Now I know this isn't exactly halfway through the year but I was inspired by reading Zoella's latest post and, considering my already reflective mood, decided to follow suit.
The name of this blog doesn't just symbolise my need to inject colour into my wardrobe, it symbolises my need to inject colour into my entire life. To push myself to do new things and strive to be the happiest and best person I can be.
Over the last 6/7 months I feel like I have done just that. Grabbing life by the balls and not giving a crap about what other people might say.
This has been a slow process though, over the last couple of years really I have been trying to be a better judge of character in an attempt to surround myself with good, caring people. I found myself surrounded by people who didn't have as much time for me as I did for them, they made me desperately unhappy and putting a stop to that made me feel like I was taking back some of the control I felt I'd lost.
This year, these feelings started to creep back again so these past few months I have started this process all over again. I give a lot to my friendships and relationships; having people around you that at least give a rats arse about you is something I think everyone deserves. It may surprise you that you actually can CHOOSE your friends, you aren't obliged to do anything.
This has resulted in (now I'm home from uni and all my friends are scattered across the country) me being alone a lot of the time. However, it makes me appreciate my true friends all the more and makes me appreciate all the time I get to spend with them.
I have pushed myself to do new things this year, I have been travelling for one! It scared the living daylights out of me but I managed to do it, and I met some incredible people. You can see my post here. I have driven long distance, joined a gym, dyed my hair wonderous colours and generally just smiled more.
As for actually wearing more colour, I think you guys can judge that! All my hauls and lookbooks and OOTD posts seem to be getting brighter and crazier by the minute! Maybe its how happy I'm feeling right now that is coming out in my personal style, or maybe I am just going round the bend.
You can check out my new years resolutions post here.
Loves xxx
Thursday, 25 July 2013
Tuesday, 23 July 2013
Along Came Betty Review
I have made a rather exciting discovery in Tesco blog lovelies! Popping in for a few bits and pieces just happened to take me down the cosmetics aisle, and this section full of pink just caught my girly-magpie eye.
Everything was on offer at the time and, despite how little stock there was left, I picked up a few different pieces to try out. That being said, the products are insanely cheap as they are, most coming at around £5 and I didn't see anything for more than £10 in the stand.
(On Offer)
Clean Around The Clock Creamy Shower Wash - £3.99
The Prime Of Your Life Illuminating Primer - £4.99
Wow Lashes Mascara - £3.99
The packaging is very Soap & Glory; pretty and vintage inspired but still sturdy and practical. I think that's why I was drawn to it...who doesn't love a cheaper version of a great brand! Plus it is far too cute to resist.
Firstly the Clean Around The Clock shower wash smells divine. It's sweet but really fresh at the same time and makes my skin lovely and soft. I like something that can leave a subtle fragrance on my skin, particularly something uplifting.
The Prime Of Your Life illuminating primer is a new type of product for me. I've never used a face primer before, only eye ones, but considering I have very large pores I think I should probably jump on the bandwagon!
This is very silky, pink-toned primer with a slight gold shimmer to it, I found it instantly evened out my complexion and gave me a nice healthy glow. I have used this under foundation to just make me look a bit more 'awake' but I think it would look lovely by itself with just a little setting powder over the top for days when you want to keep make up down to a minimum.
The prize out of these 3 has to be the Wow Lashes mascara. They have 2 mascaras on offer, one focusing on length and this focusing on volume. In my opinion mascara should do both but I think it may also be a wand shape preference. I like a nice chunky thick wand so I went for this (the pictures of the wands are on the sides of the packaging). I like the fact although the wand is chunky to really add volume, it's quite short so you have a lot more control over where you are putting the product.
I don't think this is a life-changing product but for how little I paid for it, this is a great product! It does lengthen and define my lashes whilst adding good volume. It doesn't smudge and lasts well throughout the day. Wonderful!
I will be back Tesco!!
Loves xxx
The Prime Of Your Life illuminating primer is a new type of product for me. I've never used a face primer before, only eye ones, but considering I have very large pores I think I should probably jump on the bandwagon!
This is very silky, pink-toned primer with a slight gold shimmer to it, I found it instantly evened out my complexion and gave me a nice healthy glow. I have used this under foundation to just make me look a bit more 'awake' but I think it would look lovely by itself with just a little setting powder over the top for days when you want to keep make up down to a minimum.
The prize out of these 3 has to be the Wow Lashes mascara. They have 2 mascaras on offer, one focusing on length and this focusing on volume. In my opinion mascara should do both but I think it may also be a wand shape preference. I like a nice chunky thick wand so I went for this (the pictures of the wands are on the sides of the packaging). I like the fact although the wand is chunky to really add volume, it's quite short so you have a lot more control over where you are putting the product.
 |
| Left eye with mascara, right eye bare |
I will be back Tesco!!
Loves xxx
Monday, 22 July 2013
So What? I like Cake!
Well hello there! This is going to be a slightly more serious (and cheesy) post but it's something that I feel incredibly strongly about so, why not share it with you guys!
This weekend I went to London to meet up with some friends and something happened that really annoyed me. The thing that particularly got me was that they didn't understand why I was so mad. We were in a club and a girl came onto one of my friends. One of the others then took a photo and started laughing at it. I asked them what was so funny...their answer 'she's fat'.
Now I am not the skinniest of girls, I sometimes get a little down about certain parts of my body but who doesn't? I am a happy, healthy size 12 girl who eats well and exercises. I look after myself and as long as I know I'm healthy on the inside, the outside will take care of itself. I am proud of the fact that my bum should have its own postcode. So what if my thighs jiggle when I walk?
What makes me so sad is that we live in a world where everyone (not just girls) are made to feel like we have to look a certain way. Our bodies should be perfect, we shouldn't get spots or stretch marks and we should always look like we stepped out of a magazine. Boobs and bums have to be perfect, muscles a certain size. People who are comfortable in their own skin are deemed strange and, to be honest, in the minority. But this isn't real life.
People who are happy with themselves should be celebrated. We are all beautiful in our own way. I know that sounds so ridiculously cheesy but it's true! That's one of the reasons why I love fashion, yes it has the power to drive people to do unthinkable things to their bodies, but it also has the power to make someone feel beautiful. Everyone has had that moment when they've put on 'that dress' or 'those jeans' and just felt incredible.
The message I'm trying to get across is, if you are happy in your own skin, who cares what everyone else thinks. Stop trying to be someone else's idea of perfect and focus on just being you. There will always be those idiots who will find faults and think it's okay to laugh, but if they're that stupid, are they really worth paying attention to?
Embrace your body, no matter what shape or size you are.
Loves xxx
This weekend I went to London to meet up with some friends and something happened that really annoyed me. The thing that particularly got me was that they didn't understand why I was so mad. We were in a club and a girl came onto one of my friends. One of the others then took a photo and started laughing at it. I asked them what was so funny...their answer 'she's fat'.
Now I am not the skinniest of girls, I sometimes get a little down about certain parts of my body but who doesn't? I am a happy, healthy size 12 girl who eats well and exercises. I look after myself and as long as I know I'm healthy on the inside, the outside will take care of itself. I am proud of the fact that my bum should have its own postcode. So what if my thighs jiggle when I walk?
What makes me so sad is that we live in a world where everyone (not just girls) are made to feel like we have to look a certain way. Our bodies should be perfect, we shouldn't get spots or stretch marks and we should always look like we stepped out of a magazine. Boobs and bums have to be perfect, muscles a certain size. People who are comfortable in their own skin are deemed strange and, to be honest, in the minority. But this isn't real life.
People who are happy with themselves should be celebrated. We are all beautiful in our own way. I know that sounds so ridiculously cheesy but it's true! That's one of the reasons why I love fashion, yes it has the power to drive people to do unthinkable things to their bodies, but it also has the power to make someone feel beautiful. Everyone has had that moment when they've put on 'that dress' or 'those jeans' and just felt incredible.
The message I'm trying to get across is, if you are happy in your own skin, who cares what everyone else thinks. Stop trying to be someone else's idea of perfect and focus on just being you. There will always be those idiots who will find faults and think it's okay to laugh, but if they're that stupid, are they really worth paying attention to?
Embrace your body, no matter what shape or size you are.
Loves xxx
Sunday, 21 July 2013
My Favourite Perfume | Coco Mademoiselle
To end my 'Beauty Favourites Week' I thought I'd talk about something that takes pride of place on my dressing table. Come on guys, it's Chanel! (Although this was bought for me by an ex but we just forget about that part and focus on how pretty it is!)
I am so fussy when it comes to scents, I have a long list of things that I hate or make my stomach churn. I don't like something too sweet, anything vanilla based is a huge no no! If it's a fresh scent, it can't have too much fruit in it. Anything musky has to be well balanced, I could go on.
This, however, is just beyond perfection for me. It's girly, musky without being too heavy and it has got a slight sweetness to it and floral notes. I only tend to wear this for nights out or special occasions because I love it so much and it is so expensive to repurchase. I think this smell just suits me amazingly and it makes me smile whenever I wear it.
I think this is an all year fragrance too, I tend to sway towards the more citrusy scents during the summer and go more heavy in the winter but this is just so different it doesn't really fit into a 'season'.
I think you get what you pay for with perfumes too, this lasts all day with only a couple of sprays. Even after a shower I can still smell it on my skin.
A major bonus is I love the packaging, so simple yet it just looks so pretty! Also, its really sturdy too so I haven't had any spillages (yet).
This is my all-time favourite beauty product and I would not be without it.
Loves xxx
I am so fussy when it comes to scents, I have a long list of things that I hate or make my stomach churn. I don't like something too sweet, anything vanilla based is a huge no no! If it's a fresh scent, it can't have too much fruit in it. Anything musky has to be well balanced, I could go on.
This, however, is just beyond perfection for me. It's girly, musky without being too heavy and it has got a slight sweetness to it and floral notes. I only tend to wear this for nights out or special occasions because I love it so much and it is so expensive to repurchase. I think this smell just suits me amazingly and it makes me smile whenever I wear it.
I think this is an all year fragrance too, I tend to sway towards the more citrusy scents during the summer and go more heavy in the winter but this is just so different it doesn't really fit into a 'season'.
I think you get what you pay for with perfumes too, this lasts all day with only a couple of sprays. Even after a shower I can still smell it on my skin.
A major bonus is I love the packaging, so simple yet it just looks so pretty! Also, its really sturdy too so I haven't had any spillages (yet).
This is my all-time favourite beauty product and I would not be without it.
Loves xxx
Saturday, 20 July 2013
My Favourite Hand Cream | Hand Food
My hands are pretty vile. My cuticles are constantly the object of disapproving looks from my mum and no matter what I do, they are always so so dry. I sometimes get a bit of eczema on there too to top it all off. Yummy! I have tried every hand cream under the sun it seems but only one comes up on top in my books.
Cue Soap & Glory's Hand Food. It ticks every box for me and has a constant place in my handbag or on my dressing table. I refuse to leave the house without this baby.
The packaging is typical Soap & Glory; pretty, vintage and pink. I have the small travel version so it's perfect for my handbag and is nice and sturdy (the thought of having some form of spillage in the abyss of my bag makes me shudder with fear).
The smell is beyond yum! It has a typical Soap & Glory smell which subtly lingers for a couple of hours after application. I find myself sniffing myself which results in me looking like some weirdo but I don't care, I smell good! It has shea butter, macadamia oil and marshmallow which sounds like it would be really sweet and sickly but is actually really fresh and light.
It's quite thick but sinks in quickly and moisturises my scaly, sore hands straight away. I do have to put it on a couple of times a day but if you don't struggle with such flaky dry skin like me, this will do you for a whole day.
Firm favourite and I will be repurchasing a million times over.
Loves xxx
Cue Soap & Glory's Hand Food. It ticks every box for me and has a constant place in my handbag or on my dressing table. I refuse to leave the house without this baby.
The packaging is typical Soap & Glory; pretty, vintage and pink. I have the small travel version so it's perfect for my handbag and is nice and sturdy (the thought of having some form of spillage in the abyss of my bag makes me shudder with fear).
The smell is beyond yum! It has a typical Soap & Glory smell which subtly lingers for a couple of hours after application. I find myself sniffing myself which results in me looking like some weirdo but I don't care, I smell good! It has shea butter, macadamia oil and marshmallow which sounds like it would be really sweet and sickly but is actually really fresh and light.
It's quite thick but sinks in quickly and moisturises my scaly, sore hands straight away. I do have to put it on a couple of times a day but if you don't struggle with such flaky dry skin like me, this will do you for a whole day.
Firm favourite and I will be repurchasing a million times over.
Loves xxx
Friday, 19 July 2013
My Favourite Lipstick | Sephora 'Firework'
If anyone has ever seen my make up collection, you will know how ridiculously lip product obsessed I am. I have had to put a 'one in one out' policy on myself because I'm starting to look a bit mental. However, when I was in Paris I had to wander in Sephora on Champs-Elysses and the enormous selection of colours made me want to cry with happiness. The wonderful little French lady helped me pick a colour out of the fistfuls of wonderfulness I lovingly carried.
After a ton of swatches and in-depth discussion in a beautiful french accent mixed with my northern british one, this baby ended up in my collection. 'Firework' is a beautiful bright pink toned coral with a cream finish.
The packaging is a sleek black tube with a curved shape, my favourite bit being that it has a block of the colour on one end so I can see exactly what I'm picking up. The bullet itself is sturdy and practical.
The product goes on wonderfully creamy, meaning theres no dragging and doesn't dry out my lips! As it wears in, it goes much more matte but doesn't cling to any dry patches I may have. Something I've found other matte lipsticks can do, I don't want to have to put lip balm on first because I feel like this affects the pigmentation and lasting power which defeats the object of a lipstick!
The colour is so super pigmented, a little goes a long way and the staying power is incredible. If I don't eat or drink this can last almost all day! If I do eat and drink, it still lasts a good few hours but it fades gradually instead of going all weird and patchy.
This colour is my summer staple, it makes my teeth look whiter and a bright colour looks great with and without a tan! In. Love.
Loves xxx
After a ton of swatches and in-depth discussion in a beautiful french accent mixed with my northern british one, this baby ended up in my collection. 'Firework' is a beautiful bright pink toned coral with a cream finish.
The packaging is a sleek black tube with a curved shape, my favourite bit being that it has a block of the colour on one end so I can see exactly what I'm picking up. The bullet itself is sturdy and practical.
The product goes on wonderfully creamy, meaning theres no dragging and doesn't dry out my lips! As it wears in, it goes much more matte but doesn't cling to any dry patches I may have. Something I've found other matte lipsticks can do, I don't want to have to put lip balm on first because I feel like this affects the pigmentation and lasting power which defeats the object of a lipstick!
The colour is so super pigmented, a little goes a long way and the staying power is incredible. If I don't eat or drink this can last almost all day! If I do eat and drink, it still lasts a good few hours but it fades gradually instead of going all weird and patchy.
This colour is my summer staple, it makes my teeth look whiter and a bright colour looks great with and without a tan! In. Love.
Loves xxx
Thursday, 18 July 2013
My Favourite Palette | MUA Glamour Days
Now I know this palette may not be up everyones alley, to be honest I'm not really a palette collector. I own maybe 3? Considering I rarely leave the house without at least a sweep of colour on my lids, I think this is pretty bad.
I picked this palette up a few months ago and use it most days, it has a nice mixture of neutrals and brighter colours which I like to mix in when I'm going out. My favourite is the lightest shade - a shimmery cream colour. I use it to highlight my brow bones and the inner corners of my eyes. As you can see it's so well loved!
I also love the 3 purple tones, I have really dark brown eyes and purple really makes them pop so I have been using them a lot too.
The packaging is typical MUA; simple, sturdy but slightly cheap feeling but for the price you pay it isn't exactly a major problem.
The pigmentation is amazing on these, I was so surprised! I think I just picked this up on a whim because I liked a couple of the colours but I didn't expect how lovely the quality of these shadows are. They are so silky and blend wonderfully. I love pairing these with cream bases too and I'm currently using MUA's Pro Base eye primer underneath.
They last for around 5 hours without creasing, a couple more hours with a primer. I think this is pretty good for what you pay. I also noticed there isn't a major problem with fallout, something which majorly irritates me about putting on eyeshadow. Although by the end of the day, there is a bit of smudging under my eyes.
I love this palette and am considering picking up a couple more. Has anyone else tried any of MUA's palettes?
Loves xxx
I picked this palette up a few months ago and use it most days, it has a nice mixture of neutrals and brighter colours which I like to mix in when I'm going out. My favourite is the lightest shade - a shimmery cream colour. I use it to highlight my brow bones and the inner corners of my eyes. As you can see it's so well loved!
I also love the 3 purple tones, I have really dark brown eyes and purple really makes them pop so I have been using them a lot too.
The packaging is typical MUA; simple, sturdy but slightly cheap feeling but for the price you pay it isn't exactly a major problem.
The pigmentation is amazing on these, I was so surprised! I think I just picked this up on a whim because I liked a couple of the colours but I didn't expect how lovely the quality of these shadows are. They are so silky and blend wonderfully. I love pairing these with cream bases too and I'm currently using MUA's Pro Base eye primer underneath.
They last for around 5 hours without creasing, a couple more hours with a primer. I think this is pretty good for what you pay. I also noticed there isn't a major problem with fallout, something which majorly irritates me about putting on eyeshadow. Although by the end of the day, there is a bit of smudging under my eyes.
I love this palette and am considering picking up a couple more. Has anyone else tried any of MUA's palettes?
Loves xxx
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