Hello you beauties!

It has been over 6 months since I wrote a beauty 'lust list'. 6 months is such a long time, and in that time so much has changed in that time. So much. And one part of the change is definitely beauty items I want to buy. With so much new makeup constantly being released, my list grows longer and longer by the day.

1. A Morphe eyeshadow palette
I've always wanted a Morphe eyeshadow palette as I've heard how amazing they are - I've heard that they're so, so pigmented and blend easily. They seem to be really affordable too and the only reason I haven't yet bought one is because I own a lot of eyeshadow palettes at the moment and want to get them used before I buy any more. Also I would find it so difficult to choose just one to buy as all of them have such amazing shade ranges in them!

2. Nip+Fab foundation
I have heard great things about this foundation and while I have already found some decent foundations that I feel work enough for me, I have yet to find the perfect foundation. One day I hope to try this foundation in case it's the right one for me.

3. A fan brush
Although this isn't a product from a specific brand, I am in desperate need of a decent fan brush for my highlighter. At the moment I use the setting brush from Real Techniques to apply my highlighter but I know many people use fan brushes so I want to try one and see if it makes any difference to my look.

4. Makeup Revolution Retro Luxe Lip Kits
I own so many lip products already that I probably don't need anymore but I am currently lusting over the Makeup Revolution Lip Kits! I have seen Sophdoesnails using these in her videos before and have seen them in Superdrug stores - they seem amazing and I am desperate to try them. They seem to have such a great range of shades and finishes too, while being such an affordable price. I'll definitely have to try at least on shade of these out soon.

So these are just a few things I have been tempted to buy recently and hopefully one day I will own them. Is there anything you've been lusting over?

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

Hello you beauties!

Today, again, is a non-beauty post because I have been doing some more writing for my university course and so I wanted to share it with you all again.

This is a poem inspired by feminism. My seminar leader told us to use the word feminism as inspiration then asked us to spend 5 minutes doing some free-writing, writing down whatever we thought of when we think about 'feminism'. Then from this free-writing we did, we then had to create a poem from it.

While my poem is actually inspired by feminism, I suppose you could argue that it is actually an anti-feminism poem. While doing my free-writing, all I could think about was a conversation I once had with my boyfriend. We were talking about how, in the modern day, if something were to go wrong in our relationship, he would automatically be blamed just because he is male. That made me think about how, even though feminism can be empowering if used properly, SOME people take it too far and use it as an excuse to physically, verbally and emotionally attack males, which isn't fair.

So here is my poem:

Objectified, by the women -
Beaten down day by day
They scream, scream loud
In the ear of society; listing
The patriarchy's faults one by one
While beating man to a pulp;
Chasing him like ravenous hounds
Just to force the high heel
Deep in his throat.

I hope you all enjoyed my poem and I would love it if you wanted to give me feedback so I can grow as a writer. 

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

Byeeee!

Hello you beauties!

I hope you enjoyed my creative writing post last week. My course started officially 2 days ago so I'm sure as time goes on I will have a lot more creative pieces to share with you all.

Today I wanted to discuss with you the different ways that I apply my foundation and which way I find works best for me.

The first way I apply my foundation is obviously with brushes. In a previous post last year, I wrote about my makeup brush collection and so you all know that most of my brushes are Real Techniques brushes. Back when I wrote that collection post, I had only a few makeup brushes but now I have quite a few more which means I have managed to experiment with different brushes to see which I prefer when applying my foundation.

One of my favourites has to be the Real Techniques Buffing Brush (which I bought in their Core Collection set) as it is not too big but the perfect size to cover a larger area - you don't find yourself taking a long time to apply your foundation as you're not using a small brush. It's also got extremely soft bristles meaning it doesn't hurt and doesn't leave streaks in your foundation as you apply it.

I also like the Expert Face Brush from Real Techniques too. It's almost the same as the Buffing Brush but just a little bit smaller. It makes it easier to get into the tighter spots, such as just around the nose. It does take a bit longer with this brush than the other one though, so I would recommend using them both rather than just one or the other.

Another way I apply my foundation is with sponges. I know that recently these have become a more popular way to apply foundation rather than brushes as they leave a more natural feel to it. I know you're supposed to use these sponges damp but there are times, depending on what coverage I want, that I decide to use them dry. When used dry, I find they offer more coverage whereas used damp I find that it makes your foundation look more natural and feel lighter.

There are two sponges I used. One is from EmaxDesigns in a set I received last Christmas, which is the same shape as the original Beauty Blender. I find this one is best if used dry and really does apply your foundation well and doesn't absorb the foundation into the sponge much.

The second sponge is one that I cannot remember the brand of but is shaped much like the Real Techniques sponges and is also orange (before you say anything, yes I'm 100% certain that it isn't a Real Techniques sponge). This one is great wet or dry, and I love the feeling it gives with my foundation when I do use it damp. It really does give a flawless finish and because each part is a different shape, it is great for any part of your face.

The final way I sometimes apply my foundation is with a silicone sponge, which I know have now become more popular. These are popular as the design and material are supposed to make it so that you do not waste any product, meaning you have to use less foundation and so your foundation (which is even more great if it's an expensive foundation) lasts even longer and means you don't have to repurchase it as often as you did before. Also, these sponges are supposed to mean more coverage from your foundation too. I don't own an expensive one, just one that I bought from Makeup Revolution.

Out of the 3 ways, I would have to say that sponges are my personal favourite. Just the way they can offer so much from just one product and there are so many out there to chose from. I particularly love the natural look they can help me to create.

Honestly, my least favourite of the 3 has to be the silicone sponge. It may be because the one I own is quite cheap and so probably isn't the best to represent the product as a whole, but I just didn't find it as impressive as the other ways of applying foundation. I found it so difficult to apply my foundation using on of these sponges with making it look like I was wearing a mask, as especially round my neck it was very hard to blend and is also not easy to use on and around your nose. I ended up having to go over my foundation again with a normal sponge, so I feel I may as well have just used that in the first place.

What do you prefer to use to apply your foundation? Any brands/products that you would recommend?

I'll be back next week with a new post for you all.
Byeeee!

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 have been blogging now for almost a year and a half and one question I don't usually ask myself is this; why do I actually blog? Now that I've actually asked myself that question, I've realised how important it is to actually consider the reasons why I do blog and I wanted to share these with you.

I do not (and have never) expect global fame from this blog. That would be selfish for me to want that. Okay yes, it would be nice to be recognised for my work as every writer wants but I actually want to work for it and know that people genuinely enjoy reading my articles. Of course I want my work to be appreciated by the public because it does take time to write these posts for you all but at the end of the day I genuinely just enjoy writing and will continue with this blog even if it turns out no one is actually reading it.

I have enjoyed writing for as long as I can remember, but most of this time I have written short stories, or poems, or attempted to write novels. Once I discovered my love for makeup and decided that journalism is a career I would want to pursue, I decided to create this blog to share my passion whilst gaining some experience that I hope will help me in the future.

Journalism definitely is a fascinating career in my eyes and I know it is something that I would enjoy. It's not just writing news reports for the BBC, although that could be an interesting role to take on. With the influence of the internet growing stronger and stronger, I wanted to experiment with blogging first and hopefully learn more about journalism in the future with my university course.

Just writing about something I am passionate about makes blogging fun for me, and it gives me something to focus on. Something to be proud of. Shouldn't we all be proud of the things we manage to produce? If I had no goals in my life, then what's the point? This blog allows me to develop as a writer, to consolidate my writing style.

Do you run a blog? Why do you blog?

I'll be back next week (from Brighton!) with a new post for you all.
Byeeee!

Hello you beauties!

I honestly never thought I would be writing a post like this as I really never thought I would end up getting a tattoo. Don't get me wrong, I have always wanted one but I have a major fear of needles so I knew I would never be able to deal with one. Oh how wrong I was!

It was my 20th birthday on Saturday and my parents didn't know what to get for me. I mentioned to my mum a few weeks before that I was interested in getting a tattoo and so my parents gave me money to put towards a tattoo and so I booked my appointment for the 9th September - the day of my actual birthday.

I was terrified, if I'm completely honest. As I've said before, I have a major fear of needles and I was worried that this would all end badly. But the design I chose to have tattooed on me meant too much for me to give up on it.

That's because I chose to have purple tulips tattooed on my left forearm, in memory of my grandfather who died back in May 2009. Tulips were his favourite flower and became my favourite flower once he died because they reminded me of him and every great memory of him that I had. So I wanted something permanent to show my love for him, and so that he could be with me wherever I went. So despite the fact that I was terrified of needles, I knew I had to do it.

The pain was unbearable at points and I even had to ask for a break half way through because I felt like I was going to pass out from the pain. But once the tattooist had opened a window, put a fan on and given me a drink of sugared water, I felt much better and ready to carry on. It helped that after the break I chose to look away from the needle as my design was being etched into my skin, as before I was watching it.

Parts of it were more painful than others, especially the white highlights and as the design reached further to my wrist. But after around an hour, it was all over and I now had such a beautiful design with an amazing background on my arm.

I don't regret my tattoo at all but will probably never get another one, as I doubt I could handle that pain again. I would also only recommend a tattoo if you can handle pain well which I know plenty of people can - but I definitely can't.

I might change my mind about this in the future, as my boyfriend's mum has many tattoos and told me that once you get one, you get 'the itch' where you just want more and more and more. But for now, I am pretty content with just the one.

Do you have any tattoos or planning/hoping to get one? What design would you like?

I'll be back next week with a new post for you all.
Byeeee!

Hello you beauties!

Even though this is supposed to primarily be a beauty blog but I do realise that recently I have been writing about everything but makeup. That's mainly because recently I have not really been wearing much makeup so I've not really felt like I can talk about makeup. So today I have decided to answer 20 questions I have seen around the internet to really get me thinking about makeup, why I like it and what's important to me. And I wanted to share it with you.

1. Do you remember your first makeup item?
I can't remember the exact first item but I can remember a couple of things. I remember when I was around 12 my mum took me out shopping for makeup for the first time, for my birthday. Obviously I was young and my mum always encouraged me to be confident and comfortable with who I am so she didn't really encourage the use of makeup. So the first items of makeup I can remember buying/owning is a brown mascara from Asda, a nude lipstick from Miss Sporty and a nude lipstick from NYC.

2. Describe your perfect mascara. Have you found 'The One'?
I don't think I've found 'The One' yet but I've definitely found some mascaras I am very impressed with. I want a mascara that will curl my lashes and add volume (not too much but enough for them to give life to my eyes). The mascara that I have found that does the best job for this is definitely the Maybelline 'The Colossal' mascara.

3. What coverage do you like in a foundation?
Although ideally everyone would love a full coverage, I personally feel like I would prefer a medium coverage. Something to cover up my imperfections but not something that will literally create a mask. The best one I have found so far for this is the L'Oreal Infallible 24 Hour Matte Foundation.

4. What's your favourite high end brand?
There are many high end brands that I like, but I'd probably say BareMinerals. I usually only buy my high end products from T K Maxx as it's the only way I can really afford it, and the BareMinerals items I have bought from there (which is quite a few) have never disappointed me.

5. What cosmetics brand are you desperate to try but haven't yet?
Definitely Morphe. I've always wanted to own one of their amazing eyeshadow palettes. I'm currently trying to use up some of my other eyeshadows first before I can justify buying one of the Morphe palettes.

6. Favourite drugstore brand?
I am obsessed with Makeup Revolution. Most of the items in my collection are actually from Makeup Revolution and some of the first makeup items I actually owned in my current selection were Makeup Revolution. Why not!? It's such an affordable brand!

7. Do you wear fake eyelashes?
No I don't actually. But I've always wanted to try them and see if they'd make any difference to my look. I just don't feel like I would have the patience for them!

8. What is your most cherished beauty product?
Probably my Stila eyeshadow palette. I worked in a pub for about a week and saved up all my tips specifically so I could buy this palette so I honestly believe it is the product I should treasure the most.

9. How often do you buy a makeup product?
Not a lot anymore but I think it got to the point where I was buying a new thing every time I was going anywhere near a shop, which could be every week, sometimes twice a week. It was obsessive, and I now own so much makeup that I don't know what to do with it all. I actually had to get my boyfriend to ban me from buying makeup because I was buying so much of it.

10. Do you have a monthly beauty budget or spend freely?
I don't have a budget but I won't let myself spend too much. If I feel like I'm starting to spend too much, I'll just stop myself from buying anything new.

11. Do you utalise coupons, reward cards and sales for your beauty products?
Of course! Reward cards are my favourites. In fact, my purse is just filled with them. But I don't see why you wouldn't want to use them. It's free to sign up to them and you can get so many free things with them.

12. Which beauty product do you buy the most of?
Definitely lipsticks! I'm obsessed with them and love exploring different shades that I could possibly use. I am particularly fascinated by the range of lip products from the NYX brand.

13. Is there a brand that you really don't like?
Not really, as there are items from most brands that I like but also items from those same brands that I don't like.

14. Do you avoid certain ingredients in cosmetics like parabens or sulphates?
No I don't but I usually avoid makeup from places such as pound shops because I find that they usually cause a break out on my skin.

15. Do you have a favourite place to shop for makeup?
For drugstore makeup I prefer to shop at Superdrug and for high end makeup I tend to go to T K Maxx.

16. Do you like trying new skincare products or sticking to a routine?
If I'm completely honest, I'm quite naughty when it comes to skincare and tend to neglect it. But when it comes to face wash and moisturiser I tend to stick to the same thing every time as I know what works for me and what doesn't.

17. What's your favourite Bath&Body brand?
Definitely Treaclemoon. I religiously buy my body washes from their brand.

18. If you could only buy from one brand, who would you pick?
Makeup Revolution 100%. It's a great price and I know it works for me. Plus most of my makeup collection is Makeup Revolution at the moment anyway.

19. What do you love about makeup?
The fact that it allows me to experiment and be crazy while learning to love myself for who I am. And for me to be able to share my love of makeup with many people around the world.

20. Is there any makeup you can't leave the house without wearing?
Surprisingly not as I have been going out of the house without wearing makeup for a while recently.

Why don't you think about these questions with regards to yourself and let me know what your responses would be?

I'll be back next week with a new post for you all.
Byeeee!