Hello you beauties!

I now officially live in Brighton! I've been here since Saturday (23rd) and if I'm honest, I've not found it easy to settle in here and I still feel quite homesick, but I'm just trying to get stuck in with university work (which will be easier next week when my course actually starts).

Today's post is different to usual. As I am studying an English Literature and Creative Writing course at the University of Brighton, I thought it would be a good idea to share with you some of the creative writing I produce occassionally on this blog.

This piece of creative writing I want to share with you was written collaboratively - I wrote this alongside two other people on my course called Lauren McDonald and Stanley Westbrook (needed to give them credit too). We were given two pages of script about the London Riots of 2011. We had to write a poem using only the words on the extract that told an accurate story of the events.

Here it is:

Huge Blaze they were coughing
This huge blaze
Building a trophy fire
Fuel this smiling lad
The wind’s taking up an immense flame
“it was supposed to be us”
Euphoria up in flames
Rioting a-alight restrain him
(breathe)

(Breathe) ‘It weren’t supposed to be like this’
Ash raining down, an immense, flame, children there.
‘It weren’t supposed to be like this?’
Coughing, they couldn’t get out, throwing tires into
The fires to make it fuel even more.
‘It was supposed to be us and the police and the government’
But this is not Aldis, this is not McDonalds, this is not JD Sports.
(Exhales)

Huge Blaze! Immense Flame
Ash being blown; raining down
Cover our mouths; They’re ash clouds
Throwing tyres in the fire
The shop was ablaze

On Tottenham Road.

I can't wait to share some more of my creative writing with you in the future!

I'll be back next week with another post for you all.

Byeeee!

Hello you beauties!

I am back again with another tag! I love doing posts like this because not only does it allow you to learn more about me make-up wise, I also learn new things about myself. As this is mainly a beauty blog, then this post is obviously a beauty related post. But in the future I might try different tags too. But for now, let's get on with this one!

Skincare
1. How many times do you wash your face daily?
Everyday I wash my face twice a day. Nothing is an excuse not to.

2. What skin type do you have? (dry,oily,combo)
Combo skin - I have a very oily t-zone but dry skin around my nose, under my eyes and often on my cheeks.

3. What is your current facial wash?
I use the Skin Therapy Tea Tree Face Wash from Wilkos, which is amazing and it only costs 95p!!

4. Do you exfoliate?
I used to but not anymore.

5. What brand do you use?
My exfoliator? I used to use an exfoliator from Tesco's own range

6. What moisturizer do you use?
I use the Nivea sensitive cleansing milk as my moisturiser, but I use the Nivea day cream too sometimes.

7. Do you have freckles?
I do! I never thought they were that obvious but I have been noticing them more now. They're even more noticeable in the summer due to the sun. 

8. Do you use eye cream?
No I don't but I really feel like I should!

9. Do you or did you have acne prone skin?
Not really. I never really had many problems with spots/acne

10. Did you ever have to use Pro-activ?
No and I probably never will

Makeup

11. What foundation do you use?
I use the Rimmel London Wake Me Up Anti-Fatigue foundation in the shade True Ivory

12. How about concealer?
I use the Makeup Revolution Cover and Conceal palette in the shade Light-Medium

13. Do you know your undertone color?
No I've never really looked into it

14. What do you think of fake eyelashes?
They're not really something I would use myself but they do look good on other people if applied properly and appropriately

15. Did you know that you are supposed to change your mascara every 3 months?
I do know that and most of the time my mascaras run out before then anyway

16. What brand of mascara do you use?
I usually use Maybelline mascaras but I also own an Avon one

17. Sephora or MAC?
I have never really been in either store but I own a MAC lip pencil so I will have to say MAC

18. Do you have a MAC Pro-card?
No because I've never heard of one

19. What makeup tools do you use in make up application?
I only use Real Technique brushes

20. Do you use make-up base/primer for the eyes?
Yes I use the GOSH Prime 'n' Refresh primer

21. For the face?
I use my Nivea primer for my face

22. What is your favorite eyeshadow (color or shade)?
I usually stick with nudes

23. Do you use pencil or liquid eyeliner?
Pencil because I really struggle with making liquid eyeliners work. Even then, I hardly ever use eyeliner

24. How often do you poke your eyes with an eyeliner pencil?
All the fricking time!

25. What do you think of pigment eyeshadows?
The loose eyeshadows? I wouldn't use them personally and I think you're very talented if you manage to make them work

26. Do you use mineral makeup?
I've used a bareMinerals blusher before....

27. What is your favorite lipstick?
Surprisingly, my favourite is an Essence long-lasting lipstick in the shade 'Natural Beauty' (a lovely pink shade). It's such good quality for only £2.30!!

28. How about lip gloss?
I don't really use lip gloss, but when I do I only use the Tanya Burr Cosmetics lip glosses.

29. What is your favorite blush to use?
My bareMinerals READY blush in the shade 'The Whisper'

30. Do you buy your makeup on ebay?
No. I'd rather buy my makeup in store or on websites that I trust such as Superdrug

31. Do you like drugstore makeup?
I love it. I usually only use drugstore makeup, although I do own a few high end products

32. Do you go to CCO’s? (cosmetic company outlets)
Not really

33. Did you ever consider taking make-up classes?
No I'm not interested. I just do all this for fun and I don't care if I don't do it 'professionally'

34. Are you clumsy in putting on makeup?
Usually because most of the time I leave it too late to do my makeup so I end up rushing it

35. Name a makeup crime that you hate?
What I call 'slug' eyebrows. Really thick eyebrows. I'll insert a picture if you don't know what I mean.

36. Do you like colorful shades of makeup (lipstick,eyeshadow) or neutral ones?
I like more colour on my eyes, even though I do use a lot of nudes I do sometimes venture out and use blues and reds, whereas I pretty much stick with nudes and light pinks on my lips

37. Which celebrity always has great make up?
I have answered this before; Selena Gomez

38. If you could leave the house using just ONE make up item,what would you use?
My Maybelline Master Brow Pro Palette because I hate going out without filling my eyebrows in!

39. Could you ever leave the house without any makeup on?
I sometimes do like when I am going to work. I hate going out without makeup on but sometimes I just have to - it's not that I'm not allowed to wear makeup to work but I work around fast food and get very warm and then my makeup just basically 'falls' off and goes all smudgy and patchy so there's really no point wearing it to work.

40. Do you think you look good even without any makeup on?
Not really, but then again I don't necessarily like how I look either way

BONUS QUESTION 1: In your opinion, what is the BEST makeup line?
Maybelline. I have only ever had a problem with one of their products but I bought that from somewhere for really cheap. But overall I find their products to be almost perfect

BONUS QUESTION 2: What do you think of Makeup?
Makeup is great and is fun to use. And if you want to use it as a cover up then I have no problem with that because I know some people feel more comfortable wearing it (like me)

Well that was my 40 Beauty Questions tag! This was so fun to do and I hope you find it equally as fun to read (even if it was really long!)!

I'll be back again on Saturday with another post for you all but until then, enjoy!

Thank you!!

Hello you beauties!

I am the sort of person that cannot leave the house without wearing make-up, unless I am going to work. I usually use the same products every day, and often the same look everyday, so I thought I would bring you a post telling you my everyday make-up routine/look! Enjoy!

1. The first step will be to apply a spritz of my Makeup Revolution Fixing Spray (£6), While it is a setting spray, I do find that it really helps to hold your make-up if applied under the primer base as well as over the top of your powder.

2. I then apply my oh-so-loved Nivea Daily Essentials Hydration Primer (£4.99) as a base for my make-up. If I'm honest, this is the only primer I have ever tried so I can't claim that it is the best, but I do think that it does a pretty good job. I will be open to trying other ones in the future but I am pretty happy sticking to this one for now.

3. I then apply my foundation, and I use the Rimmel London Wake Me Up Anti-Fatigue Foundation (£8.99), which is know is also popular among YouTubers such as Zoe Sugg and Louise Pentland. This is the first foundation I used as I was scared to try foundation, worried that I'd end up over-doing it. But I found this foundation is really easy to use, and I now use it pretty much everyday to try and create a flawless look.

4. Next I apply concealer. I know some people like to apply their concealer before their foundation, but I find that I can offer myself better coverage if I apply concealer afterwards. I use the Makeup Revolution Cover and Conceal Palette (£6) and while not all the shades are perfect, it is really easy to mix different shades to create something that you want and I find myself using this religiously on any spots/blemishes and under-eye bags.

5. Then, I decide to apply my blusher. I never really used to wear blusher, but have decided to experiment more with it now and I am actually loving it! I find myself switching between the Makeup Revolution Ultra Blush Palette in Hot Spice (£6) which offers 8 different shades from brighter, lighter pinks to darker, more toned down pinks, to even a coral shade. Even though they're really pigmented, they don't stand out immensely which creates the perfect look. I am also enjoying using my beloved bareMinerals READY blush (£22) in the shade the Whisper, which is a very toned down, neutral shade, and I usually use this on my more natural, barely there, days.  While it's more expensive - over 3 times the price for only one shade!- it really is good quality and will see myself buying their blushers again in the future.

6. Then, it is time for the eyebrows! I used to use pencils, but found they could be tricky as the shades weren't always perfect for my eyebrows, so I recently invested in the Maybelline Master Brow Pro Palette (£6.99) in the shade Soft Brown. I am extremely pleased with this product and it's so easy to use. I find myself reaching for it everyday now.

7. Now, I would apply my eye primer onto my lids ready for my eyeshadow. Usually I use the GOSH Prime 'n' Refresh Illuminating Roll-On Eye Primer (£7.99), which is great and helps my eyeshadow to stay perfect for a few hours and it is still easy for me to apply my eyeshadow. It does crease, however, after a few hours, but it's better than I expected. However, I also often use the Korres Anti-Ageing Eye Primer (£15). This primer is easy to apply and blend, and I sometimes only apply this without putting eyeshadow on top and it gives a little colour and light to my eyes. It's not amazingly easy to apply your eyeshadow on top, but I find this works even better than the GOSH one does. I can go hours wearing my makeup and not having to top up my make-up and most of the time when I return home 8 hours later, my eyeshadow is almost as perfect when I return as when I went out.

8. Then I apply my eyeshadow which is my favourite part of my whole routine. I only ever use the Makeup Revolution Flawless Palette (£8) with 32 shades. With such a huge array of shades on offer, I can create countless combination looks just from the one palette. I usually use a plain neutral shade on the whole of my lid, and then a glitter shade down near my eyelashes which I then blend out. Having not even dared use glitter eyeshadows in the past, this palette is really helping me to try something new.

9. What better way to complete your eye make-up than the perfect mascara!? My favourite mascara, and also usually my go-to mascara is the Maybelline The Colossal Go Extreme Volum' Waterproof Mascara (£6.99). I prefer waterproof mascaras as I find that they stay put a lot longer than non-waterproof ones, and that's useful because I am on the move A LOT. This mascara also adds great volume and a lot of colour to your lashes.

10. Next it is time for my lips. This, I find is always the hardest part of the whole look. Do I go for a matte look or stick to gloss? Do I wear lipstick or use a lip crayon? Will this go with my lip liner or should I just not bother with that today? So many questions, so much choice. Usually, I go for my Collection Work The Colour Lip Butter (£2.99) in the shade Cappuccino which is a very basic but subtle neutral shade for my lips. I am also loving my Essence Long-Lasting Lipstick (£2.30) in the shade Natural Beauty which is a very toned down pink, perfect for that pop of colour that isn't over the top.

11. Finally, I finish with any spritz of the Makeup Revolution Fixing Spray, and then a light dusting of my Rimmel Stay Matte Pressed Powder (£3.99) in the shade Translucent. This has to be the best powder I have ever used. It does exactly what it promises, and does not get patchy at all. I would highly recommend this product, and it creates the perfect finish to my look.

So that is my daily look.

Overall, my everyday make-up look totals £68.24 - £91.94! Wow! A lot more than I expected!

Maybe one day I will be brave enough to upload a picture of me wearing that look, but for now I will leave you with this post and your vivid imaginations. I hope you all enjoyed reading this and I will be back on Wednesday with another post for you all.

Thank you!!

Hello you beauties!

Today I thought I would let you all know a little bit more about me, but also something beauty related. So here is my 30 Beauty Questions Tag!

1. Do you remember your first makeup item?
Yes, it was a Miss Sporty nude lipstick when I was about 12 years old.

2. Describe your perfect mascara. Have you found one that fits your specifications?
My perfect mascara would be one that curls my lashes, adds volume and adds colour and is also waterproof. I have not found one in my price range yet that is anywhere near perfect.

3. What kind of coverage do you prefer from foundation?
I prefer light to medium coverage. As I am on the move a lot I hate anything with heavy coverage.

4. Favourite high-end brand?
I only wear drugstore make-up so this is a question that I cannot answer.

5. What cosmetic brands have you always wanted to try but still haven’t?
Oh, it’s a massive list. NARS, Mac, Laura Mercier, Bobbi Brown, Urban Decay, etc.

6. Favourite drugstore brand?
It’s hard to choose one favourite, but I love Makeup Revolution and Maybelline.

7. Do you wear fake eyelashes?
Never. I find them so difficult and fiddly to apply that I just end up giving up.

8. Is there any kind of makeup you can’t leave the house without?
I always have to take my lip colour of the day out with me.

9. What is your most cherished beauty product?
My No.7 Moisture Drench Lipstick in the shade ‘Shiny Conker’. It’s the best lipstick I have ever used.

10. How often do you shop for makeup? Do you like to pick up an item here and there or get loads of goodies at once?
I usually only buy things when I actually need them, e.g. when I am getting low. However, sometimes I may treat myself if I see anything that I really genuinely like the look of.

11. Do you have a beauty budget or do you spend freely?
I always make sure I don’t go over the top, but I always just spend whatever I can afford to buy.

12. Do you utilise coupons, reward cards and sales when you shop for cosmetics?
Always, I’ll do anything to save money. I find that if you save money, the money you have saved can be put towards another product. I have any reward card that anywhere offers (including Superdrug, Boots and The Body Shop), as I shop at a large range of places.

13. What types of products do you buy the most?
Mainly eyeshadows and nail polishes - I have a whole tub full of every shade of nail polish you can imagine!

14. Is there a brand that you absolutely cannot stand?
Natural Collection, as I find it is a waste of money. This brand is hardly even visible on my skin, so I don’t like paying for a product that doesn’t do anything.

15. Do you avoid certain ingredients in cosmetics like parabens or sulphate?
No I’m not bothered about this sort of thing.

16. Do you have a favourite place to shop for makeup?
Superdrug is definitely my favourite make-up store.

17. Do you like trying new skincare products or do you keep a certain routine?
I usually have a set routine (I love using the Nivea products) but I am always open to trying new products if anyone has something they would like to recommend.

18. Favourite bath and body brand?
The Body Shop. I have bought loads from this brand and will continue to do so in the future.

19. If you could only buy from one brand, which brand would you choose?
Maybelline. I trust their products more than another other drugstore brand.

20. What brand do you think has the best packaging?
Barry M. This packaging is so cute and bright and colourful that it’s just a fun brand to have in your makeup bag.

21. Which celebrity always has great makeup?
Selena Gomez. I am always in love with her look.

22. Do you belong to any online makeup communities?
No I do not.

23. 5 favourite beauty gurus?
I don’t actually have a favourite as the only Youtubers I watch are Zoella and Sprinkle of Glitter.

24. Do you like multifunctional products like lip and cheek stains?
No but I have seen the Seventeen and Maybelline ones and I am keen to try them.

25. Are you clumsy when putting on makeup?
Sometimes, if I am in a rush first thing in the morning.

26. Do you use makeup base/primer for the eyes?
Yes I do. I use the GOSH Eye Primer & Refresh (which I bought from Superdrug for £7.99).

27. How many hair products do you use on a typical day?
I usually just use Tesco’s own brand hair serum and hairspray, but if I am straightening my hair then I use an Argan Oil Heat Protection spray.

28. What do you apply first, concealer or foundation?
Always my foundation, as I can then see which places on my face need extra coverage from my concealer.

29. Do you ever consider taking makeup classes?
No as I don’t really have time to.

30. What do you love about makeup?

I love that it helps to give me confidence in how I look.

I tag you all to complete this too!

Thank you!

Hello you beauties!

I’m back with another post, yet it’s not about beauty or fashion. I apologise for that, but I thought the next few posts should just be focused on you all getting to know me before I pour my heart and soul into this blog.

So firstly, I am bringing you a post about my favourite things. So let’s get straight into it :)

1. What is my favourite place?

I would have to say Chester. It’s amazing for shopping, the building are beautiful and it is very close to the Welsh border, meaning it’s just a very short train ride over to explore another country.

2. Who is my favourite person?

This is hard to decide on just one. I’d have to say my parents and my brother.

3. What is my favourite colour?

Purple. Definitely purple.

4. What is my favourite food?

Chips, or if you’re from America then these are what you call fries.

5. What is my favourite book?

‘A Little Princess’ by Frances Hodgson Burnett

6. What is my favourite movie?

‘The Young Victoria’ (secret fact: Victoria is my favourite ever British monarch!)

7. Who is my favourite music artist/group?

Abba

8. What is my favourite genre of music?

Pop

9. What is my favourite genre of literature?

Historical or Romance (or maybe both mixed together)

10. What is my favourite magazine?

‘Teen Vogue’, even though I do read and enjoy the Now! Magazine every now and again.

11. What is my favourite time of the day?

The evening

12. What is my favourite day of the week?

Friday. I would say Saturday but I usually work that day. So it’s Friday because I get to relax a lot during the day as I’m only at college for a couple of hours.

13. What is my favourite thing to do when I’m bored?

Colouring. I am actually obsessed with this, and avidly collect colouring books (including two Harry Potter ones!). It is really relaxing though, so it’s not only good when you’re bored, but when you’re stressed too.

14. Who is my favourite celebrity?

Sal Vulcano (from ‘Impractical Jokers’)

15. What was/is my favourite school/college subject?

English. I actually plan to study English Literature with Creative Writing at university.

16. What is my favourite drink?

Orange juice. My favourite alcoholic drink would probably be alcopops such as WKD and Smirnoff Ice.

17. What is my favourite animal?

Zebras (you can probably guess that from the pictures uploaded).

18. What is my favourite flower?

Tulips

19. What is my favourite time in history?

The 1920s

20. What is my favourite video game?

The Sims (3, 4 and Medieval)

21. What is my favourite TV show?

The Big Bang Theory

22. What is my favourite play?

Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare

23. What is my favourite fruit?

Strawberries

24. What is my favourite vegetable?

Mushrooms

25. What is my favourite shop?

My favourite shop for beauty is Superdrug. My favourite shop for fashion is New Look.

26. What is my favourite article of clothing?

Grey cardigan from Primark

27. Who is my favourite historical figure?

Anne Frank

28. What is my favourite boy’s name?

Isaiah

29. What is my favourite girl’s name?

Evangeline

30. What is my favourite season?

Winter

31. What is my favourite month of the year?

August (even though my birthday is in September)

32. What is my favourite word?

Dazzle

33. What is my favourite letter?

Z

34. Who is my favourite Disney princess?

Cinderella

35. What is my favourite YouTube channel/YouTuber?

Zoella

36. What is my favourite dessert?

Chocolate fudge cake

37. What is my favourite candy/sweet?

Sour Patch Kids

38. What is my favourite restaurant?

Red Hot World Buffet

39. What is my favourite language?

French. And I am quite confident at reading it too (random fact: I got an A* in my GCSE French reading exam!)

And here is a fact about myself for you all….

40. I am retaking my first year at college. Last year I studied English Literature, Biology, History and Psychology. This year I am studying English Literature (again!), English Language and Maths. I plan to go to Oxford or Brighton to study English Literature with Creative Writing.

So here were some of my favourite things. Of course, there are many other things I love too. If you want to know anything else about me, feel free to ask me in the comments, through an email or on Twitter.

In the next post I will be answering some beauty tag questions for you all, and then I will be bringing you my first ever beauty box review!

Hope you all enjoyed reading this

Thank you!!!