First Impressions #4 - Rimmel Lasting Finish Lipstick in 077 Asia

I'm back to doing my first impressions posts as I really enjoy writing these type of blog posts for you. I have had these products for quite some time now, but just haven't put up a first impression on them, so I have finally got round to doing it for you.

Also, I just wanted to let you know of my new blogging timetable that I am going to try and keep to from now on, but don't hold me to that. There will be new blog posts up every day, apart from Wednesdays and Saturdays. Each day has a particular post that will be up:

Mondays - Get The Look posts (Celebrity inspired outfit posts and how to get similar outfits on the high street)
Tuesdays - Personal posts (Either about myself or a particular topic, such as tips for university, tips for sixth form)
Wednesdays - NO POSTS
Thursdays - (Either a monthly book review, a favourites post or something else I want to blog about)
Fridays - (First impressions on a new product I have recently bought)
Saturdays - NO POSTS
Sundays - (Outfit of the Week)

Each post will be up at 6pm GMT.

Source: Google Images 

Packaging: First of all, the packaging of the product is beautiful. It is a very simple design but doesn't look like a cheap drugstore product. The packaging is very high quality for a lipstick which costs under £5. It has a gorgeous dark purple shade with a silver band halfway down which has the brand name on. At the bottom of the lipstick, it has the name and number of the lipstick with a colour swatch, so it makes it easy to see the shade of each lipstick without having to open it.

Description: There isn't really a description on the product. At the bottom of the lipstick, it says 'Lasting Finish Lipstick'. The finish of the product is very good for a drugstore lipstick. The colour comes off very well and doesn't take long to apply. The colour is very true to the shade at the bottom. 

Consistency: The consistency of the product is very good. The colour comes off very well onto your lips and isn't drying. I wouldn't say the lipstick lasts all day, so you would probably have to keep it in your bag and top it up throughout the day. The lipstick comes off quite glossy and creamy. It is very comfortable to wear on your lips and the colour is very nice. You could apply one coat for a less intense look, like the picture above, or you could apply quite a couple of coats to get a more intense colour. 

Price (reasonable or overpriced): £4.99.  This is an amazing price for this product. Great quality and packaging for a drugstore product. I have already bought another one of these lipsticks and it will be making an appearance on my blog soon.

Would I recommend it to a friend?: Definitely, these lipsticks are so good and affordable. Lots of colours are available and the consistency of the lipstick is amazing for under £5. Plus, I love the smell of these lipsticks too.

Would I repurchase it?: Definitely, I want to try and collect all of the colours soon.

Verdict: 5/5

Hope you enjoyed this blog post. Do you like Rimmel Lipsticks? What lipsticks do you love wearing and why?

THE UNI DIARIES / 1: 5 Tips For Writing Your Personal Statement For University

Getting ready for university is a daunting prospect. Suddenly you have to become an adult at the grand old age of 17-18, and it is scary! I understand completely as not too long ago I was in that exact position. Although the last year of your schooling education is terrifying, not only have you got to juggle schoolwork, exams, revision, maybe a part-time job, hobbies, friends and family but now the school adds another pressure of university.

I thought I would put together a little series all about university. Some of the areas I will cover are how to pick a university/course to study, UCAS, personal statements, exams and results. I thought this mini series would be a great way to help some of you who are going through this process at the moment or in a couple of years time.

Source: Tumblr.com

My number one tip that I will probably be repeating constantly throughout this series is don't feel pressurised into going to university!!!! This is super important. If you have decided that you don't want to go, for whatever reason that might be, don't feel that you have to go, even if your friends/family/teachers all tell you that going to university will benefit you in the future or it is the best option at that particular time in your life, don't feel that you have to. I will talk about this subject later on, but for now, just keep that in mind.

So, my first blog post in this 'The Uni Diaries' series will be about personal statements. If you have decided that you are going to university, you need to start applying. Your school and teachers will help you through the process which will probably take place through UCAS. You will be given a user ID (which I think is emailed to you) and a password. From then on, you need to fill out the application.

THE APPLICATION 

The UCAS application is long. I will tell you this now. You may think you will get to do it all in one sitting and then click 'send' and you have applied to university. Answer - WRONG!!! The application will probably take you weeks to fill out. The reason for this is there are multiple things that you (personally) need to fill out.

1. The first part of the application is easy, you simply fill out your personal details. 
2. Next, is more personal details. 
3. Thirdly, is your education (your school, GCSE grades with subjects, AS Level grades with subjects, the subjects you are studying for A Level). 
4. Fourthly, your work (you might have a part-time job, so you need to fill in your employer and their details. If you don't have one, don't fill it in). 
5. Your personal statement (which is basically you writing about yourself and making you sound like the best person ever) 
6. Your references (you will need to get your teachers to write some references about you as well as your tutor).

There might be other parts of the application as well, but I can't remember what they are. 

PERSONAL STATEMENT 

So, let's focus on the personal statement as this is what takes the most amount of time and effort. Your personal statement is what your teachers will be badgering you about until it is finished. I thought I would give you 5 tips for writing your personal statement which helped me. If you follow these you should be fine.

1. Keep within the specific requirements. Don't go over the designated characters or lines as the application will not allow you to save it and you will have to delete either words or sentences, so it is easier for you in the long run to stick to the requirements. Write in Microsoft Word first as you can keep changing and deleting bits and printing out drafts, then when your personal statement is finished, you just have to copy and paste it onto your application. Write 80% about your course and why you want to study it and 20% personal. This is what I was told at my school as the whole point of your application is your course and why you want to study it, and a little bit about yourself.

2. Tell the truth. Don't lie in your personal statement as if you are called to an interview they may question you on aspects of your application, and you don't want to look like an idiot in front of a university bigwig. Don't copy from the Internet or anyone else's personal statement as there is a detector on the application and it can detect plagiarism. If it detects plagiarism, your school is contacted and your application can be discarded.

3. Get multiple people to read your personal statement. Your personal statement will become the bane of your life. You will hate it by the time you have finished with it. Get your friends/family/teachers/ even your neighbour to read over it! Be prepared to do at least three drafts of your personal statement. You need to make sure all grammar, punctuation and sentences flow and are correct.

4. You will have to do multiple drafts of your personal statement, so don't expect to finish it and think that will be it.

5. Don't leave it to the last minute. You have ages to write it but don't take that for granted. Get it done sooner, so it is out of the way and not looming over you. Also, you can get your tutor or teachers to read it before they are swamped by work and reading hundreds of other students personal statements as well. Trust me, your teachers will start to get irritated and annoyed if you leave it until the last minute to get them to read your statement.

But, don't stress about it too much. Your personal statement is not even long, probably about a page. The sooner you get it done, the better and leave yourself plenty of time and you will be fine. I hope these tips helped you in some way and let me know whether you are applying to go to university this year and what you want to study.

Get The Look: Shay Mitchell

After the massive unveil of 'A' during the Pretty Little Liars finale, I thought I would put together a 'Get The Look' for each of the actresses. Each outfit is more focused on the actresses own personal style, as opposed to their characters style. However, if you enjoy these five instalments I will be happy to put together a 'Get The Look' for each Liars personal styling.

My first 'Get The Look' is the beautiful Shay Mitchell aka Emily Fields. I love Shay's style as it is so simple and effortless. She doesn't really use lots of colours in her outfits, but she still manages to look put together.

Outfit 1

The first outfit Shay is wearing is so simple that you can replicate it at home for yourselves, plus all of these pieces should be staples in anyone's wardrobe. Shay is wearing a simple grey cotton jumper with a pair of ripped and distressed low rise jeans. To complete the look. Shay paired the outfit with some brown wedges to make the outfit look more smarter and less casual. She didn't do anything to her hair so it gave the illusion of a just-got-out-of-bed look. 

TALL MOTO Ripped Hayden Jeans - Topshop - £42.00
V Neck Jumper - H&M - £14.99 (Also in Khaki Green, Dark Grey and Beige)
Light Brown Sling Back Wedges - New Look - £22.99 (Also in Black)

Outfit 2

The second outfit has lots more pattern and creates a Boho/festival vibe. Shay is wearing a simple black off-the-shoulder crop top, which has been the craze this spring/summer. To add a vibrant mix of colours, she is wearing a patterned maxi skirt which suits her so well. For accessories, Shay paired the outfit with some of her own Quay sunglasses and a simple gold necklace. For her hair, Shay has some beach waves which makes her look put together and ready for a festival!

Cornia Ethnic Print Maxi Skirt - Boohoo.com - £12
Black Bandage Bardot Neck Crop Top - New Look - £19.99 (Also in White)
MY GIRL Sunglasses by Quay - Topshop - £30
Gold Tone Double Coin Necklace - River Island - £6

Outfit 3

The third outfit Shay is wearing is much more smarter and sophisticated than the previous two. Shay outfit is a white lace top and a suede beige pencil skirt, which makes her look like she is ready to go to the office. For accessories, Shay paired the outfit with some diamond earrings and a chunky bracelet. Shay has some soft curls in her hair and a bold red lipstick to make her look more effortless and chic. 

Tan Suedette Zip Front Skirt - New Look - £12.99 (Also in Black, Grey and Burgundy)
Natasha Organza Lace Shoulder Panel Oversized Shirt - Boohoo.com - £20
Helen Tassel Chain Earrings - Boohoo.com - £5
Facet Bracelet Pack - Topshop - £14

Outfit 4

The final outfit Shay is wearing has got to be my favourite of the four. She looks so chic and sophisticated but she is only wearing three items. Shay wears another pair of ripped distressed low rise jeans with a over sized striped shirt. To make the outfit look more smarter, she paired the outfit with some black heels. I love Shay's hair in this picture, she has simply pinned her hair back but left her fringe and extra pieces of hair out to make it look more boho inspired. 

Anita & Green Blue Stonewashed Ripped Jeans - New Look - £22.99
Double Stripe Tie Front Shirt - Miss Selfridge - WAS £32 NOW £28.80
Black Comfort Platform Court Shoes - New Look - £24.99 (Also in Deep Red)

I hope you enjoyed this blog post. Let me know whether you would be interested in seeing the Liars personal styles and also look out for my next 'Get The Look' blog post inspired by 'Pretty Little Liars'.

Monthly Book Review (July): The Duff

This blog post has been long overdue (as per usual), but I have finally got around to writing it up. August has been a very busy month for me as I went away with my friends for a couple of days and then I flew to Turkey for 10 days with my family, which was so much fun and very hot. I have got quite the tan which I am very proud of, especially as the weather in the UK is non-stop rain!

Anyway, I finished my monthly book of the The Duff a while ago now and have even finished two more books, so I am quite behind with these blog posts, but don't worry I will get up to date soon. I really needed to finish The Duff quite quickly as I borrowed it from one of my friends and I wanted to return it to her ASAP. Therefore, I probably finished this book in about two weeks or maybe a little bit less.

Source: http://static.rogerebert.com/uploads/movie/movie_poster/the-duff-2015/large_duff.jpg

What is the book about? (Copied from the blurb) - Seventeen-year old Bianca Piper may not be the prettiest girl in her high school, but she has a loyal group of friends, biting wit, and a spot-on BS detector. She's also way too smart to fall for the charms of a man-slut and slimy school hottie Wesley Rush, who calls Bianca The Duff - the designated ugly fat friend - of her crew. But things aren't so great at home and Bianca, desperate for a distraction, ends up kissing Wesley. Worse, she likes it. Eager for escape, Bianca throws herself into a secret enemies-with-benefits relationship with him. Until it all goes horribly wrong. It turns out Wesley isn't such a bad listener, and his life is pretty screwed up, too. Suddenly Bianca realises with absolute horror that she is falling for the guy she thought she hated more than anyone. 

Opinion? - I thought this book was really good. I was recommended this book by a friend and we were discussing the movie together and she explained that the book was nothing like the movie. I have to agree, as the book and movie are completely different. I had seen the film before reading the book and really enjoyed both. It was nice to read something that was different from the film and wasn't an exact replica of the movie. The characters are essentially the same but the plot is completely different, for example, Bianca has a friends-with-benefits scenario with Wesley as opposed to him helping her become less of a Duff. 

Positives?- The book was well-written and easy to read and I grasped the plot pretty quickly. I read this book in less than a week as I just could not put it down, despite knowing exactly what would happen. I liked the fact that the movie and book were different as it told a different side to the story and also dealt with more pressing themes such as alcoholism, divorce and friendships. 

Negatives? - It was a little bit repetitive in places and as I have said before, it was predictable. If you don't like books that are romantic or have predictable endings, then you probably should not read this book, maybe watch the film instead. 

Would I recommend it? - Yes, I think it is a good book overall. I think that if you enjoyed the movie as much as me, then maybe give the book a go to see a different side to the story. 

Would I read it again? - Probably not, as it isn't the sort of book to re-read. I would definitely watch the movie another thousand times though! 

Price? - £5.99

Rating? - 3 and a half/5

Hope you enjoyed this blog post. Let me know your opinions of The Duff and whether you have seen the movie as well. 

My next book is The Accident Season, so I will see you next month for my review. 

Sorry for being behind of my blog posts. I don't really have an excuse for being late but I will try and get more content out. I will keep doing these blog posts as I enjoy writing them. I have read three more books since reading The Duff so I am ahead of myself but behind in writing these blog posts, so instead of writing the review next month, I will try and get it out sooner. As soon as I am up to date, the posts will go back to a normal monthly basis. 

Monthly Book Review (June): The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time

One of my new year's resolutions was to read at least one book per month. So far, I have kept to this plan (probably the only new years' resolution I have ever succeeded in), despite being one book behind. Although I haven't kept you up-to-date on my books, I thought it would be a good idea to start a new series on my blog where I voice my opinion on the book I have read each month. I would love it if you could recommend any books for me to read and also let me know your opinions of the book I have read.

As I have said previously, I am behind on my books and have only just finished reading my book for the month of June. The reason for being behind is due to schoolwork, revision and exams, but now that those horrible things are over with, I have been trying to read my books as much as possible.

I thought I would split up my book reviews into sections, so it is a bit more organised and easier to read.

So, the book I read for the month of June was the The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time (a very long title!).

Source: http://sweatpantsandcoffee.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/curious-incident-small.jpg 

What is the book about? (Copied from the blurb) - The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time is a murder mystery novel like no other. The detective, and narrator, is Christopher Boone. Christopher is fifteen and has Asperger's Syndrome. He knows a very great deal about maths and very little about human beings. He loves lists, patterns and the truth. He hates the colours yellow and brown and being touched. He has never gone further than the end of the road on his own, but when he finds a neighbour's dog murdered he sets out on a terrifying journey which will turn his whole world upside down. 

Opinion? - I thought this novel was okay. I had heard a lot of talk about this book as it had been made into a stage production recently. Therefore, this made me want to read the book to see what the hype was about and also to find out who killed Wellington (the dog). The book is quite difficult to read, not in the sense that the words or language is hard but as Christopher (the narrator) suffers from Asperger's, the novel is written in long, complex sentences, meaning there are not many pauses or breaks. I thought the book was aimed at children between the ages of 10+ due to the front cover, the diagrams which are used and also the language, but as I got further and further into the book, I was mistaken. I definitely think that this is a much older book as it does have quite a few swear words in the book, which I was quite surprised at given the cover. 

Positives?- The book is well-written and is very authentic. It has a mixture of humour, sadness and mystery. I liked the diagrams which were included throughout the book as it is quite unusual for me to read a book which does have drawings in as this broke up the novel. The pictures also tied in well with the novel. 

Negatives? - The novel is quite hard to read and can get a little bit tedious due to the way it is written, but I guess that it all part of the book. I also thought that the book did get quite slow in the middle but did get a little bit better towards the end. 

Would I recommend it? - Yes, I think it is a good book overall, but not my favourite. I think it is a little bit young for me but overall, it is really well-written and very authentic. 

Would I read it again? - Probably not, but I would like to see it on stage, just to see how they put the production together and if they keep true to the book. 

Price? - £6.99

Rating? - 3 and a half/5

Hope you enjoyed this blog post. Let me know your opinions of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time and whether you have seen it on stage. 

My next book is The Duff, so I will see you next month for my review. 

A New Blog?

I'm back...again! Now, I know this may seem confusing, but I have decided to change my blog name. Although I did have some people reading and commenting, which I am so grateful for, I wasn't happy with the name of my blog.

When I started creating content for my blog, I needed to think of an original and enticing name for my blog which I would be happy with. At first, I did like 'Beaute Mode' as it was different, but slowly I began to dislike the name. So, I came up with 'The Life Diaries'.

'The Life Diaries' is all about a mixture of topics that I am interested in and allows me to talk and discuss so many different areas, not only beauty and fashion.

I hope you enjoy this little re-vamp of my blog and continue to enjoy the content I am trying to compile for you. I feel that now I have decided on a solid name for my blog, I can really start to get into creating content I am happy with.

I will probably be making a few more changes in the foreseeable future with regards to my blog, but don't worry, the name won't be going anywhere. I have also changed the format and design of my blog so let me know whether you are liking these changes. There are still a lot more changes that need to be done as the blog isn't working and functioning as I would like it to, but you can see the direction I am trying to take my blog to.

Let me know what you think of my new blog name and whether there are any more changes you think I should make.

6 Summer Essentials: Fashion

The next part of my summer essentials is back, but this time focusing on fashion. There have been so many trends this summer, including fedora hats, coloured sunglasses and patterned shorts and I have tried to condense it down to six for you.

These are my 6 fashion summer essentials...

         

1. Pink Floral Print Frill Bandeau Bikini Top - River Island - £16

    Pink Floral Tie Side Bikini Bottoms - River Island - £12

2. Hayden Coin Trim Tie Dye Playsuit - Boohoo.com - £15

3. HAVAY Flat Sandals - Topshop - £24

4. Petite Red Tile Print Pom Pom Trim Shorts - New Look - £14.99

5. Silver Round Dip Pilot Sunglasses - New Look - £5.99

6. Blanket Woven Backpack - Accessorize - £37

A definite summer essential is a good bikini. This is every woman's essential for the summer time. It is time to get rid of the layers and start to show more skin in order to get that gorgeous summer glow. I love wearing bikinis during the summer time, especially patterned bikinis. So, when I found this bikini from River Island, I instantly fell in love. However, you don't have to wear a bikini for summer, swimsuits have made a massive revival this S/S15 as well as high-waisted bikinis. Whatever makes you feel comfortable, then go out and rock it!

My next essential is a playsuit. Again, the one I picked is patterned as I am instantly attracted to anything with colour. I loved this tie-dye playsuit with the coins dangling from the top half. This screams out festival fashion to me. However, for a safer option, a plain white playsuit can look great with a tan, or a simple black playsuit can be layered up with accessories and a statement bag. I think the great thing about playsuits is they are an outfit on their own, without any hassle. The only problem is when you need to go to the toilet, that's when they become a pain!

A pair of simple black sandals are a must this season. They go with any outfit and look effortlessly chic. 

A pair of statement shorts will spice up any outfit. Pair them with a plain top for a simple, yet stylish outfit. I actually own these shorts are they are super comfortable as they are made of a jersey material so they feel like you are walking around in your PJ's, which is amazing. They are also a lightweight material so don't make you feel hot. 

A pair of sunglasses to complete any outfit, as well as keeping your eyes protected from the sun.

Why not change your regular handbag for a backpack this summer? They are comfortable, practical and stylish at the same time. Perfect for festivals or for hand luggage on holiday. 

Hope you enjoyed this post. Let me know your fashion essentials in the comments below. 

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First Impressions #3: Barry M Quick Dry Nail Polish

Another first impression post. Sorry about the lack of post on Monday, but I went out to meet with a friend at short notice and forgot to edit this blog post, but the schedule for blog posts still remains the same. Anyway, I popped into Boots on Saturday to pick up some essentials that I needed to get and some new items I wanted to try out. 

I had heard a lot about these new Quick Dry Nail Polishes from Barry M and knew I needed to try one of them out. I absolutely love painting my nails and buying new polishes to try out, so when I heard about a Quick Dry range, I knew I needed to put it to the test. As most of my nail polish collection is Barry M, I knew I wouldn't be disappointed by the formula and application and I, sure enough, wasn't. 

Sorry about my chipped nails in the picture above!

Barry M Nail Polish in Pit Stop 512 - £3.99
This colour looks grey in the bottle but when applied is more of a grey-lilac colour. 

Packaging: First of all, the packaging of the product is the same as all Barry M nail polishes are, except for the black and white checkered lid. I love the packaging as it is simple, classy and good quality. The black and white lid allows the polish to stand out in my collection, so I am aware that it is a 'special' nail polish.

Description: There isn't really a description at the back of the product. However, on the front of the nail polish it says 'Speedy Quick Dry Nail Paint'. I have to agree with this description as this nail polish does dry very quickly. Once you have completed applying one coat onto your nails, the first nail that you first applied onto will be dry. Obviously it won't be completely bone-dry but it isn't wet either. Once both applications have been applied, after about 5-10 mins your hands should be okay to move around without the risk of smudging. However, just check your nails before doing this.

Consistency: The consistency of the product is very good, just like all Barry M nail polishes are to be expected. Although the first coat of nail polish does appear stringy and patchy and doesn't appear to be very good, however after the second coat, it is perfect. Very opaque, smooth and no patches. Also, the brush on the nail polish is very different from the normal Barry M polishes. The brush is much more spread out, making it easier to apply and coats the nail in one swift movement. This will make it so much easier for those of you who find it hard to apply nail polish anyway. 

Price (reasonable or overpriced): £3.99.  This is a great price for this product. Great quality, application, colour range and the fact it drys quickly, makes it such a reasonable product and is so hassle-free.

Would I recommend it to a friend?: Definitely, I have already recommended it to my friend that I met recently and I would recommend it to anyone.

Would I repurchase it?: Definitely, next time I make a trip to a Boots I am picking up another colour.

Verdict: 5/5

Hope you enjoyed this blog post. Do you like the Barry M 'Quick Dry' Nail Polishes and if so what is your favourite colour?

*All opinions are my own and all photos were taken by me.  

My Pamper Routine (The Products I Like To Use)

Sometimes I like to give my skin a good-old pampering, especially if I am having a stressful day and my skin has suddenly erupted in spots. Although this thankfully has not happened for a long time (quickly goes to touch some wood nearest to me) I really needed to give my face, hair and legs some TLC.

So, I thought I would share with you some of the products I like to use when I decide to have one of these rare pamper days. I tend to pick and choose the products depending on the state of my skin and hair. But, on this particular day, I needed to shave my legs, wash my hair and scrub my face squeaky clean.

(Starting from left to right)
1. Simple Kind To Skin Soothing Facial Toner - £3.39
2. Burts Bees Milk and Honey Body Lotion - £9.99
3. Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish Cleanser - £14
4. Tangle Teezer - £10.99
5. Soap And Glory Sugar Crush Body Scrub - £8
6. Burts Bees Beeswax Lip Balm - £3.69
7. Spotless Nose Pore Strips
8. Cotton Pad
9. Clean & Clear Foaming Wash - £4.99
10. Super Facialist Salicylic Acid Anti Blemish Clay Mask - £6.66
11. Aussie Leave In Conditioner - £4.69

To start off my pamper routine, I use the Liz Earle cleanser with a hot muslin cloth (which comes with the cleanser) to remove all of the make-up and dirt that has been on my face during the day. Although this cleanser is expensive at £14, I think it is well worth the money. I read so many reviews on this product before purchasing it myself and I did not read one bad review on this product. It removes make-up so easily, no hassle needed. It smells incredible as well, so fresh and soothing. Plus, your skin already feels so clean after using this product. 

Once all make-up has been removed, I pop in the shower and wash my hair with only shampoo. I only put shampoo in my hair once and rinse it out, as I am going to be giving my hair some treatment. I get out of the shower and brush out all of my hair with my Tangle Teezer. I suffer from very dry and knotty hair, which is a right pain to brush when it is wet, let alone without any conditioner in it. However, the Tangle Teezer is such a lifesaver when it does come to brushing my hair, it is super easy and does such an amazing job as well. I don't think I could ever go back to using a normal hairbrush after experiencing this product. I would recommend it to anybody as it is so good and so worth the money as well. 

Once all of the knots are out of my hair, I put some leave in conditioner (not the spray shown above). I use a Tresemme one which comes in a massive pot. I have had this product for months and it looks like it hasn't been used at all. It is so amazing for my hair. I coat my entire head in this conditioner and clip my hair up. I leave it like this in order to give my hair a good-old drink for about 30 mins.

While my leave-in conditioner is doing its job, I return to my skin and put a nose strip over my nose. I do this once I have come out of the shower as my pores are open and this is the perfect time to get those black heads. I put this over my nose and leave it on for about 5-10 mins.

Next up is my legs, which were in a desperate need of shaving. While I was in the shower, I exfoliated my legs with a body scrub (shown above) to remove any dead skin. Then, I cover my legs in shaving foam and start to shave my legs with a razor. Once I have done both legs I moisturise them with my Burts Bees Body Cream. This is my favourite body cream I have ever owned. This is my second bottle and it has recently ran out. I definitely need to buy another one soon. It is super moisturising, smells incredible (very strong scent, quite fruity) and is made from natural ingredients.

Now that my legs are done, I return to my skin and remove my nose strip. Then, I coat my cotton pad with my Simple Toner (which has nearly ran out) and I cover my entire face with the cotton pad. This toner is super refreshing and makes your skin feel more awake and alive. I really need to buy another one of these soon. After toning my skin, I apply some lip balm in order to moisturise my lips. I use my Burts Bees Lip Balm which is made from Beeswax. This may sound disgusting but is smells super minty and leaves your lips feeling very refreshed and tingly. The final part of my skincare is to moisturise my face.

With skincare completed, I finally need to finish off my hair. I rinse out all the conditioner, dry my hair with a towel and then brush through once more. Then, I leave it to air dry.

And we have finished. As you can see, I haven't used all the products listed above. I do a face mask when I have had a massive break-out which helps remove all the impurities and oil from my skin. I also use a spray in leave-in conditioner when I wash my hair normally.

As I have said before, I only do this when my skin needs refreshing and I do a treatment to my hair once every month, purely due to the nature of my hair.

I hope you enjoyed this blog post. Let me know your go-to products for a pamper day and I will see you for another post on Monday.

6 Summer Essentials: Beauty

        

1. Essie Nail Lacquer 99 Mint Candy Apple - £7.99

2. Rimmel BB Cream - £6.99

3. L'Oreal Paris Lumi Magique Primer - £9.99

4. Soap and Glory Solar Powder Bronzer - £11

5. Maybelline Super Stay 14 Hour Lipstick - £6.99

6. Maybelline Colossal Black Waterproof Mascara - £7.19

As summer has finally arrived (although the weather in the UK begs to differ) I thought I would share my 6 Summer Beauty Essentials with you. During the summer, no one likes to apply heaps and heaps of make-up onto their faces due to the hot weather and it can start to feel cakey on the face. However, most people don't like to leave the house without any make-up whatsoever. Therefore, by using simple and key products, you can create a natural and summer ready look. 

Above, I have picked out my key beauty items from the drugstore, but you can easily switch and choose your 6 beauty products that suits you. 

Personally, a nail polish is key as this is my favourite beauty item. I love experimenting with my nails and I love picking more pastel shades for the spring/summer time. I think a mint green is perfect for the summer as it is simple, cute and adds a splash of colour to any outfit. 

Instead of a heavy-duty foundation, I prefer to use a BB cream in the summer time. It isn't as cakey and heavy on the skin, like a foundation can be, but it also covers and gives the skin a summer glow. 

A primer is also very important for the summer-time. No one wants their make-up falling down their faces by the end of the day due to the hot, humid weather. 

If you are not going away on holiday this year, you may not be getting a serious tan, so by adding a little bit of bronzer and highlighter to the skin can really lift your face and add some colour onto those cheekbones, giving the illusion of a sun-kissed tan. 

Add a pop of colour onto the lips with a summery coral or pink!

Finally, swapping your normal, everyday mascara for a waterproof. This means your lashes can still look defined and long without transfer or the risk of your mascara sweating off. 

So, these are some of my summer beauty essentials. Hope you enjoyed this blog post. Let me know your summer beauty essentials in the comments as well. 

I will be doing a summer hair and fashion essentials soon, so keep your eyes peeled for those coming soon! 

New(ish) KIKO Purchases and Review

So, I am finally back. After a long and stressful couple of weeks, crammed with revision, cups of tea and lack of sleep, I have finally finished my A Level exams! I am so happy that I have finally finished as I was starting to go a little bit crazy sitting at my desk and revising the same topic day and night. As exams are out of the way, I can now focus on my blog and writing content for you guys to enjoy!

I will admit, I did finish my exams about a week ago now (17th June), but I thought my brain deserved a bit of a break from formulating sentences and words and also it gave me a opportunity to think of some new blog ideas and topics to write about.

This blog post is particularly late as I haven't had time to take the pictures etc, but before exams started I went on a little shopping trip and popped into a KIKO store they had there. I don't have a KIKO store near where I live, so I get very excited when I find one. It has such affordable make-up and the quality is amazing.

While, I was there I picked up two make-up items.

Eyeshadow Stick - £6.90
Lip Pencil - £1.70

I picked up the Long Lasting Stick Eyeshadow in 07 (Golden Beige) which is a really gorgeous champagne colour. It is super pigmented and as the name suggests is super 'long lasting'. This shadow is great for all over the lid and blends really nicely as well. Personally, I hate doing eyeshadow. I find it is the most boring part of doing make-up, purely because I can't do a 'smokey' eye to save my life. However, these shadow sticks are so easy to use and make doing your shadow hassle-free. This shade is perfect for the summer season and is adaptable for all other seasons as well.

My other purchase was a SMART Lip Pencil in 702 (Coral). Again, this lip liner is super pigmented and lasts for a long, long time. This shade is a pinky/coral colour and is beautiful for the summer time. You can apply it with a gentle hand for a more subtle pink to the lips or you can press harder for a more bolder and brighter lip colour. As well as being amazing quality, all KIKO's lip pencils are super affordable at only £1.70!!

I hope you enjoyed this blog post and let me know what your favourite make-up item from KIKO is and if there are any recommendations I should try out. 

Also, there are going to be new blog posts every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday, so please keep an eye out for those and follow me on BlogLovin' to keep up to date with when I upload new posts. 

LIFE UPDATE!

So, I haven't written a blog post in a while, and for that I apologise! I am going to be frank. I don't think I will be writing any blog posts for a while. Don't panic though, I am not quitting my blog at all. The main reason for not writing any posts for a while is because my A2 exams are coming up in a matter of weeks and I need to prepare and revise for these exams so much, and that means no blog posts. These exams are important as they determine whether I get into my first choice university and what direction my life takes (slight exaggeration!), so I don't really want to mess them up!

Source: authorlindsaypaige.blogspot.com

I will be resuming my blog after exams though and as I won't have anything else to do, this will be my main priority, so hopefully, I will have many more posts to write and will have much longer to take pictures, come up with new, fresh ideas and take my time writing them as well. My last exam is on the 17th June, so expect to see many more posts being uploaded then.

Apart from exams, I have lots of other bits planned for the summer so far, so I thought I would share them with you. Next week is my official last week of secondary school and I go on study leave. It is super scary to think that I will be leaving mainstream education after nearly my entire life has been the same routine of going to school. I will be leaving behind my school of 7 years, where I have had the most memories, met amazing friends (who hopefully will stay with me for a very long time!) but also has been very stressful at times as well. So, next week we get to dress up for two days with a dedicated theme. On Monday, the theme is 90s rave, but I am so undecided about what to wear, so if you have any suggestions, please leave them in the comments, and on Friday, the theme is cops and robbers. I still have to attend revision classes that may be put on and obviously my exams, but after that I am free.

I haven't mentioned this on my blog, but I have decided to take a gap year between A-Levels and University. This was an easy decision for me and I have made this choice for a very long time. Both of my elder brothers took gap years, one of them went travelling and the other worked, and so I wanted to do the same. I will most likely work during my gap year as university is so expensive and so I want to save as much money as possible, for rent, food, social life etc. This will also give me plenty of time to get myself together in terms of provisions for uni as well. I also wanted to take a gap year to give myself a breather from education for a year. I have been constantly going to school all my life virtually and this is the first time I get to relax and not have to study or write essays.

I have made a few plans for over the summer though which are making me very excited and makes me want exams to be over soon. This weekend is one of my friend's 18th so I am going to her house for a BBQ which will be really nice. Next Friday, it is also my best friend's joint 18th birthday party which is going to be so much fun and I am super excited for this. I haven't got anything planned for half term yet, which will probably be spent revising for these exams, which is so depressing, especially if it is nice weather in the UK.

Other plans consist of a wedding in July, more gatherings with friends over the summer for birthdays, a 5 day trip to Devon with my friends, my 18th birthday which will be spent on a plane flying to Turkey which will be a 11 day holiday with my family at the end of August. Finally, saying goodbye to some of my clostest friends who are going to uni and probably many visits throughout this year and next year visiting them.

So, lots to look forward to after exams. I hope you enjoyed a more relaxed post from me. I just thought I would fill you in on what is happening in my life and to warn you that there won't be anymore blog posts until after the 17th June.

So, farewell until June.

x

My Weekly Outfits #1 - 15th-22nd April

I thought I would write a different type of blog post this week. Throughout this week I have been taking pictures of my outfits and what I have been wearing. Through this, you guys, will be able to see my style and the sorts of clothes I personally like to wear. All the outfits I'm wearing vary as it does depend on what I am doing on that particular day.

Hope you enjoy this type of post, and let me know if you did in the comments.

WEDNESDAY 15TH APRIL 2015

It was the hottest day of the year so far in England on Wednesday, reaching highs of 25C, which is so unusual for England at this time of year as we are so use to it raining constantly. However, I was not complaining. I always think the sun puts everybody in a good mood, and means I can get out of my jumpers and jeans and start to get my legs out! 

Although it was sunny, I didn't get to go out in it as I am currently revising for my upcoming A Level exams which are just around the corner, so I was stuck inside all day. I know I could go outside and revise but I always get distracted and so I am more likely to get stuff done in my room. 

In the outfit I wore my hair up in a top-knot bun, which is my go to hairstyle as it is super quick, easy and gets my hair out of my face. I wore my 'E' necklace from Accessorize, which was only £5. My top is from New Look and I got it last year. It is a coraly-pinky colour with black palm trees on it. It is super comfortable and slouchy. It keeps me cool and I don't feel restricted while I study. I am wearing some dark denim shorts from Dorothy Perkins, which I had forgotton about. I have had these for years but haven't worn them in ages.

I don't have any make-up on in this picture as I wasn't going out anywhere. 

                                   

                                       

THURSDAY 16TH APRIL 2015

It was much cooler in the UK compared to Wednesday. I went out today for lunch with my brother and dad so I wanted something comfortable and simple. As I wasn't doing anything else apart from lunch and studying, it had to be something loose and workable. I had a different style in my hair. I went for some plaits which I loved. They make it look like you actually put some thought into your appearance. I wore my burgundy droplet necklace from Turkey, which I got at this pop-up store in the town and I love it. I paired that with a Basic cream tee with grey specks in it from H&M, which is so comfortable and I love H&M basics tops, they are the best quality and never shrink when washed. Some simple black jeans from Primark which I rolled at the bottom as they are super long. The colour of these has washed out a bit, but I prefer that washed-out denim look anyway so I don't mind. I put some black pop socks on from Primark which are a necessity if you are wearing pumps but want socks on at the same time. Finally, a classic watch from Next which is relatively new and I love it. 

                                

Sorry about my revision cards on the floor! 

FRIDAY 17TH APRIL 2015

Friday's outfit was another comfortable outfit. I went to the cinema today with my dad to see 'The Duff'. I really enjoyed the film as I do love a good chick flick. However, my dad, not so much. I wanted to be comfortable as I was going to be sitting down but a little dressed up. I chose the same top from the previous day as it was not dirty, from H&M. These smart/casual red, black and white patterned trousers from New Look, which I love to wear to school. They are super comfortable and stretchy but fit really well. I wore some nude slip-on socks from Primark as I was going to wearing some pumps with these outfit. My accessories were my Next watch (pictured above) and my Urban Outfitters necklace.
My nails were Barry M Gelly Hi-Shine in Rose Hip, which is a really pale pink shade. Perfect for spring!

The pattern of my trousers up close

SATURDAY 18TH APRIL 2015 

I forgot to take a picture of my outfit on Saturday. I went to see my elder brother play rugby and it was also super sunny! I wore my hair down and straightened. I wore some black skinny jeans from Primark (pictured on Thursday) with the legs turned up. A plain grey t-shirt from H&M and a light lilac jumper on top as I wasn't sure it was going to be warm or not, also from H&M. I paired it with my Next watch and a necklace from Next as well. Sorry about the lack of pictures!                 

SUNDAY 19TH APRIL 2015

It wasn't really warm today. I spent the day studying, revising and writing essays. Yawn! I wore my straightened hair up in a ponytail. My outfit was this super loud and crazy thick jumper from Pull&Bear which is super cosy, some blue denim jeggings from Dorothy Perkins which are about 5 years old and some cute frilly mustard socks from Topshop.

                                      

MONDAY 20TH APRIL 2015

I had an inset day today, before I go back to school tomorrow (so expect to see more smart outfits for sixth form). Again, I was frantically at my laptop all day revising and finishing off these two essays which I have not written due for Wednesday. It was sunny and warm today, which was so nice, but I stayed indoors all day. I wore some blue and white patterned shorts from Primark which are actually new and I haven't worn yet. I wore a white t-shirt with a lace fringing at the bottom from New Look and some red and white frilly socks from Topshop. I had my hair in a top-knot as well.

TUESDAY 21ST APRIL 2015 

My normal routine was back and it was my return to school today. I had a driving lesson in the morning at 10.15am for an hour, and I was originally wearing a completely different outfit, however I changed when I got home as it was too warm. I opted for this checkered blouse with a peter pan collar from Primark and a black skirt, also from Primark. I added my Next watch, some black opaque tights from a supermarket and a gold necklace with stars from Accessorize. I returned to school in the afternoon for one lesson. Sorry about my hair in this picture. 

                                

My necklace up close

WEDNESDAY 22ND APRIL 2015 

The last day of my weekly outfits and I was in school all day today. I had my year photo and also my friendship group photo as well. I straightened my hair for this and also wore it down, but put it straight up as soon as the photos were over. I wore a cream flowy top from New Look, the same patterned trousers I wore earlier in the week also from New Look. I added some nude pop socks from Primark and my Next watch. 

                                   

                                      

What was your favourite outfit of the week?

First Impressions #2: Maybelline Instant Anti-Age The Eraser Eye

Another first impressions blog post for you guys as I enjoyed writing the last one so much. This blog post is all about the well-documented/well talked about concealer by Maybelline. 

I have heard so many good reviews about this concealer, so I knew I needed to pop down to my local Boots and purchase one for myself. 

                                

Packaging: I love the packaging of this concealer. I love the idea of the concealer having an instant applicator sponge and this is something so original and I have not seen on other concealers before. The sponge is super soft and comfortable to apply on the skin. The colour scheme of the packaging I also love. The burgundy/ red colours are simple and not too over-the-top. I also love the fact you have to twist the concealer in order to distribute the product. I find this gets the most out of your concealer without wasting any, and also, when you come to the end of the product, you are able to get as much product out as possible, compared to other concealers where you have to dip and then apply.  

Description: The description at the back of the concealer states: 'Micro-correcting eye concealer. Instantly conceals dark circles and fine lines.' As someone who suffers from extremely bad under-eye circles, to the point where they make me self-conscious and no foundation or concealer can completely cover them, I find I am probably not the most reliable at judging concealers. This is purely because I have tried so many concealers from the drugstore that other people rave about, like Collection Lasting Perfection and Rimmel Wake Me Up and although both these concealers minimise the darkness, they don't remove the appearance of dark circles completely. This concealer is the same for me personally. It is a lovely product and I really enjoy using it, don't get me wrong, but it isn't anything special from the other concealers I have used. As the description says and as the product is called, it is mainly focussed on the eyes, however you are able to use it on other places of your face. 

Consistency: As shown in the picture below, the product comes out in a creamy consistency. I have my concealer in the shade Light and I find this is the perfect match for me. The product comes out quite sheer on the skin, so I find you have to put quite a bit of product under your eyes to get the right amount, which I don't personally mind, however, for those of you who don't like too much product on your face, you might not like that. 

Price (reasonable or overpriced): £7.99. I would say this product is quite expensive for a concealer, compared to other very reasonable and just as good (maybe even better concealers) out in the drugstore.

Would I recommend it to a friend?: Yes, I think I probably will. Although I didn't personally get along with it due to my unusually dark circles, that doesn't mean that someone else won't like it. As I have said before, I had heard a lot of good reviews about this concealer.

Would I repurchase it?: No, I think I will be going back to my Collection and Rimmel concealers, but I have enjoyed using this.

Verdict: 3/5

Hope you enjoyed this blog post. Do you like the Maybelline Eraser Eye concealer?

What is your favourite concealer at the moment?

*All opinions are my own and all photos were taken by me. 

First Impressions #1: Rimmel Stay Matte Primer

I have bought a few new beauty bits over the last couple of months and I thought I would share my 'first impression' of each product. However, instead of doing a haul blog post that I have previously done before, I thought it would be a good idea to do one separate blog post for each product, showing you photos of each product and my honest opinion of each one. In this way, it might help some of you who have wanted to try out these products or want an honest opinion before buying it for yourself.

I always find 'first impression' videos and blog posts really helpful, as it allows me to hear other people's thoughts on these products and whether they are worth spending my precious pennies on.

Before I begin talking about the product, I will say that all opinions are my own and it is my honest opinion. Some products I may like and others I might not, so before making your own decision maybe look at other reviews before forming your overall opinion. As always, feel free to leave your own opinion below on each product and let me know of any other similar products that you love using as I am always looking for new products to try out and test.

                          

So, I recently bought the Rimmel Stay Matte Primer from Boots. I had heard a lot about primers and how they keep your make-up lasting all day and night, without needing to touch up in places. I know there are the more expensive primers from Benefit that a lot of people love, however that product was out of my price range, so I opted for a primer from the drugstore instead. I have never owned a primer before so I can't judge this primer against a previous one unfortunately. Also, I haven't heard anybody talk about this primer before either so I didn't have a opinion to follow. 

Packaging: The packaging is okay. It doesn't stand out to me or look expensive. It is a very simple design and doesn't have any other colours, apart from purple. If I'm honest, I don't really like the packaging. It doesn't look engaging or stand out on the shelf and if anything, looks a little bit cheap. 

Description: The description at the back of the tube states: 'Skin-perfecting primer can be worn alone, under makeup or on top to create a perfect matte complexion. Controls shine for up to 8 hours. Ultra lightweight formula minimises the appearance of pores.' The primer is not skin-perfecting for a start. It doesn't perfect my skin in any way. I still have the appearance of spots, blemishes and scars and doesn't perfect anything. My skin looks the same with or without the product on. 

Next, I have only tried this primer under makeup so I can only judge it on that. I feel like you shouldn't put primer on top of makeup as I would worry that it would move the makeup when applying it and make it feel heavy on the skin. I also haven't tried it on its own and I don't think I would ever do that either. As I have previously said, it doesn't do anything if I left it on its own and no one would be able to tell if I had primer on or not. 

The primer does not create a 'perfect matte complexion' either, instead it leaves my skin with a glow, which I don't have a problem with but it doesn't show up as 'matte' on my skin. 

The primer does control shine for a while. I haven't tried it for 8 hours but it is good at keeping my makeup on for a long time and also at controlling the shine on my face. 

I find the product quite thick and therefore you only need to apply a small amount to your face. As the description says, it does feel lightweight on the skin which I am very happy about. However, the primer does not minimise the appearance of any pores. 

Consistency: As shown in the picture above, the product comes out white, almost like a cream. It is very thick so you only need to apply a little bit to your face, otherwise it can become heavy on your skin.

Price (reasonable or overpriced): £5.99. I would say it is a little overpriced for this product as you only get a small tube, however you only need a little bit of product so it would last you a long time.

Would I recommend it to a friend?: Probably not, although this product does have some highlights, it has a lot of flaws. It does manage to keep my makeup on but apart from that, it doesn't do much else.

Would I repurchase it?: No, I will be looking for a different primer in the future. But, for now, I will keep using up this product as I don't want to waste it.

Verdict: 2/5

Hope you enjoyed this blog post. It is a little bit different from my usual fashion and style posts. I hope some of you found this post helpful and let me know in the comments of your favourite primers to use.

*All opinions are my own and all photos are taken by me.