Friday Fact

File your nails before you take your polish off.

Filing your nails after you've used nail varnish remover, or whilst they are wet will make them break easier. This is because when they are wet they become weaker and are more prone to damages. So filing them whilst they are hard with polish on makes them stronger, and allows them to take the harshness of a nail file.

Happy Friday!

Laura xoxo

Throwback Thursday: Liquid Liner

If you read my Throwback Thursday post from last week, you will see that the bottom post went back to my favourite liquid liners. That post was written February last year, where I had just really gotten into make-up and decided that I'd wear liquid liner all day everyday. I soon realised that this was not me, plus I wasn't very good at getting a good line, and powder shadow was definitely the way to go. However, I thought, why not whack my liner out again, and see why I did it so much.

The only liquid liner I now own is this Super Liner by Loreal. If you are looking for a new liquid liner, then get this. It does not budge, I wore it for around 10 hours, in the heat and it would not come off at the night. The tip is also super easy (for most) to maneuver (I was out of practise, lets bear that in mind!)

I kept checking my make-up throughout the day, and kind of jumped (overdramatic? Me?) when I saw my eyes. I'm just not used to such a harsh line on my eyes. To me, it felt a bit too much for daytime, but I think so many people can rock a thick line day to day. For me though. I think I'll be sticking to my black eyeshadow.

What do you think of a liquid line?

Laura xoxo

Video: May Favourites

It's that time of the month again (not that one...) What I've been loving this month!

What have been your favourites this month?

Laura xoxo

FOTD: Work #2

So although I've finished uni now, I'm still doing two days a week work experience and thought I'd share with you what I wear on my face for it, as work make-up is something I've never really had to delve into.

Base:

Bare Minerals Orginal Foundation

Estee Lauder Double Wear Concealer

Maybelline Dream Lumi Touch Concealer

Eyes:

MAC Brun/Omega - Brows

Avon Glimmerstick in Dark Brown

Max Factor False Lash Effect Mascara

MAC Carbon

Rimmel Scandaleyes in Nude

Cheeks:

The Balm Cabanna Boy

Estee Laude Illuminating Powder in Heat Wave

Lips:

Revlon ColourStay Ultimate Suede Lipstick in It Girl

What's your work go-to?

Laura xoxo

Review: Illmasqua Cream Pigment in Hollow

This product is something I've been lusting after ever since watching this video by Pixiwoo. However, I live rather far from an Illamasqua counter, and never could be bothered to go and get it (pure laziness right here) and then I saw that they were having a 50% off code on their website and snapped at the chance to get my hands on this. For only £8.95!

Hollow is basically a lovely, I would call it mud brown, but I know that that description is usually looked down upon, but it's a cool toned brown that works amazing as a contour. It has no orange undertone compared to it's bronzer counterparts. The fact that it is a cream means its blends amazingly!

This is it compared to the lusted after Tan de Chanel. As you can see it really contains no orange undertone, and is perfect for a contour.

I really can see a more 'slimming' difference in my face when using this, that I've never really achieved from other products. Especially not in such an subtle, undetectable way.

It is also multi-functional, and can be used as an eyeshadow too, or anywhere you want to put it. 

Overall, I'm so glad I got this product. I find it really gives my face some dimension and is such the perfect colour. I'd definitely re-purchase. 

Have you tried this? What do you think?

Laura xoxo

Video: Skincare Saviours

I uploaded this video on Saturday, but forget to share it with you all on here!
I hope you enjoy!

Laura xoxo

What I Wore This Week

Happy Bank Holiday Weekend!!!!! I hope you all have a lovely long weekend.

Monday: Top: Topshop // Shoes: Converse

Tuesday: Dress: New Look // Cardigan: French Connection // Shoes: Asda

Wednesday: Top: New Look // Cardigan: French Connection // Trousers: Asda // Shoes: M&S

Thursday: Blazer: Asda // Shirt: New Look // Trousers: M&S // Shoes: Matalan (Sorry for the disheveled look, I took it at about 12am when  I got in as I went to see Hairspray (which was incredible!)

Friday: Cardigan & Shoes: Asda // Top: M&S // Skirt: New Look

Saturday: Top: Asda // Jeans: Dorothy Perkins // Shoes: Topshop

Have a lovely week :)

Laura xoxo

Friday Fact

Take your brow highlight under the whole of your brow bone. 

This fact/tip is actually taken from the lovely The Beauty Department, and can be found here! It was something I never considered, but seeing the effect it gave is something I'l definitely be trying.

Have you tried this?

Laura xoxo

Throwback Thursday: The Archives

I've been doing this whole blogging lark closely coming up to a year and a half, and in that time I've created and shared a fair few posts. Whilst looking back on some of these makes me want to bury my head in the sand and feign any knowledge of them, I sometimes find it fun to look back and see just how much my blog, my blogging style and myself as a person has changed. Therefor I thought this Thursday's post, and maybe some Throwback posts in the future could be dedicated to these earlier posts.

Topshop Blush in Head Over Heels - Post

My blush collection was the first of my products to quickly grow (closely followed by foundation.) Obviously I hadn't cracked photography (not that I really have now) or found my cupcake background.

Make-up Storage - Post

This is definitely a cringe, mixed with a bitter sweet reminiscence as this is how I stored my make-up when I was living at uni second year (I moved home for my third.) I love the set up of my make-up now, and this is so cringy, but my make-up now is in a very hard to capture place, so I wouldn't expect and updated post soon; but trust me, it's better than this!

Liquid Eyeliner - Post

Another great use of photography by moi... Considering I can't remember the last time I donned some liquid liner (I now favour black shadow and an angled brush) this post makes me smile at just how many liquid liners I deemed it acceptable to have. I think one of the reasons I favoured a liquid line is because it felt very 'make-upy' for a make-up newbie. Who knows, maybe I'll crack my liquid liner out this week?

Do you look back on your old posts? What do you think of them?

Laura xoxo

Back to Basics

After watching Anna's new video (the capsule make-up bag) this Sunday, it got me thinking about what I would put in my basics/capsule category, and today I'm sharing them with you!

A good all round base that works for most occasions would have to be the Dr Jart+ BB Cream. A good medium coverage, especially for a BB cream, with a lovely glow and skincare properties it has pretty much all you want from a base. My two favourite concealers are Maybelline Dream Lumi Touch Concealer and the Estee Lauder Double Wear. I'm still yet to find a powder that wows me, but the  Bourjois Healthy Balance powder is doing alright at not caking and keeping shine away.

As I have a bit of discolouration in my eyes MAC's Painterly soon sorts them out. To make me look more awake a quick slick of Rimmels Scandaleyes in Nude really brightens tired peepers. A mascara that thickens and lengthens the lashes has to be Max Factor's False Lash Effect. To add some brow definition in a flash, Max Factors Brow Pencil in Hazel is a definite go to.

Wow, lots of 'other' products here... The Nars Multiple in Portofino is the perfect blush. Blob it on, blend it in and bobs your uncle. A lip product I love is this Lip Butter in Berry Smoothie.

What would be your basics?

Laura xoxo

Video: This or That

I was tagged by the lovely Olivia to do this tag, and thought why not give it a go, and here is my result.

I'd love to know your answers in either a comment or video response :)

Laura xoxo

Review: Dr Jart+ Recover Primer

It is no secret that I have fallen in love with the Dr Jart+ Water Fuse BB cream, and when Boots was having a money off offer on their skincare I picked up this primer. When I pumped this on my hand it felt so smooth and soft and knew I had to try it. I primer is something I'm definitely on the hunt for.

Whilst feeling smooth on my skin, it doesn't work that well under my make-up unfortunately. As I mainly use a powder foundation, I found that it collects on top of this and just does not blend into my skin very well. I then tried using it with a liquid foundation and whilst it blended in better, as soon as I powdered it went cakey and patchy, again.

So if you don't use powder products, then I would say give this a go, but unfortunately it is not working out for me.

Have you tried this? What do you think?

Laura xoxo

What I Wore this Week

Happy Sunday everyone. Hope you're having a good weekend and have had an amazing week.

Monday: Top: New Look // Skirt: Topshop // Shoes & Cardigan: George at Asda

Tuesday: All Asda

Wednesday: Top & Shoes: Asda // Skirt: New Look

Thursday: Top: Topshop // Shoes: Converse

Friday: Top: Topshop // Scarf: New Look // Shoes: Converse

Saturday: Hoodie: Don't know // Shoes: Converse

Hope you all have an amazing week.

Laura xoxo

Video: Top Foundations

In my quest for the perfect foundation, it's safe to say I've tried a few. This video shows you the ones that I would class as 'favourites.'

What is your top foundation?

Laura xoxo

Friday Fact

Smile when applying your lipstick.

Apparently smiling when applying your lipstick allows you to cover the whole of your lips. Since reading this tip I've been implementing it myself, as I previously, occasionally (a lot of the time) used to sport some lovely blank spaces in the corner of my mouth. Be careful though, too much pressure in the outer corner could result in a joker-esque look.

Happy Friday.

Laura xoxo

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Throwback Thursday: O.P.I Kiss Me on the Tulips

This was my first ever O.P.I Polish, and I bought it just over a year ago now, and found it in my little (I have two of these 'little' boxes) nail polish box, and thought it was perfect for the sunny weather we were having.

Kiss Me On The Tuplips to be is pretty much a fuscia pink, with a bit of neon about it, and I love it. I forgot how much fun it was to wear bright colours on the nails, opting for nudes due to their ease, and dark colours due to the weather.

I know feel fully ready for summer.

What do you think of this colour?

Laura xoxo

Video: How I Use the Enrapture Heated Rollers

Excuse the ill and general out of sorts of this video, but I really wanted to show you how I use the Enrapture Rollers.

I hope you enjoy.

Laura xoxo

FOTD: Barely There

I'm sure we've all been there; you don't want to wear a full face of make-up but don't want to bare all for the world. This is what I go for, especially now the weather is finally getting warmer (or was.)

For a base, I just whack on a load of Origins Vita Zing which at first, I didn't like, but now can see myself re-purchasing. It isn't a tinted moisturiser, but it evens out my skin tone, and gives a bit more ommph to my skin.

I then just conceal major blemishes and under my eyes. I have to conceal under my eyes.

My favourite highlighter of the moment is the new Estee Lauder Illuminating powder Gelee, in HeatWave. This just gives the skin the most amazing healthy glow. I am in love with it.

For a bit of definition I use a sprinkling of Nars Laguna.

The tiniest sweep of Revlon's 3D Volume mascara alongside a little bit of MAC's Painterly to even out my skin tone is all the love my eyes get.

For a natural lip colour I put on some Blistex or Vaseline and gently blend  in some of MAC's Brick-o-la.

What are your 'barely there' make-up faves?

Laura xoxo

Review: Revlon Photoready Cream Blush in Pinched

I picked up this blush in a 3 for 2 offer Revlon were having. I love a peachy colour, and cream blushes seem to be my thing of the moment.

Now, let me get the negatives out of the way first. The pigmentation of this product sucks. The right hand swatch is a couple of swirls, and the left is a good ol' dig. I feel like if it had a sheen to it, then maybe it would be ok, but for a cream blush, it's actually quite matte.

However, when you've made your arm ache getting enough product on the brush, it does give such a natural colour to the cheeks.

So whilst not the best formula, and I probably won't be re-purchasing, it is a lovely colour, that gives a subtle summer look to your cheeks,

What do you think? Have you tried this?

Laura xoxo

What I Wore this Week

My first week of university freedom, and I really haven't done much. I've read, a lot. I've missed reading for fun, which sounds so dull, but I love a good book, if you have any lighthearted recommendations, please leave them below for me. Aside from that, a lot of babysitting, I don't know if I've mentioned but I pick up my youngest brother from school now that my step mom has gone back to work (3 days a week) and it is rather challenging/draining. Why I feel the need to share this with you, I don't know. On with the outfits.

Monday: All Asda

Tuesday: Dress: ASOS // Shoes: Topshop

Wendesday: Scarf and Shirt: New Look // Boots: Asda // Skirt: Topshop

Thursday: Scarf: H&M // Top: Topshop // Boots: Asda

Friday: Top: New Look //Boots: Topshop

Saturday: Cardigan: Asda // Top: New Look // Jeans: Dorothy Perkins // Shoes: Primark

Have a lovely week,

Laura xoxo

Video: Facebook Fail

A little video about the things that annoy me on Facebook! Enjoy.

What annoys you on Facebook?

Laura xoxo

Friday Fact

Squeeze out the excess water from your hair before applying your conditioner. 

By squeezing out the extra moisture it means that the conditioner will be able to fully sink into the hair, meaning that it will be more effective. Otherwise the water will dilute, meaning the conditioner will lose it's strength.

Happy Friday!

Laura xoxo

Throwback Thursday: Max Factor Creamy Blush in Soft Pink

I mentioned this little guy in my top cream blushers post yesterday, and it has definitely earned its place there. My aunt gave me this, as she was given it and she doesn't wear make-up. I kind of dismissed it at first, not sure why, it just didn't seem up my street. However, I was having a clear out the other month, found this, and fell in love.

The formula of these blushes are super easy to use, and have pretty good pigmentation to boot.

Whilst in the pan it looks like it could be too much, when blended onto the cheek, it gives a lovely flush without looking overdone.

What do you think of this blush? Have you tried anything from this range?

Laura xoxo

Cream of the Crop

I seem to have a thing for cream blushers at the moment. I don't know why, the powder ones haven't done anything wrong, I just seem to be reaching past them for something with a more blend-able formula. I also think that cream blushers give your skin a glow that powders can not achieve. So this post is focused on my favourite three.

I'm not very adventurous with colours am I?

Max Factor Miracle Touch Blush - This is such a good little blush, it should be having its own post soon, but it applies so effortlessly and gives a lovely pop of colour to the cheeks. The formula is brilliant, spot on for a cream blush.

Maybelline Dream Touch Blush - I've recently featured this in a Throwback Thursday. I bought it ages ago, before I was properly into make-up, and it's so good. It is really pigmented and blends so well.

Nars Multiple - I love these multiples. I think I may have mentioned them once or twice on this old blog! They are just the best. Shame they're so bloomin' expensive.

What are your favourite cream blushers?

Laura xoxo

New Video: Get Ready With Me - Beyonce Edition

I may have mentioned it once or twice, but the other week I was lucky enough to go see Beyonce. I filmed me getting ready and thought I'd post it for you!

Sorry about the music, I'm still a bit of a noob. But if you like Beyonce, stay tuned til the end!

Hope you like,

Laura xoxo

Review: Lee Stafford 'Messed Up'

I definitely prefer the slightly messed up/just go out of bed look when it comes to my hair. I love the Bumble and Bumble surf spray, but I do find it dries my hair out at times, so I picked this up in the hope that I would get the same effect but without the drying feeling.

This is my hair with nothing in it. As you can see it has a wave to it, and isn't the worst, but for me it feels a bit flat.

So this is my hair after a good spritz of the 'messed up' bottle. It's not earth shattering is it?

What I like about this is that you can't feel it in your hair. What I feel it does is emphasise the curl in my hair rather than 'mess up' my hair. Some may prefer this, but it doesn't do what it says on the tin.

I've only used this a handful of times, and the bottle is already feeling pretty empty.

Whilst I don't hate this product, it hasn't blown me away. Maybe my hair is a bit too long for it, or maybe it's just not compatible with my hair. I do like the effect it gives, but it definitely was not what I wanted from it, so I'm not going to be repurchasing it, but it won't be a hardship using it up.

Have you tried this? What do you think?

Laura xoxo

What I Wore this Week

So, it's May now. How scary? I've got one more essay to hand in on Tuesday and I am finished with university. So weird. Aside from working I've been ill again this week which is annoying, but I have managed to do a few fun things. I saw Iron Man 3 on Friday and although I was dubious when going in, I actually really enjoyed it, it didn't feel two hours which I thought it may. Anyway, here is what I wore this week.

Monday: Top: New Look // Skirt & Shoes: Topshop

Tuesday: Shirt: Asda // Shoes: Converse

Wednesday: Cardigan: Primark // Dress & Shoes: Asda

Thursday: All Topshop

Friday: Top: M&S // Jeans: Dorothy Perkins // Shoes: Topshop

Saturday: Top: New Look // Jeans : Dorothy Perkins // Shoes: Topshop

Hope you have a good week,

Laura xoxo

Video: What I Bought This Month - April

So I love watching Hauls, my bank balance hates it, but I've always wondered whether I should do them. I decided to do it as I love sharing new items, it's like buying them all over again. Instead of doing lots of random little hauls, I thought I'd do one for the month. It's kinda long, but I hope you enjoy!




Do you enjoy hauls?

Laura xoxo

Friday Fact

Exfoliate your legs before shaving them.

Now, I don't know whether everyone new that but me, but I always used to exfoliate my legs after shaving as I thought that would get me closer to the dead skin cells. Lovely thought, right? Well, so I've heard, exfoliating first softens the hair, lessening the chance of ingrown hairs (yum) and also stops the likely hood of your legs becoming sore, as exfoliating afterwards is too harsh on the skin.

Did you know this, or am I helping a sister out?

Boys have it so lucky.

Laura xoxo

Disclaimer - I HATE shaving my legs.

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