I follow some amazing bloggers who manage to create hugely different makeup looks every single day of the week. I don't know how they have the time/ patience to perfect it every single day but they do, and it looks like they have so much fun playing around with it all too. I wanted a piece of that. I wanted to experiment with colours and feel like a completely different girl every day. I missed using makeup to express myself.
I've always been a big fan of art and to me makeup is an art. I'm not particularly good at it applying it, and I've only ever worn fake eyelashes once in my life but that doesn't matter. All that matters is that you have fun with what you are doing. I'd forgotten how much I enjoyed messing around with new colours and techniques. I'd forgotten that makeup was a way to show my personality. I'd been using makeup to make myself feel pretty and whilst thats not necessarily a bad thing, I started to rely on my mascara's and foundation's a bit too much.
Even as a teenager I didn't have bad skin. I never felt the need to smother my face in foundation before I left the house, I never really bothered with eyeshadow or liner, and I definitely didn't know what contouring was. I wore makeup as and when I wanted to. But lately I've felt that I kind of need all of that to feel beautiful. I needed to cover my skin and coat my lids in glitter or else I was ugly. I'd not really felt like that before and I think its quite a dangerous mindset to get used to. I needed to remember what makeup was about for me.
- Get The Look -
I wanted to be inspired again, I wanted to take myself back to the time when makeup was just for fun and not a necessity. Luckily it wasn't very long before I found my inspiration. Once I'd started looking it was everywhere, from Instagram, to magazines, and huge billboards around my city, there were ideas in every place I looked. One of the major places I gathered my motivation from was my friend Amanda, her Instagram is constantly brimming with unreal new makeup looks. I'd be confronted by an amazing new 'face of the day' look almost every time I scrolled through my feed and to be honest thats when I really started to feel boring. She was doing some incredible things with colours I'd never dare to use and styles that were far from typical, but she looked amazing and she was clearly having a good time.
After a few weeks of watching everyone else try out wild new makeup looks I decided enough was enough. I challenged myself to start using colour. I needed to play around with some new eyeshadows that weren't my usual light sparkly shades. I needed to try something new and so eventually this look was born. Its not a hundred miles away from my every day makeup, the style is basically the same but the colours I have chosen for this look are something I would usually run from! They are so bright and dramatic, and together they even clash a little bit. They are everything that scares me about pretty makeup. But it's not meant to be pretty or flattering, it's meant to be a bit of fun! Its not the best makeup look I've ever created and if I'm honest I was too scared to wear it out of the house because the colours really are just so bright, but its the start of my new outlook on makeup.
I had a lot of fun playing around with this look and I'm determined to try new things more often. Makeup isn't just about looking pretty, at least it shouldn't be, and I need to remember that.
Thanks for reading!
x
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I travel a lot. I try to go somewhere new every few months, but lets be honest, travel can be expensive. To keep costs down I travel with only hand luggage wherever possible which means I have to be tight with the liquids I bring. I'd like to think I'm a bit of an expert when it comes to packing now so here are my absolute beauty essentials that will easily fit into your carry on!
Aussie Miracle Moist Shampoo - This is one of my all time favourite shampoos to use and it can be bought in a tiny 50ml bottle which makes it perfect for travel. As I use this shampoo on the regular anyway I just refill the small bottle whenever it runs out!
Aussie 3 minute miracle Reconstructor Deep Conditioner - Again this is my everyday conditioner back at home so its great that it can be purchased in such a small size. This deep conditioner keeps my hair looking silky smooth and healthy especially after a long day of exploring. Like the shampoo I also just refill the small containers when it runs out.
Sephora Soothing Cleansing Milk - This little beauty cleanses like a dream! I bought it maybe 2 years ago and I'm pretty sure the original product is long gone now (as I just refill it obviously) but honestly it removes every little spec of makeup on your face. It can be quite hard to get hold of in the UK but there are Sephora's dotted all over Europe so it shouldn't be too hard to track down on your next trip!
Simple Hydrating Moisturiser - Again this is my everyday moisturiser when I'm at home so I just had to pick up a small sized version for my travels. I'm sure I've reviewed this product 1000 times on the blog but I'll give you another little run down. This moisturiser is very gentle, its extremely hydrating, it sinks into the skin very quickly, and its also usually around the £2 mark for a full sized product, bargain!
Simple Refreshing Facial Wash Gel - Another Simple product but I've found them to be the best budget skincare out there! This fascial wash is also very gentle and although it isn't exfoliating I still feel that my skin is getting a really good cleanse.
Makeup Revolution Makeup Eraser - I reviewed this product a few months back on my Youtube channel and ever since its been my 'go to'. Although I do use a small amount of cleanser with this flannel now I can't imagine the amount of baby wipes its saved me using. Not only has this beauty saved me a small amount of money but it cuts down the amount of wipes I'd otherwise throw away.
Mini Nail Brush - Bit of a random one I know but I hate not being able to really scrub my hands when I travel. I don't think I've ever stayed in a hotel where a nail brush is provided so I always take my own. I just use a teeny tiny brush that I think might have even come out of a Christmas cracker one year but it does the job and keeps my hands feeling extra clean! I can be a bit obsessive when it comes to washing my hands so this just give me peace of mind.
Boots Cucumber Eye Gel - This is one of the products that I don't really need but always take along anyway because it's so small. Its a soothing eye gel which I love applying after a long day in a new place. It can also double up as a bit of a moisturiser if I run out of my usual and I've found that it also works as a great aftersun lotion if you've got a bit of sunburn!
So thats it! This is everything I will take in my toiletry bag along with the obvious toothpaste, toothbrush, ect. Do you have any beauty travel essentials? Let me know in the comments!
Aussie 3 minute miracle Reconstructor Deep Conditioner - Again this is my everyday conditioner back at home so its great that it can be purchased in such a small size. This deep conditioner keeps my hair looking silky smooth and healthy especially after a long day of exploring. Like the shampoo I also just refill the small containers when it runs out.
Sephora Soothing Cleansing Milk - This little beauty cleanses like a dream! I bought it maybe 2 years ago and I'm pretty sure the original product is long gone now (as I just refill it obviously) but honestly it removes every little spec of makeup on your face. It can be quite hard to get hold of in the UK but there are Sephora's dotted all over Europe so it shouldn't be too hard to track down on your next trip!
Simple Hydrating Moisturiser - Again this is my everyday moisturiser when I'm at home so I just had to pick up a small sized version for my travels. I'm sure I've reviewed this product 1000 times on the blog but I'll give you another little run down. This moisturiser is very gentle, its extremely hydrating, it sinks into the skin very quickly, and its also usually around the £2 mark for a full sized product, bargain!
Simple Refreshing Facial Wash Gel - Another Simple product but I've found them to be the best budget skincare out there! This fascial wash is also very gentle and although it isn't exfoliating I still feel that my skin is getting a really good cleanse.
Makeup Revolution Makeup Eraser - I reviewed this product a few months back on my Youtube channel and ever since its been my 'go to'. Although I do use a small amount of cleanser with this flannel now I can't imagine the amount of baby wipes its saved me using. Not only has this beauty saved me a small amount of money but it cuts down the amount of wipes I'd otherwise throw away.
Mini Nail Brush - Bit of a random one I know but I hate not being able to really scrub my hands when I travel. I don't think I've ever stayed in a hotel where a nail brush is provided so I always take my own. I just use a teeny tiny brush that I think might have even come out of a Christmas cracker one year but it does the job and keeps my hands feeling extra clean! I can be a bit obsessive when it comes to washing my hands so this just give me peace of mind.
Boots Cucumber Eye Gel - This is one of the products that I don't really need but always take along anyway because it's so small. Its a soothing eye gel which I love applying after a long day in a new place. It can also double up as a bit of a moisturiser if I run out of my usual and I've found that it also works as a great aftersun lotion if you've got a bit of sunburn!
So thats it! This is everything I will take in my toiletry bag along with the obvious toothpaste, toothbrush, ect. Do you have any beauty travel essentials? Let me know in the comments!
Thanks for reading!
x
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When was the last time you made yourself something really nice to eat? Not for your partner or the kids, for just you. Can't remember? Neither could I. Now I cook a lot. Most nights a make some yummy meals for Sean and myself, but I don't if I'm just feeding me. If Sean's out I'll make a sandwich or some Supernoodles, who wants to go through all the effort of creating a fantastic meal just for themselves, am I right? But I've thought about that a lot lately and I don't think its a good way of thinking.
It makes me really happy to cook for Sean. I want him to eat well and I want him to enjoy his food. Maybe its a female thing? A motherly instinct? I can't be sure but one thing I do know is that I don't take that same care for myself when I'm eating alone. Its silly when I think about it because if I was single I couldn't live on a diet of crisp sandwiches and sausage rolls (although wouldn't that be fab). So why don't I treat myself to good food?
Well I want that to stop. I'm on a mission to take care of myself this year, in all sorts or ways. I want to eat healthier, do more exercise and keep working on my metal health. I'm in a good place right now but its very easy for all that to slip away. So how am I going to practise this self care? There are so many ways of showing yourself love, from physically pampering yourself to recognising and dismissing bad thoughts when they appear. One of the ways I'm going to start working on self love is by making myself, and just myself nice food. The meals don't always have to be healthy, the afternoon tea I made myself was far from it but my god it felt good to indulge. It felt good to make something delicious, something a bit special, something I've always viewed as a treat, just for me.
I love a good afternoon tea, like I said they are special, but I think special meals should be a more regular thing. I want to make myself feel special, I want to make myself feel loved. I can't just rely on those around me to show me love, I need to show myself some love. I want to love my body, my mind, I want to be a good person, and I want to be successful. I think all that needs to start by doing simple, kind things for myself.
"There's nothing a good cuppa can't fix"
They say a cup of tea can make everything better and whilst I know deep down thats not true, I can't help but feel there's something behind the saying. Sipping away on a cup of tea allows you a few minutes to just stop, relax, and enjoy. It wont change anything but the act of creating your perfect cuppa and taking some time to unwind is one very small thing you can do to show yourself some kindness.
A few months back I was kindly sent some tea to try by Adagio Tea*, a small artisan tea company. I was delighted to accept the bundle as I knew it meant I would have to make more time to sit, and drink, and chill whilst trying out the various flavours. Adagio Tea stock a rang of teas from Green to Oolnong to Matcha and more, they even sell decaffeinated teas for anyone wanting to lower their caffeine intake but not give up their daily tea fix. I've still not even put a dent in my box of goodies but the teas I have tried so far have been delicious. My favourite has to be the Earl Grey Lavender, but there's no surprise there.
Its taken me a long time to realise it, but it really is the little things in life that make us happy. Even the smallest of things like having 5 minutes to enjoy a tasty cuppa or creating a lovely meal for yourself are easy ways to practise self love and thats something I want to focus on a lot in the coming months.
If you love tea like I do, head over to my Instagram now for a chance to win an IngenuiTEA Infuser, Glass Mug, and a range of sampler sets!
Thanks for reading!
x
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Erm so I guess its Summer?! How is it May already please? I have no clue where the year has gone! I'm sure it was only last month that the UK stopped still because of the horrendous snow? The snow that just kept coming and coming but nope now its 20+ degreess, fab. So its time to stuff away those jumpers (for now) and whip out your snazzy Summer dresses!
Its been so long since I wore anything other than jeans and a baggy jumper that I really can't remember what I even wear when the suns out. Honestly, my style staples are black and black and more black, so how am I going to dress for this warm weather? Well I think a little shopping spree is in order and it would only be fair to share my favourite summer style pieces with you all!
So those are some of my fave summer pieces you can pick up right now! I can already hear my debit card crying and I haven't even purchased anything yet!
Which are you favourite pieces?
Thanks for reading!
x
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I always see bloggers and vloggers meeting up for coffee and photoshoots and to be honest I wanted in on that kind of friendship. Like I've said previously, not many of my friends know I blog and I'm quite happy to keep it that way as I don't think they'd really understand it anyway. But as I've kept my blog quiet I've also managed to partly alienate myself from local bloggers which is sad. So with that in mind I wanted to get a load of us together!
I do occasionally meet bloggers at events around the Midlands which is always fun, but at the same time the events are always so busy with constantly taking photos and promoting things on social media, you don't get time to really talk to people, to really connect. Along with that there are a lot of bloggers who don't really blog about 'things' and don't get invited to events because it's not relevant to them, and I'd never get to meet these people if not at a casual meet up like this. So I planned my little event.
Along with just generally having a really nice time I also managed to tick off one of my blogging goals for 2018 and work towards overcoming my anxiety - something I will talk about again soon. I'm really really glad I plucked up the courage to put on the event and I can't wait to organise another!
Thanks again to everyone who came along!
Thanks for reading!
x
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I wasn't actually planning on taking any style photos the day I wore this outfit. I know it isn't anything special, but I felt great, the lighting was pretty decent and my surroundings were kind of cute too. These photos were actually taken on a day out to Lichfield with my mom who stepped up to be my photographer for the afternoon and considering these pics were taken on my phone by a woman who still isn't really sure how to use it, I don't think they are half bad! They were also never meant for my blog either, I only really wanted some photos for Instagram but I thought I might as well share them here too, thats why they are square!
- Shop The Post -
I pretty much always plan my outfit shoots, I'm not really fun or spontaneous enough to take daily outfit snaps and I wear the same comfy clothes over and over again if I'm honest. I know this outfit and the photos aren't going to blow anyones mind but I kind of like how raw they are. This is an actual real outfit that I would wear day to day and although the quality isn't really up to my usual standard I might start taking outfit snaps like this more regularly. What do you guys think?
Also just a little side note, how fucking cute is my new silver backpack, please? I won it at a Brum Bloggers Accessorize event a couple of weeks ago and it is literally my new favourite bag. I'd been eyeing it up all night to be honest, so when I was given the choice of any non leather bag in the shop (yep I almost cried) I decided to take this little metallic beauty home with me. It's already been on quite a few day trips and bike rides so I know I'm going to get a lot of use out of it this summer!
Do you have a 'go to' basic bitch outfit?
Thanks for reading!
x
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