May Favourites 2017

Hey everyone, I hope you're well!

Since we've had so much nice weather here in the UK, I haven't really worn makeup that often but today I have a list of things I've been loving this month!

BEAUTY

 The first product I've been loving this month is a super shock shadow from Colourpop in the shade Nillionaire. It's a gorgeous bronze shade with pink and gold glitter undertones. I have a few Colourpop shadows and the formula is like nothing I've ever used before! They're not quite a cream, but not a powder either and it took me a while to get used to. This shadow is perfect all over the lid for a warm brown smoky eye. I will definitely be buying more of these shadows, and if you haven't already you need to get some!

 Up next is a product that barely looks used, but trust me a little goes a long way! This one of the newish Strobe highlighters from Makeup Revolution in the shade Flash. I couldn't get the shade to pick up right in natural light but it's a gorgeous icy white highlighter with an iridescent finish. It looks absolutely gorgeous on, and suits paler skin tones perfectly. I've been wearing this every time I do my makeup, and you hardly need any on your brush to get a blinding highlight!

 

Another product I've loved this month by Makeup Revolution is their take on the matte lip kit in the shade Echelon. It's a beautiful cool toned brown nude, although the brown tones didn't really pick up in the photo. This is the perfect nude for lighter skin tones, and is great for everyday. The lip liner is super creamy, and glides on like a dream! The liquid lipstick doesn't dry out your lips and applies really nicely without going patchy. 

The last beauty item I've absolutely loved this month is a fragrance mist from Victoria's Secret. I saw these in my local Superdrug when I was shopping for makeup, and noticed they were on offer at 2 for  £16. I had a browse through the different scents and opted for Pure Seduction which has a lovely mix of red plum and freesia. I'm not usually a fan of really fruity scents but with this being a mist, it's not as strong as others and smells lovely but lasts a long time. 

TV & FILM

Since the new season started, I have been hooked on Pretty Little Liars! I was a little late to the party, and only started watching it last year but I've binge watched it to high heaven and I've finally caught up. It took me a while to get into, because it just seemed a bit boring but it's got so good lately! This is the final ever season too so I know I'll probably cry at the last episode!

I haven't watched any new movies lately, but I've watched The Little Mermaid nearly everyday for the few weeks. I'd never watched it as a child and felt like I'd been missing out on something and now I think I'm obsessed with it haha! When I haven't been watching it, I've had the soundtrack on repeat and I'm pretty sure I know all the lyrics off by heart now!

MUSIC

Katy Perry ft Nicki Minaj - Swish Swish

Liam Payne - Strip That Down

Ariana Grande ft Future - Everyday

Harry Styles - Kiwi

Shawn Mendez - There's Nothing Holdin' Me Back

DJ Khaled ft Justin Bieber - I'm The One

So that's everything I've loved this month, I hope you enjoyed reading! If you want to see what other music I've been listening to, you can check out my Spotify here where I've made monthly playlists and a few other fun ones!

Things I Wish I Knew Before I Started Blogging

As much as I love blogging, there are definitely some things I wish I knew before I started blogging. I always see people on social media saying stuff like 'bloggers have it easy' 'it can't be that hard' 'it's easy money' But I have to say, it's a lot harder and more time consuming than you think! It's basically a full time job! I spend most days blogging, whether it be actually writing a post or just scheduling tweets or taking part in Twitter chats with other bloggers. It might look like I spend my days doing nothing of substance, but I'm constantly planning new content on my blog, or taking photos for posts. I wish I could call this my job, but as of right now I don't get paid for it so it's only a hobby. These are just a few things that I wish I'd known when I started out.

How much time you actually need

I already touched on this but I wanted to talk about it a little more. When I first started blogging, I had no idea what I was doing and would just write a blog post to be uploaded that same evening. Then I learnt a few things about post promotion and put a bit more effort in, and realised I couldn't keep to my normal writing routine. No one told me that I'd spend most of my time planning posts, writing them and taking photos. I spend nearly every minute of my day thinking about blogging, even if its just finding post ideas. 

Your phone battery is literally the worst

I always thought iPhones had a pretty good battery life before I became a blogger, but that all changed when I started scheduling tweets and spending every waking minute on social media, either posting or catching up with other people's posts. I had to charge it atleast twice a day but now I have a portable charger and I wouldn't be without it!

The British weather is rubbish

We all know by now that the British weather is usually unpredictable. This obviously annoys most people, bloggers more so than others. If like me you rely on natural lighting for blog and Instagram photos, you're gonna have a hard time getting perfect photos if the weather decides to change randomly. I'm dreading when winter comes and the short nights are back because I'll probably never get any photos taken! I've been very tempted to invest in some studio lighting, just to make my life easier but I'm managing well so far with natural lighting.

Bloggers block happens more often than you think

I've only ever seen a handful of bloggers talk about it but I've suffered from bloggers block quite often. I very regularly read other blogs and get inspiration, but when I run out of ideas I feel useless. It was hard enough at school when I had to write an essay but couldn't find the words to write it, but this is something else! Sometimes it's easier to take a little break and get your mojo back instead of forcing content that people will see is not really what you want to write about. 

Bloggers can be bitches too

I'm sure most bloggers will know this but if you don't, there's bitches everywhere. I personally haven't had to deal with any, but I've seen plenty of arguments on Twitter over petty shit. At first glance the blogosphere looks like a wonderful place filled with unicorns and marble backgrounds with rose gold accessories. While it is filled with some amazing people, who create some amazing content and deserve more recognition for their hard work, there are the odd few who will get on your last nerve. 

As much as I've complained about these things, I wouldn't change it for the world! I absolutely love blogging, regardless of the rubbish things it brings because it also has so many great perks! 

Birchbox May 2017

Hey everyone, hope you're all feeling good even though it's Monday! Today I have an unboxing of this month's Birchbox, which can I just say is the best design ever! Marble and rose gold, it's the perfect box to match an Instagram theme!

 First up is this volume spray from Beauty Protector which I think is a brand exclusive to Birchbox, maybe even their own brand! This spray is used to increase volume and add shine without making it sticky or weighing it down. It has no parabens and is 100% vegan which is perfect for people that struggle to find products that aren't. I struggle quite a lot with my hair thinning after the first day of washing so this (hopefully) will be perfect for me.

 The next product is a liquid exfoliant from Paula's Choice. I've never heard of this brand before, admittedly because I don't buy a lot of different skincare products. This really intrigued me as all the exfoliators I've used before have been a really thick consistency whereas this is literally just like water! It contains 2% BHA liquid which works hard to unclog the skin leaving it clear and calm without damaging it! My skin doesn't usually get too bad but now that it's getting warmer out, I've had oilier skin which has caused a few breakouts. I'll definitely be trying this out to see if it helps!

 Up next is a firming body cream from Whish. I've received a lot of products from Whish in previous Birchboxes and I've loved all of them! This body cream is designed to smooth blemishes, soften and protect the skin. It contains shea butter, cocoa seed butter and green tea which not only work wonders for your skin, they also make the product smell amazing! I can't wait to use this and hopefully I love it as much as their other products!

 The next product I received is a mascara from Doucce. I've heard a few YouTubers talk about this brand, but they've never gone into a lot of detail. This mascara has the biggest I've ever seen!! I suppose that's the perfect way to add volume and thickness to your lashes! I really like mascaras that have 'proper' wands instead of those thin plastic ones. This looks like it will grab every single lash and lift it to high heaven! This is also the perfect size to just chuck in your handbag if you're travelling.

Last but not least is this really cute mineral eyeshadow from Marsk. I've not heard of this brand either but I will definitely be looking up some of their other stuff because this eyeshadow shade is beautiful!! I received the shade Vanilla Frosting but I believe you could also get Fifty Shades, but it was a random pick. This is the full size eyeshadow which seems a bit small at 1.2g, especially since it has a price tag of nearly £15! I swatched this on my hand and it is the most gorgeous icy white shade which would be perfect either in the centre of the lid, as an inner corner highlight or even as a face highlight! 

I wasn't overly excited by the contents of this box, as I don't do a lot in terms of skincare, but I suppose it might make me be more thoughtful of my skin. I absolutely love the Marsk eyeshadow and can't wait to try so many looks with it! I'm also looking forward to using the volume spray, hopefully it gives my hair a bit more oomph!

I hope you enjoyed reading my thoughts on this month's Birchbox, if you'd like to sign up click here to receive £5 off your first box!

ABH Modern Renaissance Palette Review

I might be a little late to the party, but today I have a review of the beautiful Modern Renaissance eyeshadow palette from Anastasia Beverly Hills. I am absolutely in love with this palette, it is filled with so many warm berry shades and a great selection of transition shades for all skin tones.

The packaging for this palette is a lovely dusky pink colour and it's actually a velvety material so super soft to touch. This has it's pros and cons while it might be easy on the eye, it collects dirt like a bitch and I haven't figured out how to clean it properly without ruining it yet. The palette definitely reflects the hefty price tag though 'cause it's beautiful!

Inside the palette are 14 of the most pigmented shadows I've ever used! It has a good variety of transition shades so is perfect for all skin tones, and those berry shades are to die for! If like me you love warm toned shadows, this is definitely a must have. I've only used this palette a few times, and as you can see it barely looks used.

All the shades have a great colour payoff and glide onto the skin like a dream! Most of the shades are matte, with only Tempera, Vermeer and Primavera being shimmer shades. This palette has such a great selection of colours, so it's easy to create a range of looks! The consistency of the shadows is nothing like I've ever used before, they are super creamy and a little definitely goes a long way!

I originally bought this palette from Beauty Bay which you can buy here. You can also get it on Cult Beauty by clicking here.

Glossybox May 2017

Hey everyone, I hope you're all well! 

I can't believe we're halfway through May already, it'll be Christmas before we know it!

Today I'm going to be unboxing this month's Glossybox and sharing my thoughts on the products I received.

The first item is this body scrub from Scrub Love, I've seen this brand so much on Instagram lately and I've been wanting to try their coffee body scrub for quite a while. The scrub I received is a detoxifying charcoal scrub. I've tried a few charcoal face masks and they've worked wonders for my skin so I can't wait to try this out! It's 100% natural meaning it's vegan friendly which is great! 

Up next is a body scrubber, which will pair perfectly with the Scrub Love body scrub! It has a soft side, and a scratchy side so you can get those hard to reach spots and keep your body silky smooth. I need to take care of my skin more, so getting this is one step closer to super smooth skin! It also has writing on it that will fade away when you need to replace your scrubber which I really like 'cause you never know when stuff like this is meant to be replaced.

The next product in my box is this balm from Dr PawPaw, a brand I've heard good things about. This balm can be used for almost everything, from lips and skin to hair! It contains aloe vera and olive oil which help nourish and soothe the skin. It's also cruelty and fragrance free, and vegan so it's perfect for everyone!

The next product is something I've tried before and it is the moisturizing sorbet from Caudalie. I absolutely love this stuff! It has quite a weird creamy gel texture, but leaves my skin feeling soft and really helps to calm my red patches on my cheeks. I would 100% recommend this to anyone that has sensitive skin that reacts to literally everything, you won't regret it!!

Last but not least is this blusher from Ruby, a brand I've never heard of before! I'm someone who doesn't normally wear a lot of blusher, so this is probably wasted on me but it is an absolutely gorgeous shade of coral! I think this would probably be too bright for me, but I might use it as an eyeshadow and see what I can do with it!

So that's everything in this month's Glossybox, I'd say I'm pretty happy with everything I got! I hope you enjoyed reading!

Organisation Tips & Tricks

Hey everyone, I hope you're well!

Today I have something a little bit different and it is my tips and tricks to staying organised!

Keep a diary. Whether it be a physical diary, or an app on your phone; writing down all your tasks and events will help you to keep on top of things and stop you from stressing out!

Set goals and deadlines. Even small goals will help, like rewarding yourself with a new pair of shoes if you stick to your gym schedule for a month. Setting goals gives you something to look forward to, and completing them feels even better.

Plan ahead. If you have a busy week, whether it be work, school or just life in general, making a plan is the best way to stay on top of it all. Keeping a diary will help with this because you'll know what's happening and when!

Make lists. Write down all the things you want/need to do, shopping list, chores, blog posts, everything! Ticking them off as you complete them will make you feel productive and help you stay motivated.

Keep your work space tidy. The last thing you need when trying to get work done is stuff all over the place! You're more likely to feel motivated to complete that essay if you have a tidy desk!

Get plenty of sleep. This is very important, especially ahead of a busy day. If you're preparing for exams, you're more likely to forget things if you haven't had enough sleep. Getting the right amount of sleep could determine how well you perform the next day!

That's all my tips for staying organised, I hope you find these helpful!

Primark Makeup Storage Review

I recently went browsing in Primark, not really looking for anything in particular and I stumbled across some makeup storage. I immediately had to look at everything and was shocked to find they had some super cute acrylic storage for just £2 so obviously I had to buy it!

 I picked up two of these multi-use storage units, which have space for 6 lipsticks, lip liners, and a few small compacts. As you can see, I've filled mine to the brim with products, and it's perfect for putting on my vanity so I can easily reach all my favourite products! I was so surprised at how much makeup they actually hold! I also have this unit in black, because I actually picked up the last clear one in my local shop, and while I'm not so much a fan of the black acrylic it still does it's job perfectly!

I also picked up two drawer sets which I've filled with products that I had no place for in my Alex drawers. I think these drawers were £4 which is such a good price for makeup storage! One of the drawers in one set does get stuck sometimes so the price does show but for 4 quid you can't really go wrong! They also have little rubber sheets inside that stop your products from moving around.

I've noticed some people have paid up to £30 for their acrylic storage, and while they do look a lot better than these sets, it all does the same thing! If you're on a budget, I'd definitely recommend these storage sets as they hold so much makeup and look really cute on your vanity/desk!

My Thoughts on 13 Reasons Why

Hey everyone, I hope you're all well!

Today I have something a little different, I'm going to be sharing my thoughts on the Netflix Original series 13 Reasons Why. 

*possible trigger warning and spoiler alert*

Just recently this series has been talked about all over social media and everyone is watching it. I've wanted to talk about the series since I first watched it myself, because I've read a lot of different people's opinions and theories and I feel like some people are missing the point of the show completely. I think it's a really great show, and the story behind it is something that is happening all over the world, but goes unnoticed in some cases. It highlights how something so little can affect someone, without anyone ever realising and sums up how some people are feeling right now.

Though I've not personally suffered from a mental illness, I have been bullied and I can tell you now it is awful! If you've ever been the victim of bullying, you'll know exactly how Hannah is feeling throughout the whole show. Everything she does is a cry for help, but no-one seems to realise which is heartbreaking. I'm not going to lie I was a complete mess after watching all the episodes, especially when she's explaining things to Clay. 

It's such a hard hitting series and but I feel like some people will watch and think "she's making a big deal out of nothing, that's just how school is" but some people deal with things a lot easier than others and obviously people forget that. I think if you've been bullied before, even the tiniest amount, you will understand what Hannah is feeling. I definitely think watching this series will make people realise how powerful their words can actually be. 

This series does as much for suicide awareness as it does for rape culture. With very graphic scenes of rape and sexual assault, it literally forces the viewer to think about what could be happening somewhere. It's a big slap in the face for ignorant people who don't believe these kind of things are going on. While there is a trigger warning at the start of the episode that shows rape/suicide, I feel like Netflix should have issued one at the start of the season for anyone that doesn't actually know what they're about to watch. 

I definitely feel like the producers of the show left it open for a second series which could focus on other mental health issues. I'd also personally like to find out how everything pans out, from Alex's attempted suicide, to the lawsuit between Hannah's parents and the school. I'd also love to know if Bryce gets his comeuppance for his disgusting attitude and behaviour to girls. 

I did really enjoy this series, and I've already recommended it to so many people because it's definitely an eye opener! It gives people an insight into how their actions and words can affect someone, and hopefully will make people nicer in general. 

If you know someone who is considering suicide or self harms, do something about it. Showing even the smallest amount of support for someone could make a world of difference. If you are suffering, the best thing you can do is talk to someone, whether it be a family member, a friend or even your doctor. There are people that can help. 

You are worth more than your mental illness, I promise.

April Favourites 2017

Hey everyone, I hope you're all well!

Today I have my monthly favourites for April, I can't believe we're into May already!!

I have to be honest, I didn't really try a lot of new things this month but the ones I did try, I fell in love with! 

BEAUTY

Primark PS Bronze Shadow & Shade Palette || After seeing so much hype over Primark's makeup range I wanted to check it out for myself so I went on a mini shopping spree and picked up a few things including this gorgeous eyeshadow palette. If you know me, you'll know I probably have way too many palettes already but I couldn't not buy this at only £4! The pigmentation isn't the best but you can't expect the world for a few quid! I love the shades in this palette, so much so that it's all I've been wearing this month!

Makeup Revolution Ultra Sculpt & Contour Kit || Something else I've used nearly everyday this month is this contour kit which includes a matte bronzer, a pink toned highlighter and a pink/gold shimmer blush. As you can see I've used the bronzer to death, and I think I'm probably going to hit pan soon! The highlighter isn't as 'blinding' as I'd have liked but it's a lovely shade and so is the blusher! This is perfect for travelling to save space, and it has everything you need including a small mirror all in one little palette!

Jeffree Star Cosmetics Liquid Lipstick in Daddy || I recently had a little shop on Beauty Bay and managed to pick up two thirds of the JSC x MannyMUA collab, the Daddy liquid lipstick and the Eclipse Skin Frost. Since my order got delivered I have been wearing Daddy non-stop! It's quite a cool toned nude on my skin and is great for everyday makeup looks. The formula is amazing, making application flawless and it lasts all day and night! If you want to see what else I picked up from Beauty Bay, click here.

TV & FILM

13 Reasons Why || Every man and his dog has watched this Netflix Original series, and while I really like the idea behind it (suicide awareness) I feel like there was a few flaws. I did really enjoy the series, and am patiently waiting for a second season to be announced. I'm thinking about writing a full post review of the series soon, so let me know if that's something you'd like to read!

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 || I know this film only came out in cinemas a few days ago but I've been so excited for it since the release date was announced! I went to see this on Friday, thankfully with preordered tickets as it was rammed, and thoroughly enjoyed it. I find Chris Pratt hilarious, as well as Rocket and Drax. I need to get myself a Baby Groot though, he's so cute!! If you're a fan of superhero action films, I'd definitely recommend this, it's great!

MUSIC

Maroon 5 ft Future - Cold

Little Mix ft Machine Gun Kelly - No More Sad Songs

Zedd ft Alessia Cara - Stay

John Gibbons - P.Y.T (Pretty Young Thing)

Linkin Park ft Pusha T & Stormzy - Good Goodbye

Kendrick Lamar - Humble

That's everything I loved in April, I hope you enjoyed reading! Leave a comment telling me one of your favourite things from last month!