My Make-Up Cheats Part 2

Welcome back to Part 2 of my Make-Up Cheats. In Part 1 we covered Toner, Foundation, Concealer, Powder and Eyebrows. If you missed it here is the link to check it out - Make-Up Cheats Part 1 . Today I'm talking about Blusher, Contouring, Eye shadow, Eyeliner, Mascara, Lipstick and Brushes.

6) Blusher
I love everything about blusher. It can make or break a look so knowing which brand and hue is right for you is really important. Although I can't help you with picking a hue I can help you with brands. My first recommendation is L'Oreal Le Blush True Match. When applied it goes on smoothly. Having spoken to many people who have used this product they have agreed that all the hues are amazing!

Boots: £7.69 Superdrug: £7.65

Another product which I adore is MaxFactor Miracle Touch Creamy Blush. It is so soft and light to apply. Some of the hues are a little too bold for me personally but it is one to look at if you have more tanned skin.

Boots: £6.99 Superdrug: £6.99

 

7) Contouring
I only usually contour my face on nights out but I always have a small contour kit in my daily makeup bag. I use Seventeen Define and Contour Kit. It comes in two shades - light and medium - which is okay but I don't see much difference between them. It comes with a little contour guide which is really helpful for first-time contours. Nevertheless it does it's job well and that is why I'm recommending it to you.

Boots: £5.99 Superdrug: n/a

 

8) Eye shadow
We've all gone through the terrible bold colour eye shadows which we'd like to forget. For me this meant leaving eye shadow out of my daily routine. However eye shadow is very important for the tone of your face. Rimmel Glam Eyes Quad Eye shadow does a beautiful combination of colours in one palette. You can use three tones to create a 'smoky' eye effect or stick to one hue. Whatever you decide suits you best it's a great quad to have.

Boots: £6.99 Superdrug: £6.99

Another really good palette to own is Maybelline Big Eyes Eye shadow. I think it is equally as good as Rimmel however the colours in each palette aren't always the ones I'm looking for. As I keep my make-up more neutral I find some hues are a bit too bold for me but if you do like the stronger look I'd definitely recommend this.

Boots: £6.99 Superdrug: £6.99

 

9) Eyeliner
Who doesn't love a good winged eyeliner!? Whether its a thin sweep of the brush or a thicker curve it defines a persons look. I like using Bourjois Liner Princeau Eyeliner as it gives a medium 'lick' of eyeliner and looks good during the day and at night. As a eyeliner rookie I liked how easy to hold it was and I felt comfortable moving it to create a straight pattern.

Boots: £6.99 Superdrug: £6.99

 

10) Mascara
Unfortunately most decent mascara comes at a heavier price. Rimmel London Wonder'full Mascara is one of the cheapest that still do a good job of lengthening and volumising lashes. It does get a bit clumpy nearer the end of it's lifespan but if you can live with that then I thoroughly recommend it to you.

Boots: £7.99 Superdrug: £7.99

Coming in a bit more pricey is MaxFactor Clump Defy Volumising Mascara. However it lasts me daily around 4-6 months! It does what it says and defies ALL CLUMPS and lengthens your lashes as well. It is well worth the buy.

Boots: £10.99 Superdrug: £10.99

 

11) Lipstick
I'm not a fan of lipstick myself so I've had to rely on the knowledge of my friends for this. They recommended Rimmel Kate Matte Lipstick. It lasted most of the day and stayed true to it's word and was matte. Kate Moss has a Comic Relief lipstick out currently raising money for children in Africa and UK - a worthy cause from a worthy lipstick.

Boots: £5.49 Superdrug: £5.49

Another lipstick mentioned was Revlon Super Lustrous Matte Lipstick (my friends are obviously in love with the matte look currently). It was very similar to Rimmel the only difference was they preferred the click of the lid to the tube on this one! (Trust them!) However they did also say it lasts longer and it's more of a weekend lipstick than a daily one. Why don't you try it and tell me what it's like?

Boots: £7.49 Superdrug: £7.49

 

12) Brushes

I don't think I can describe how much I love brushes! Oh my days! I only have one recommendation for brushes as I think they are the best of the best. Real Techniques Core Collection is absolutely amazing! It has a buffing brush, detailing brush, contouring brush and a pointed foundation brush - the essentials. It's a great save to buy them in a pack and I stress to everyone to use brushes instead of your hands as it's more hygienic. This set really helps, kick-starting those of us still unsure about brushes. Save up and buy them, they are really worth it!!

Boots: £21.99 Superdrug: £20.99

 

And that is it! The end of my make-up cheats. I hope you have enjoyed reading about my experience with products and you will try some of them in the near future! I've really enjoyed sharing this and I hope you read some of my other posts! I'll see you next time!

My Make-up Cheats Part 1

We've all been there, standing at a make-up counter counting up our pennies because 'it's the only concealer that works' and 'it's only £20'. Well ladies I am here to tell you different. Through my teenage years of experimenting I have created a list of make-up items which do the same (and maybe better) as all the expensive brands.

1) Toner
An unspoken essential which is extremely cheap. All you have to do is drink a litre of water each day and your skin will be glowing. Maintaining a healthy diet is good too as your skin needs nutrients from your food. I have been doing this for years and I've had barely any spots as a result.

2) Foundation
Well not quite. I find that using BB or CC cream instead of Foundation enhances the skin and gives it the love it deserves. The only disadvantage would be that it is quite thin however in summer that is what I'm looking for in my foundation. I use Maybelline Dream Fresh BB Cream.

Boots: £7.99 Superdrug: £7.99

 

If you aren't a fan of BB Cream or you have had a reaction to it then I also recommend Rimmel Match Perfect Foundation. I used it for a long time before the discovery of BB Cream and I feel it gives full coverage and doesn't fade away quickly, making it perfect for school or work.

Boots: £6.99 Superdrug: £6.99

 

3) Concealer

Concealer can be used for many different things - from hiding black circles around eyes to covering spots. I've been around every counter and only ever found two that work for me. The first one is Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer. It is great for covering up the underneath of your eyes and the sides of your nose (these are my problem areas).

 Boots: £4.19 Superdrug: £4.19

 

It's not so good for spots though which is why I turn to Rimmel Wake Me Up Concealer. It doesn't cover my eyes very well but its spot coverage is absolutely amazing!

 Boots: £5.49 Superdrug: £5.49

 

4) Powder

Powder is my favourite part of my make-up routine. I like my powder to be light but stop my forehead and nose shining. I've been using Revlon Nearly Naked Powder for about a year but I've also been switching it up using a powder I featured in my Glasgow Shopping Haul post. I prefer Revlon's powder as it lasts me about 3 months daily wear.

 

Boots: £7.99 Superdrug: £7.99

 



My other powder is L'Oreal True Match Powder which is slightly heavier than Revlon but gives a really good base for contouring. I wear this one when I'm going out or if there is a fancy night at my work. It is long-lasting and lasts me around 6 months but bear in mind that it isn't daily wear.

Boots: £8.19 Superdrug: £8.19





 

5) Eyebrows

I have only ever used one product for my eyebrows which get threaded every 3 to 6 months. The Body Shop Brow and Liner Kit is a miracle worker! I use it daily and going out, it's perfect! If you haven't tried it then please do! It is pricey at £10 but it is so worth it!

 

 

And that is the end of Part 1. I really hope you try some of the products I've spoken about and Part 2 will be published on Wednesday 25th February. Stay tuned and I'll see you next time!

How to Cope with Stress

Before I start I must make you all aware that I am not an expert in this field. This is purely from my experience.

For any teenager stress is a major part of your life. Whether it's a two page physics investigation due in the next day or a 15,000 word dissertation due in six weeks we have all at some point along the road gone 'eeeeeeeeek!'

Personally, I don't like talking about my feelings with my parents and I bottle things up inside me until they quite literally spill over in the form of tears, and lots of them. Which brings me onto my first point...

1) Its okay to cry!
Yes really, it has been scientifically proven to remove hormones (endorphins leucine-enkaphalin and prolactin) out of your body. By not crying your stress levels actually increase and you are more inclined to develop health issues like high blood pressure or heart problems.

2) Do speak to someone
I've already said I hate talking about my feelings to my parents but when I do get stressed out I go onto a website set up by 'ChildLine'. They are a charity run by professionals who are there anytime you need them. I write down what upset me and how I feel and send it off to one of there councillors who within 24 hours will reply and give guidance on my situations. I love 'ChildLine' and their confidentiality policy makes me trust them not to judge me. If you'd like to look at their amazing website the link is www.childline.org.uk

3) Take a break
It sounds crazy I know but when you are stressed one of the best things to do is to sit back and take a 10 minute break. During exam leave when I had all of my exams in 2 weeks my favourite thing to do was to meditate with an app called 'Headspace'. My school rector introduced me to it and I must confess I am addicted to it! www.headspace.com is an online version of what I used to get me through some of the most stressful points of my academic life. It takes 10 minutes out of your day and talks you through stages of meditation and relaxation. Give it a try and if you fall asleep then it's okay, that's what happens if you are relaxed!

4) Do some exercise
I don't use this often but I keep up an hour and a half dance class once a week to keep fit and take time out from studying. I know my friends go on a run for 10-15 minutes around their block for the same reason. It produces endorphins which make you happy and relaxed and it refocuses your brain.

5) Get some sleep
Those late nights spent with caffeine and an unfinished essay isn't actually worth it. Teenagers need on average 9 hours sleep a night so instead of messaging friends or watching Netflix do homework early and treat yourself afterwards.

6) Set Goals and To-Do Lists
It sounds so basic but at the start of every week and every day take 5 minutes and write a list of what needs done this week and then look at that and plan your days from it around pre-planned activities, like gym class or coffee date with your friends. Have a to-do list on your phone so whenever you need to add something on you can.

I hope you found this helpful and I'll see you next time!

Glasgow Shopping Mini-Haul

Whilst I was in Glasgow at the weekend I took to the shops, and I couldn't resist sharing what I bought with you!

Simple Micellar Cleansing Water! I have dry skin as supposed to sensitive but this cleansing water is the only one I've tried which hasn't dried up my skin. It takes all my makeup off in one pad and I have had less blemishes and outbreaks since I started using it once a day.













Simple Eye Make-Up Remover Pads are great! I tend to use Vaseline and cotton wool at home but I always have a packet of these in my wash bag for travelling. They make me eyes feel refreshed and clean and take ALL my mascara off!













Simple Oil balancing Moisturiser is one of the best products for oily skin. However it is also great for preventing forehead and nose shine when I can't be bothered doing my make-up. Its quite a small tube but apart from that I love it so much!

This is a bit of an odd one to put in and I'd like to point out I AM NOT PREGNANT but this cream does wonders for my stretch marked skin from all the growing I've done. (I've been 6 foot 3 for quite some time now) I apply it 3 times a day and it's working wonders! It also smells of chocolate, mmmmmm!

I go away a lot and I am currently using a see-through wash bag which I don't really like that much. When I saw this I just had to buy it, I love anything floral!

I thought I'd buy this as a change to my usual powder, Revlon's 'Nearly Naked'. Recently I've found that my powder isn't lasting as long and is going on heavier than I like it so new powder it is! I've tried L'Oreal Paris' 'True Match' before and I think it suits springtime wear, light and breathable but still giving off a colour. I think it is really important to change around make-up products every so often and get to know what suits your skin, it makes buying new makeup easier if your favourite brand is discontinued.








A trip to a Yankee Candle shop is always a trip worth taking! I have a little jar to put samplers into when I want to burn them and I find it so much cheaper to do that than buy the jars. Previously my favourite candles were 'Christmas Garland' and 'Fireside Treats' but I think 'Vanilla Cupcake' has become joint 2nd place with 'Fireside Treats' as I want to eat it whenever I burn it! I also bought 'Clean Cotton' for my mum because lets face it, who doesn't love the smell of freshly washed clothes in summer? 'Vanilla Chai' was on sale and as I love anything Vanilla it went in my basket! My little sister wanted to get 'Salted Caramel' and I'm so glad she persuaded me as it smells so much nicer burning than it did in the shop!! It's a very strong, sweet smell, which I thought was overpowering but I've fallen in love with it!



And that's it!! I really hope you enjoyed reading this post and I've inspired you to splash your cash or maybe try one of the many things I've spoken about. Thank you for reading and I'll see you next time!

Strictly Come Dancing Live Tour 2015

For anyone who doesn't know 'Strictly Come Dancing' is a British TV Series where celebrities learn to dance Ballroom and Latin dances. They have an annual tour up and down the UK in January-February and this year I was lucky enough to go along for the eighth time!!

The celebrities involved were Simon Webbe from Blue, Rachel Stevens from S Club 7, Rugby player and model Thom Evans (who looks even better in real life than in pictures) , TV Personality Alison Hammond, Radio 1 DJ Scott Mills, TOWIE Star Mark Wright and last and certainly not least my favourite TV Presenter Caroline Flack.

The Set

 

 
Before I even begin to describe the amazing atmosphere of Glasgow's SSE Hydro I think I should show you all what the set looked like before the show begun - how magical! Seating thirteen THOUSAND people sounds like an impossible feat for a one-off show let alone one stage of a tour but Strictly Come Dancing did it three nights and one matinee in a row and that was just in Scotland!!

And the band! I'm passionate about music to say the very least but the big band and the singers!! Their talent is to die for!! With the singers standing on the dance floor feet away from the dancers they dressed up in fezzes for Caroline Flack's Charleston (from the themed week 'Around The World') or pretended to swim around the floor for Scott Mills 'crabby' Samba.

The Group Waltz

My favourite part about the live shows are the mass group dances and they were (in the words of Craig Revel Horwood) FAB - U - LOUS! With our three judges Craig, Camilla Dallerup and Tom Chambers who were more than capable of dancing and host Zoe Ball who competed nearly ten years ago they were all dancing and I definitely felt like they were all a family! This photo was from their Waltz (which was to Frozen's 'Let It Go') and had the stunning professional dancer Karen Hauer on silks at the back - it was amazing!

I have to mention our Scot, Thom Evans. He came out in a kilt and waistcoat for his Latin dance and the turns he was doing aswell! I think the front row confirmed he was a true Scot!! Once he'd finished he grabbed Zoe Ball's mic and gave us a rendition of 'O Flower Of Scotland' which we all joined in with - of course. He also took his waistcoat off without hesitation and I can assure you he is one fine specimen of our human race!

Having been so many times I would've thought the atmosphere, the costumes and the tan would all have gotten pretty old but eight years on I'm still loving my 'Strictly' experience and by the reaction of the crowd last night I am not the only one.