Everyday Skincare Stash

I thought it was about time I gave you a tour around my skincare at the mo. My skin is looking absolutely awful at the moment due to stress etc but these products are keeping it bearable. This is just the skincare I keep in my bedroom, not 'sink skincare'.

To remove wonky eyeliner and mascara smudges I have the L'Oreal micellar water, which I like for that but not as a usual eye makeup remover. For toner, I have two as I like to use my Botanics Exfoliating Toner everyday, but my Simple Soothing Toner after using a manual exfoliator to remove any extra particles. My serums are the Botanics Ultra Calm Serum, the No7 Serum (sample?) and La Roche Posay's Effeclar Duo [+] which has been a dream moisturiser on oily skin days. However, my moisturiser of choice is Clean and Clear Dual Action for its anti-blemish qualities. In the evening, I like the Botanics Organic Oil as it moisturises blemishes and aids healing. Also tucked away is the Popcorn lip scrub from Lush, a Godsend for chapped lips. Other products I don't use too often are the Soap and Glory For Daily Youth Moisturiser and the Naturally Radiant Day Cream.

What is in your skin stash?

Love, E X

Philip Kingsley Travel-Size Reviews | Elasticizer and One More Day Dry Shampoo

I have never cared too much about haircare. Well, I say never cared, I just have never spent too much money on it as my hair seems to do what I ask and it pretty normal, grows well and I never get split ends. However, after trialling a couple of products from high-end haircare line Philip Kingsley, I now understand the 'hype' and would splurge a bit more on my blonde locks.

Elasticizer, £15 for 75ml (40ml shown)

Perhaps one of the most hyped products in the beauty community, it holds HG status in many a girl's hair routine. A different kind of hair mask, you apply to wet hair pre-shampoo, leave in for 10-20 mins (though many leave in overnight) then wash out with shampoo and conditioner as normal. It works wonders at smoothing and softening hair and, although it works well, I wouldn't splurge too much on this as my Herbal Essences masks do the same for a lot less fuss and a lot less money.

One More Day, £6 for 50ml

I'll keep my rave short as I have already gone on about this in my 'Top 3 Dry Shampoos' post. This is the best dry shampoo I have ever tried as it absorbs oil amazingly and gives immense volume. I would totally spend the money on this, we're together now and not even batiste could tear us apart. 

Have you tried any high-end haircare? Would you repurchase?

Love, E X

The Weekend Post: Sharing The Love #1 | My Favourite Blogs

Who else is awful at 'hand-hearts'? Just me... :'(

Hi everyone, today's weekend post is all about the blogs I love... now, if you look at my personal bloglovin page you'll notice that I follow over 400 blogs... crazy. But only a few do I love. And these are those....

NB - I'm only mentioning less well-known blogs, not the BIG bloggers as you all probably follow them x

Faithfully Emma - I love Emma's writing style and the way her words just flow. Her photography is also beautiful as well as her makeup! Her NYE eye look is one I copy often!

 

 qworter life crisis - I am obsessed with Maddie's Youtube channel and now her blog - the variety of posts from food to skincare is amazing and she really researches!

The Bird Song - AKA Bloglovin's best kept secret! Sophie's blog is always buzzing and she is the biggest enabler of my purchases - check out her 'beauty bag' posts for makeup ideas!

Those Stars That Shine -  Sarah's hauls make me want to shop! I love her casual style and '5 Things to Save For' has been my biggest wishlist inspiration!

thunderl0ve - Thunder Love is one of those blogs that no matter what the post is I will always read it and have spent many a sunday morning reading old posts - I think I've read them all! Natalie has such a great knowledge of beauty and her Youtube is also amazing!

What are your favourite underrated blogs? Would you like me to do more of these posts?

Love, E X

Top 5 Makeup Products Under £5 | #5Under5

My last series, sleepover week, seemed to go down well, so I decided to start another. And so #5Under5 was born, where every month I'll show you my top 5 whatevers - skincare, makeup etc. This month it's makeup, and these are some of my favourites.

My first 'top' products are lipsticks from Seventeen at Boots. I've tried most formulas but they've all been amazing! I especially love the Lip Crayons and Supreme Shine formulas.

If you've been reading my blog for a while you'll know how much I love MUA eyeshadows, and their palettes are £4 and are FAB! I love the Undressed - heads up, dupe for Naked 1 - and the matte palette as staples.

This Beauty UK Baked Blush is the perfect highlight, and it's only £3.99! Bargain! I think the packaging is a little bulky, but the actual product is beautiful!

I think everyone loves the Colour Tattoos, but I have 6. These are the most creamy, pigmented cream eyeshadows on the highstreet! My fave is On & On Bronze, but Pink Gold and the dark purple-red are gorgeous too!

Last is one of my favourite concealers, this MUA trio for £3.50. The salmon is great under the eyes, the yellow on redness and the pink as a highlight! Perfecto!

What are your top #5Under5? What should be the next #5Under5 post?

Love, E X

A Match Made in Heaven | RT Expert Face Brush and Rimmel Match Perfection

You know as well as I do that the high street is where I go for makeup everything. After a long ol' swatch-fest on a 3for2 day sometime last year, I bought the Rimmel Match Perfection Foundation and the Real Techniques Expert Face Brush (henceforth refered to as the RT EFB) . Until recently, I'd always cast the RT EFB behind the Buffing Brush, which I still consider superior for BB Cream and lighter coverages. However, after a glance at the horrific orange state of the buffing brush one morning, I grabbed the first thing I could lay my mitts on which was this. And OMG it was so quick, so easy and made this Rimmel foundation glow to the Gods. It. Looked. Flawless.

Now I am hesitant to reach for anything else when it comes to Match Perfection, it seems the RT EFB has stolen my heart. 

Have you tried either of these? What are your thoughts?

Love, E X

Day in the Life: Shopping | London Monki, Muji + Beauty Haul

On Saturday my parents and I had a fun day in our city, London, seeing a museum we hadn't been to before and doing a little bit some shopping. It was a great day, and it's a shame that we can't do it all that often as we're all so busy!

We started on the number 11 bus from Victoria and went to Charing Cross (the journey's a bit nicer on the bus than the tube :) ) where we each had a Pret sandwich and a drink (diet coke and smoked salmon all the way!) We then wandered through to Covent Garden...

... where we went to the Transport Museum - it may sound boring but there were old buses to sit in and an awesome little train that I loved, so it was quite fun! There is also an exhibit of cute artwork on at the mo until 6th April which contains some great illustrations of London: definitely worth a visit if you're in town! I also had a hot chocolate with the most amazing pattern on the top! 

Now onto the shopping...

Not from Saturday, but I bought this blue case from Amazon for my new phone, an HTC 8S. I've had the same phone for just over 4 years so my dad agreed that a new one was needed, although, sadly for me, I'm paying! The case was from this seller (MGT Group) and I ordered it on Wednesday and it came on Friday - amazing service!

Next are a couple of toothcare items - one is a pack of 3 toothbrushes as I am travelling a few times this year and like to have a fresh toothbrush for each holiday. Then I wanted a stronger whitening toothpaste so I bought this Pearl Drops Party Sparkle one as it looked good, but I've only been using it for a few days (if you want a review, comment!).

Only one thing from Primark, this adorable rabbit purse that I can keep headphones in. It was only £2 and is so super cute!

Monki had an amazing deal where all sale was 2for1 plus they had 14% off for Valentines. This 'Precious Knitted Dress' was £8 reduced from £25 which I can't find online, but it is quite long, a lightweight knit but still opaque, with a black zip on the back. I bought a medium but could've probably done with a small due to it being quite oversized.

 

Trying to find a freebie was harder than I though, but this jumper was too comfy to resist. £8 too, reduced from £30 (I think), it's way too big but that's okay, this one I did get in a small so I guess the rule with Monki is buy a size smaller! With the BOGOF offer and the 14% off, both these came to £6.88 - bargain or what?!

 

One of the more exciting purchases was Effaclar Duo + from La Roche Posay - with a voucher and 1/3 off, I couldn't resist, plus my skin is looking horrific at the moment so hopefull in time this should help to clear it up!

And the most exciting thing are two sets of the wide 2-drawer units from Muji - they were about a tenner each and are so perfect, I think I'll buy another! The rest of my makeup is in my old drawers underneath my desk, which can be seen in this post. It's storage love guys!

What have you been up to recently? Any purchases?

Love, E X

The Weekend Post #7: What's On My iPad? | My Favourite Apps

Ever since my 'What's on my iPod?' post, I have wanted to do a 'What's on my iPad?' but can never remember/keep installing more apps! I'll try to update this regularly, as I am head-over-heels in love with my iPad (my nan calls her's her third arm) so I am constantly using it for music (walking jukebox here!) and emails etc. Hope you enjoy, sorry for the skew whiff photos, I was photographing in the dark so you could see!

General:

- messages

- photos

- maps

- clock

- photo booth

- calendar

- contacts

- reminders

- newsstand (in which I have The Metro and Two Magazine)

- iTunes Store

- game centre(er)

- videos

- notes

- facetime

- camera

- settings

- safari

- mail

- music

- app store

Purchased by Me!:

- YouTube

- Bloglovin

- Candy Crush

- Twitter

- Evernote

- Pocket

- Blogger

- *blog homepage*

- WattPad

- Nighstand

- tumblr

- Bloons 2 (completed!)

- Gmail

- Pinterest

- BBC iPlayer

- TV Guide

- Paper

- Google

- Flappy Bird

- BBC News

- School Email (outlook)

- Google Maps

- iBooks (with Great Expectations, Dracula, The Great Gatsby and Sherlock Holmes

- Solitaire

 

- InStyle Hairstyle Try-On (to fringe, or not to fringe?)

- X Factor

- The Voice

- itv player

- InStyle Best Beauty Buys 2012

- Makeover by Modiface

- Argos

- Google+

- Kindle

- Weather+

- Dumb Ways to Die

- Skype

- DoodleBuddy

- Angry Birds

- Wondercorn

- DropBox

What are your favourite apps? Would you like any more in-depth reviews on apps/techy stuff?

Love, E X

Happy Valentine's Day! | + The Liebster Award #3

Happy Valentine's Day my marvellous unicorns!

Now that's out of the way, I want to thank Lilly from Loveable Fash for nominating me for The Liebster Award! I'm always so honoured when anyone takes notice of my itsy bitsy slice of the interwebs and it's lovely of her to nominate me! 

The Rules

1. Link the blog that nominated you for the award.

2. Choose 11 bloggers to nominate who have less than 200 followers.

3. Answer the 11 questions given to you.

4. Let people who you have nominated know you have nominate them.

5. You can't nominate the person who has nominated you.

6. Create 11 questions for the people you nominate to answer.

7. Follow the blog that nominated you (but I won't force you, no worries ;) )

Questions from Lilly

1. Describe your blog in FIVE words?  

Beauty, Fashion, Life, Ramblings, Love

 

2. Which Hollywood celebrities would you trade all your clothes for their style?

Tricky...  either Blake Lively or Anna Kendrick

3. How do you see yourself and your blog in ten years?

In 10 years I'll be 24 so I'll have finished uni and will be living somewhere in London with a job somewhere (?) hopefully... I don't want to predict or jinx the future! Probs will still be blogging, but it depends on where my life path takes me!

4. Best blogging advice you could give to newbie bloggers?

Post regularly, and with some method - I started by posting every week, but it would become so random I wouldn't schedule anything; remember, 'schedule' is your BFF.

5. Which country do you feel has the best style or fashion sense?

Britain, yeah! Woop for us Londoners, I see so much amazing style around the capital, I love fashion in the UK - tartan from Scotland too!

6. Who is your favourite style icon and why?

Again, tricky, tricky! I love what Anna from ViviannaDoesMakeup wears; she's so effortlessly chic, but I also looove Atlantic-Pacific and LlyMlrs (LilyMelrose) for outfit ideas as their outfits are usually with basic pieces that everyone owns, and you can chop-n-change.

7. Your most recommended beauty product(s)?

To me, or from me? From me are the Witch BB Cream and Stila Angel Light Powder right now!

8. Your must-read style magazine(s)?

I love Elle, Glamour, Two by Pixiwoo, but my fave is InStyle.

9. Even if you were paid a million dollars, you would never...

 Not work hard - I believe work is where you socialise and make friends, I would always work hard to achieve well.

10. Which do you prefer, best styled? Or best personality?

Best personality by far - it doesn't matter what you wear, it's the fact that you care!

11. What inspires you everyday?

Blogs, Internet, Pinterest - I love the internet for inspiration everyday, but JennyPurr's blog leaves me speechless with her beautiful photography and original ideas!

11 Bloggers I Nominate

1 - Allison Speaks Beauty -  alisonspeaksbeauty.blogspot.co.uk

2 - Ironic.Be -  ironicbe.blogspot.co.uk/

3 - KATHERADE - katherade.blogspot.com 

4 - Britain's Next Top Blogger - britainsnexttopblogger.blogspot.com

5 - qworterlifecrisis - qworterlifecrisis.com 

6 - Porcelain Shree - porcelainshree.blogspot.com 

7 - Forget Growing Up - forgetgrowingup.blogspot.se 

8 - Glitter Gnome - glittergnome.blogspot.co.uk

9 - simple steps for beautiful outcomes - followthesimplesteps.blogspot.co.uk 

10 - WithLove, Char - withlovechar.blogspot.com

11 - Makeup and Maths -  http://www.makeupandmaths.blogspot.co.uk/

My Qs for the Nominees

1. What keeps you blogging?

2. When and why did you start your blog?

3. Where do you like to shop for clothes?

4. Where do you find new blogs to follow?

5. Which blog post you've written are you most proud of and why?

6. Favourite fashion item?

7. Last thing you bought?

8. When do you go shopping (ie weekend etc) ?

9. Would you rather - beauty or fashion?

10. Would you rather - hair products or hat?

11. How do you take blog photos?

I loved writing this, but it'll be my last Liebster Award as, as much as I love doing them, I run out of blogs and doing the same post can be repetitive for me as well as my readers, but feel free to email me your qs and I'll give ya'll a shoutout if I can x

Love, E X

Top 3 Dry Shampoos | Philip Kingsley, Batiste, Dove

I love dry shampoo because I have a lot of hair, which takes ages to wash. Which means I can wash it less when using dry shampoo. Plus it adds volume, texture and vavavoom into my hair. Today I'll share my top 3 dry shampoos, and I hope you'll try one and fall as head over heels in love as I am.

Coming in 3rd place is... Batiste Dry Shampoo, £2.99/200ml

The 'hint of colour' one pictured is nice, but my heart lies with the 'original' scent - clean, fresh and it doesn't linger. This dry shampoo comes out white (with the original formulas) and then can be massaged into roots to add volume and absorb oil. The best from the high street for oil absorbtion, in my opinion, and the best value for money.

Our runner up is... Dove Refresh + Care Dry Shampoo, £4.59/200ml

Definitely the best for texture and volume is the Dove Refresh+Care Dry Shampoo. Because it is clear, it's great for all hair colours and can be sprayed into clean hair all over to add texture. A great alternative to Oribe for messy hair, and it smells divine!

And the winner is... Philip Kingsley 'One More Day' Dry Shampoo, £14.00/200ml

I received this sample in a beauty box, but I have to say I would splurge on the full size. It absorbs oil well, adds volume, texture and bounce. And, most importantly, it really leaves my hair feeling clean, like I've washed it sorta thang. I love this most, and although it may be more expensive *yeah, like 5 times, Liz!* but it is amazing!

What are your favourite dry shampoos? How often do you wash your hair?

Love, E X

17 'The Smokey Eye' Palette Review and Smokey Eye Look

 

My nan bought me this palette for Christmas, and grateful as I am, it didn't seem like something I would wear. So I challenged myself to come up with a look which was wearable and slightly smokey with this palette and here it is!

First up though, the shadows are quite powdery and a bit chalky, but are great to mix and are blendable enough to create a pretty look. The eye kohl is very creamy and the little brush is quite good for use on the lower lash line.

'Scuse the bedraggled appearance, it was late. The look I created is quite a top-heavy smokey eye, which would suit gals like me with hooded eyes as it's quite blended and doesn't include anything too jazzy in the crease - basic.

I began by using the eye kohl in my upper and lower waterlines, and then over the lid as a base - it worked quite well though I would suggest a primer for best wear. I then applied shade 3 into the crease and outer v, but applying none to my tearduct or central lid. I applied shade to to my lid, blending with 3, and then shade 1 to my tearduct area. Then I blended and applied a small amount of shade 2 to my lower lash line. Simple smokey eyes, done!

What is your go-to smokey eye look? Anything I need to try?
Love, E X

The Weekend Post #6: The TMI Tag!

Since the TMI tag seems popular on Youtube and Blogs recently, I thought I'd join the bandwagon and do it too. I don't think I've been tagged but if you did tag me tell me and I'll link to you!

Onto the questions...

1: What are you wearing? Jeans, blue tee and floppy cardi - standard sunday clothing 
2: Ever been in love? Nope 
3: Ever had a terrible breakup? No, I've been pretty lucky in my 14 years! 
4: How tall are you? 5 foot 5 
5: How much do you weigh? Ooh, cheeky! 
6: Any tattoos? No, but I'd like something once I'm old enough 
7: Any piercings? No, but I'll get my ears pierced eventually 
8: OTP? Tricky... Shamy? I know... Caskett! {Look it up!}
9: Favourite show? Castle, for sure x 
10: Favourite bands? The 1975, Train, Lawson, Of Monsters and Men, Mumm-ra, 5SOS 
11: Something you miss? Snow, I want it bad! 
12: Favourite song? Hard one, either Ben Howard's Old Pine or Coldplay's The Scientist or Cough Syrup by Young the Giant
13: How old are you? 14 
14: Zodiac sign? Sagittarius or Scorpio (I'm on the cusp!) 
15: Quality you look for in a partner? Kind to others 
16: Favourite Quote? 'Imperfection is beauty, madness is genius and it's better to be absolutely ridiculous than absolutely boring.' Marilyn Monroe

Imperfection is beauty, madness is genius and it's better to be absolutely ridiculous than absolutely boring.
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/m/marilyn_monroe.html#tmhT4ht2Ie3rXBcW.99

Imperfection is beauty, madness is genius and it's better to be absolutely ridiculous than absolutely boring.
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/m/marilyn_monroe.html#2Ao16O6wvrj1iTx5.99

 17: Favourite actor? Alex Pettyfer or Ben Barnes
18: Favourite color? Bright, acid green 
19: Loud music or soft? Loud in the car, soft at home 
20: Where do you go when you're sad? The Fridge!
 21: How long does it take you to shower? I don't have a shower (we literally don't own one), but I can spend 5-30 mins in the bath 
22: How long does it take you to get ready in the morning? An hour on the weekend, 40 mins every other day. 
23: Ever been in a physical fight? Yes, but she started it! 
24: Turn on? Tall25: Turn off? Loud, arrogant 
26: The reason I joined Youtube? I haven't... yet! 
27: Fears? Heights, Loud/Fast things, losing friends 
28: Last thing that made you cry? My friend Becca, yesterday when she made me lean back on her chair not knowing it was broken and so it popped underneath me. I screamed, turned red with embarrassment because I was with a bunch of maths geeks, then cried with laughter. 
29: Last time you said you loved someone? Yesterday, to my best friend after she gave me chocolate. 
30: Meaning behind your Youtube Name? Well, my blog name is because I am a blushing blonde!
31: Last book you read? One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest 
32: The book you're currently reading? The White Queen 
33: Last show you watched? Silent Witness 
34: Last person you talked to? My dad, who asked what I was doing. 
35: The relationship between you and the person you last texted? My best friend 
36: Favourite food? Curry - Thai, Japanese, Chinese, Indian; I love 'em all! 
37: Place you want to visit? US, Thailand, Norway, Switzerland
38: Last place you were? My kitchen 
39: Do you have a crush? Now why would I share that with you... 
40: Last time you kissed someone? A while ago, because I guess family doesn't count! 
41: Last time you were insulted? Friday, but it was a joke
42: Favourite flavour of sweet? Black wine gums or sour lemons 
43: What instruments do you play? I used to play recorder, but now I play a little piano 
44: Favourite piece of jewellery? My 'LOVE' necklace 
45: Last sport you played? Hockey, in the rain, on wednesday, during which my friend Nicole got pooped on by a bird. She was so cold she didn't even care. 
46: Last song you sang? Little Talks by Of Monsters and Men
47: Favourite chat up line? Did you survive the Avada Kedavra curse? Because you're drop dead gorgeous. (or any other HP ones here)

48: Have you ever used it? God, no! 
49: Last time you hung out with anyone? Yesterday, at maths (yes, nerdier by the second) 
50: Who should answer these questions next? Alice, Georgie, Lizzie and YOU!

I hope you liked this tag, and feel free to leave me any other Qs you have in the comments!

Love, E X