprinkling of icing sugar for a Christmas-y/Snowy effect.

See you tomorrow for an all new post at 5PM GMT...

xo.

MY WEEKEND IN PICTURES

Hey guys, i hope you are all having an amazing day whatever you are up to and happy monday! For today's post i thought i would share with you what i got up to at the weekend in picture form. I really enjoy doing these types of posts as you get a little insight to my weekend. This weekend mainly consisted of freezing cold weather, cleaning makeup brushes, my mum's birthday, watching movies, shopping and mother's day lunch at loch fyne's...

I hope you all had a great weekend!

♥

GET "UNREADY" WITH ME: WEEKEND EDITION

Hey guys, i hope you are all having an amazing day whatever you are up to and happy monday! So yesterday was sunday...obviously and for today's post i thought i would share with you my get unready beauty/pamper routine...

First things first you've got to get rid of that makeup and just lately i have been loving this combination of products. Firstly i take the Estée Lauder Eye Makeup Remover onto two cotton pads and i remove all of my eye makeup, then taking a small amount of the Estée Lauder Take It Away Lotion on my fingers and rubbing it all over the rest of my face and rinse with water. Next up is a facial exfoliator and i am loving this one from L'Oreal it is the Skin Perfection Radiance Revealing one, i just apply some of the product onto my fingers and then massage it all over my face before rinsing it away with a damp face cloth. 

 Bathroom pamper time, i decided to use this Candy Mountain Bubble Bar from Lush what i had still in my little Lush product stash along with the limited edition valentine's Prince Charming Shower Gel... which i am obsessed with (not as much as snow fairy though i must add). I also used some of the Scrub of your Life from Soap & Glory.

Seeing as my face is all squeaky clean and makeup free, it's time for some skincare. Firstly i like to apply some of the L'Oreal Skin Perfection Advanced Correcting Serum to my face and also my neck, next i also apply some of the Estée Lauder Advance Night Repair Serum mainly concentrating that around my eye area. Next up is moisturizer and i follow up using the L'Oreal Skin Perfection Anti Fatigue Perk-Up Cream, i also apply this all over my face and neck just as i did the Serum. Finally i apply some of the Estée Lauder Advanced Time Zone Eye Cream.

I had almost forgotten this step, you've got to take care of them lips just as much as your skin. I love this Bubblegum Lip Scrub from Lush as it just removes any dryness that has built up on your lips, whether that's from wearing lipstick all day, the cold weather or even a combination of the two.

It is almost time to put them pyjamas on (who else agrees that is the best part of the day?) but firstly i like to apply some of the Daily Smooth Body Butter from Soap & Glory to keep all of my skin feeling super silky smooth and soft.

And when all the beauty/pampering things are done it is time for the entertainment. Last tuesday i purchased this months new copy of Glamour magazine for the soul purpose that Jamie Dornan is on the cover *man crush alert* but i only just got around to reading it. Words can't describe how excited i am about going to watch the movie at the weekend. After some light reading and drooling at how gorgeous that man is it is time for some TV and the show i am hooked on right now is The Mysteries of Laura, which if you haven't heard or seen anything about the show, it is a police comedy/drama series starring Debra Messing who is fricking hilarious in general.

♥

WHAT I ATE WEDNESDAY

Hey guys, i hope you are all having an amazing day whatever you were up! So seeing as my last twisted version of "what i ate wednesday" seemed to be a hit, i thought i would do another one for today's post. I hope you all enjoy...

For breakfast just lately i can't get enough of Shreddies, a lot of people thing the original ones are boring but i love them. I had these with Unsweetened Almond Milk which i have got back into having over Soy Milk just recently. I also had a cup of tea.

Seeing as it was Sunday, i think it called for a Sunday Roast. I went to the Elm Tree pub for Sunday Lunch which i literally one of my favourite places to eat. I had Turkey, Potatoes, Stuffing, Yorkshire Pudding, Broccoli and a tiny bit of Gravy. 

For dinner i had two slices of Multi-Seeded Bread toasted topped with Crunchy Peanut Butter and Jam, which looks not so great but it tastes so good!

♥

WHAT I ATE WEDNESDAY

Hey guys, i hope you are all having an amazing day whatever you are up to! For today's post i am back with another "What I Ate Wednesday"... well i say Wednesday but i thought i would switch things up and show you something more interesting from the weekend, where i spent Sunday out with my sister having a girly day of shopping, lunch and a movie...

Breakfast was pretty much similar to always, i had porridge with some honey on top and instead of coffee i had a tea, which i have been obsessed with drinking lately.

For lunch we headed to Carluccio's and we ordered some Focaccia bread to go a long with our main but we had no idea it was going to be this big but what i managed of it was so good.. especially dipped into the olive oil.

For my main i had one of my favourite dishes to get at Carluccio's called Pasta Con Funghi, which is egg pappardelle (type of pasta) with a mixture of shiitake, oyster, porcini and button mushrooms. It has the most amazing flavour.

After a little more shopping we decided to head to the cinema to see "Into the Woods" and obviously you can't go to the cinema without having a little popcorn. The film was so good also.

Seeing as we had eaten lunch out earlier i didn't really want anything else after all i was still kind of full from carluccio's and the popcorn, i decided to just have this juice i picked up from m&s.

♥

MY WEEKEND IN PICTURES

Hey guys! It has been a couple of months since i last did a "my weekend in pictures" blog post, so since it was a bank holiday weekend i thought i would take some pictures of what i have got up to.

Friday and some of Saturday mostly consisted of me doing work, editing, working on some new ideas and of course listening to Justin Garner whilst doing so!

Saturday night at my house should be renamed "pizza party saturday" as we nearly always have homemade pizzas made by my dad (they are the best)!

Saturday night was also movie night, who doesn't love a good rom com and m&m's?

Sunday i went to Ikea with my sister and we did a spot of shopping. Where my local Ikea is there is also another retail park with lots of other stores there.

All that shopping is thirsty work so we stopped off at Starbucks on the way home. I had a Soy Mocha Frappuccino and a Blueberry Muffin (Naughty but nice)!

This weekend i have been listening to Mya's new EP "Sweet XVI" none stop, i'm obsessed. My favourite tracks are Super Woman and Same Page.

With it being Bank Holiday we also got Monday off! So i went into Nottingham, did some shopping (for a change) went for a few drinks and some lunch.

For lunch we went to Carluccio's, which is one of my favourite Italian restaurants.

I had something which was new on the menu "Trofie Alla Genovese" which was trofie pasta with pesto, potatoes and green beans... it was so nice!

And of course you have to have dessert, it's just rude not too haha! Tiramisu and Coffee.

Yet again another Raspberry and Blackcurrant Ice Tea from Starbucks.. if you haven't tried one before you need to they are just so refreshing!

So that is pretty much everything i have got up to this weekend, i'm just going to relax now and catch up on some YouTube videos.

Hope you have all had an amazing weekend and i will be back Wednesday with a new blog post!

REVLON COLORSTAY SHADOWLINKS

Hey guys, hope you are all having an amazing weekend! I just wanted to do a quick blog post sharing something with you that in my opinion is super cool. Revlon have done good yet again with these what appear to be "single eye shadows" when in fact you can link the eye shadows together to form your very own custom palette. Don't get me wrong i love me a eye shadow palette but some palettes have them certain shades that you're like that shade isn't for me, but this way you can pick and choose what you have for a very affordable price. The eye shadows retail at £2.99 each although at the moment in Boots they are on 3 for 2 which makes it an even bigger bargain.

At the moment i have three linked together but i am planning to add more to my collection.

The shades from L-R: Bone/Matte, Sand/Pearl, Taupe/Satin.

Hope you liked this little extra blog post and will you be creating your very own Revlon ColourStay ShadowLinks palette?

GET TO KNOW ME: BEAUTY QUESTIONS

I haven't done a TAG blog post in a little while and i seen the "31 beauty questions" TAG going around so i thought i would give it a go.

1. Do you apply your foundation with a brush, sponge, or fingers?

Usually a brush but sometimes i use my fingers.

- What foundation do you use?

At the moment L'Oreal true match in Vanilla.

2. Do you apply your eye shadow from light to dark? or dark to light?

I always apply a crease colour first then a lid colour then blend together.

3. Do you prime your eyes? For Face?

Both. Eyes i use Urban Decay primer potion and Face at the moment is Clarins beauty flash balm.

4. Concealer first, or after foundation?

Concealer after foundation always.

-  What concealer do you use?

MAC Pro long wear.

5. On average, how long does it take you to do your makeup?

If im in a hurry about 10-15 mins but if im not i can take about 40 mins to an hour.

6. Do you wear makeup everyday and everywhere?

6 days a week, i usually like to have makeup free Sunday's unless im going out.

7. What release are you most excited about? (Makeup)

Every release, makeup is just always exciting.

8. What’s your weakness? Shoes, purses, clothes, jewelry, eye shadow  lipstick or other?

All of the listed things haha.

9. Do you whiten your teeth?

No i just use whitening toothpaste.

10. Wax eyebrows, or pluck?

Pluck.

11. What do you use to contour?

Topshop bronzer in sandcastle.

12. False lashes, or natural?

Natural unless im going out somewhere special then falsies.

13. Favourite makeup brand?

How can you even choose just one.

14. Liquid eyeliner, pencil or gel?

Felt eyeliner.

15. Lipstick, lip-gloss or chap-stick?

Lipstick.

- What is your favourite lipstick?

How can you choose that either, i have about 458048502803 lipsticks, well not quiet that many haha!

16. Pigments, pressed or cream eye shadow?

Pressed eye shadows.

17. If you had to wear only one thing, excluding foundation; what would it be?

Mascara.

18. Favourite colour?

I always say pink but i'm really into anything black and white.

19. Favourite colour combination?

At the moment i have been loving wearing bronze shadow with a cranberry colour. 

20. Natural? or Dramatic? (Eye Makeup)

Both (all depends on the occasion).

21. Do you care more for quality or name brand?

Quality.

22. Did you ever consider taking makeup classes?

I already did a makeup class.

23. What do you think of makeup?

I can't stand makeup HAHAHA JOKING i'm obsessed obviously

24. How many times do you wash your face daily?

Twice, morning and then night time.

25. What skin type do you have?

Normal/Dry on occasion.

26. What is your current facial wash?

Elemis skin glow face wash

27. Do you exfoliate?

Yes.

28. What brand do you use?

Elemis skin glow face wash (it's an exfoliating one).

29. What moisturizer do you use?

At the moment im using Clarins hydraquench cream.

30. Do you use eye cream?

I use The Body Shop Elderflower eye gel.

31. Do you enjoy using face masks? If so which ones

If you have read my blog posts in the past you'll know i am obsessed with them. I am obsessed with the No7 sauna mask.

I TAG everyone who wants to have a go at answer these questions.

What are your plans for the weekend?