My three brow styles

Brows are definitely something that's 'in' right now! Or should I say 'on fleek' no i really shouldn't.

It wasn't until I started blogging that I ever really gave two hoots about my brows. I may have gone a bit pluck crazy after watching The Princess Diaries and wanting a make over that rivalled Anne Hathaways (let's just say, it left a lot to be desired,) but I never really gave them much though. Now, I bloomin' love them.

I really like doing my brows, maintaining my brows and brow products. So due to all that, I'm able to write this post, which I previously would've lol'ed or even rofl'ed at, my three different brow styles. 'Cause a girl just needs choices, right?

1) The casual: You know the drill, it's nothing serious but you still need a little something going on. For that occasion I turn to the Maybelline Brow Drama. Title aside there's nothing dramatic about it, you just whip it out and quickly comb it through and you're done. Simples.

2) The quick but all there: So you want to have the full on brow but to be honest you also want the extra ten minutes snooze. I know how you feel. For that I recommend a pencil, and the one I'm loving at the moment is the Sleek Brow Pencil. It has a spoolie one end and a nice slanted nib the other. Great for travel (i.e. on the train to work) and really good colour pay off too. The slanted nib (I feel like Chandler right when he laughs at 'duties') means you can get a real nice shape to your brows going too.

3) The go all out: This I like to save for special occasions, the ones where pictures are likely to be taken etc. For me, nothing makes my brows look more polished and put together and...well brow like, than when I use a powder. The powder I use is actually eyeshadow and it's MAC's Omega and Brun. These two guys and an angled brush take me from a 4 to a solid 8, and for that, I thank them.

What're your brow loves?

If I were to start my MAC palette again

I know for certain that if it wasn't for blogging, and other bloggers there is no chance in hell I'd own a MAC palette.

Base Face

I don't know about you, but I totally had the theme tune to 'Brace Face' in my head when I wrote this title.

Why you don't need to have all the make-up

Before I started blogging and when I'd just found the online beauty world on YouTube and my make-up collection could fit into a little cube. I also couldn't properly apply concealer and had no idea about powder, but that's a different story. 

The day after I watched my first video (it was a Tanya Burr one) I went down to my local Superdrug and tried to find products that replicated the ones she used in the video. I bought some brushes that looked similar, an eyeshadow palette and a new lipstick. It was all very exciting; well until I realised that the way I did it looked nothing like how she did.

I then watched more videos, ones to try and hone my technique, ones that showed different ways of applying make-up and in each one I was shown countless products, brushes and make-up accessories. Oh I lusted after MAC palettes and Dior lipsticks. 

I then started thinking why can't I have them? I had money (well a student loan, and we all know that's not real money) so decided I was going to start buying these products used in videos. So I did; and that is where my make-up buying began.

Once my make-up buying started to happen I also had this blog, and fully believed I had to have every product under the sun so I could review it on my blog and share my thoughts with the world. I didn't see anything wrong with it, and why would I? Everyone else was doing it! I was presented with blog upon blog and video after video of people spending the majority of their money on Topshop clothes and high-end make-up and I wanted to be like these people too. 

It was fun having a different make-up look each day for uni, spending the time to plan out what eyeshadow would go with which blusher and what lipstick would compliment the look. But you see, I've grown out of that a bit now. Watching a haul video doesn't make me want to run out to Selfridges and I haven't used my last two lots of Boots points vouchers. I've changed.

I've come to realise I don't need any new make-up as I already have far too much. I've had a good clear out recently and my make-up is still in drawers, no chance of fitting in the little cube I once started with. 

I think I was finally struck by the realisation that I'm not a make-up artist and no-one really needs that much make-up, especially if you don't wear it daily.

So for now, whilst I haven't restricted myself from buying anything new, I'm making a concerted effort to not buy anymore make-up until my collection is back to being able to go into a cube.

It just seems right. Plus, there are so many better things to spend money on.

So, if you're reading this, new to the blogging world, please, take my advice; don't buy every make-up item you see mentioned, you really don't need it all. 

A Christmas Story & a Christmas Wish List

A couple of weeks ago somebody from House of Fraser asked me to get involved with their Christmas wish list campaign, in which you share your best, worst and funniest Christmas, and being the jolly crimbo lover that I am, I agreed to take part. 

The best and worst Christmas presents are always though as I'm super lucky in the sense that my parents always spoil me at Christmas. However, one of my stand out best presents would have to be paint. Odd, I know, but I used to love changing my bedroom and one year I got paint in the colours I wanted my room and ended up having my whole room re-decorated. Worst, after a lot of thought may have to be some lavender draw liners that my nan's neighbour got me, however the fact that my nan's neigbour got me anything for Christmas is pretty cool.

Most hilarious Christmas present was actually given to my brother a couple of years ago and it was a swearing turtle. You press it's stomach and it shouts very rude insults at you. It was actually banned on that day due to elderly guests coming to dinner, but non the less it's still a hilarious present.

To end the post here is a wishlist of the things I'd love Santa to bring down the chimney this year. Fingers crossed.

1. Origins Super Star Minis 2. Elemis Pure Rose Indulgence Set 3. George at Asda Snowlfake Set    4. Kenwood Food Processor 5. Fitbit Flex

What are your favourite Christmas present stories? 

I was given the Elemis Pure Rose Indulgence Set for writing this post, however it is something I genuinely would've wanted regardless. All views thoughts and wish list ideas are my own.

Things change and people change

The title of this post is something that's always stuck with me from High School Musical 2

 (I know).  As I'm getting older that phrase is ringing even more true, and a lot has changed since I started this blog (almost three years ago) and I've changed too.

When I began this blog I was in my second year of uni, had never really known how to apply make-up before and had very quickly been pulled into an online world full of knowledge that I knew I wanted to be a part of. I'd spend my nights searching for new blogs, writing out posts and trying to perfect the liquid liner (which I'm still yet to master).

Now I have a full time job, and not as much time to fit in seeing friends and family. As you can imagine (and may have noticed) blogging has taken a bit of backseat.

Putting on make-up in the morning started to seem like a cruel tool devised to break up your relationship with sleep, so I began to omit it. I've started to pay for real life things such as bills and I don't have as much money or the mindset to spend lots of money on make-up when I have drawers full that I'm not using at home. I've also realised that it's ok to not own every make-up item ever created. Small and simple is fine, I'm not a make-up artist.

So what does this mean for my blog, which pretty much always has been centred on beauty? Well it means a bit of change. Whilst there still will be beauty posts on this very blog, there will also be some other posts too. I want to be able to experiment and find new ways to involve blogging in my life.

So whilst I have slowly started wearing more make-up (I take concealer and a RT contour brush to work with me, as I feel it's what Blair Waldorf would do) I'm also finding myself enjoying new things (mainly health and fitness, which you can read on this blog here) and want to indulge my creative side in different ways.

The purpose of this post? I fancied writing it so I did, which will more than likely be the purpose of every future post. 

Laura

Five in Five #1

I've finally come to the realisation that I have far too much make-up, and due to this I've decided I should really stop buying anymore. Which is great for my bank balance, but not so great when trying to think of new and creative ideas for a blog that's main focus is beauty. There are only so many times I can tell you about my favourite products, however I thought I'd start a series where I show you five products, and challenge myself to describe them in five words.

Ready, set, go!

Nars Multiple in South Beach - Glowy, sunkissed, Millie Mack cheekbones.

Real Techniques Contour Brush - Brush with hundreds of uses.

Dior Skin Nude BB Creme - Best thing since sliced bread.

Benefits Hervana Blush - Smells good enough to eat.

No7 BB Lips - Everyday esstential item must have.

Laura

The best of... Lipsticks

This year, for me at least, has been the year of the lipsticks. I couldn't get enough of the stuff. Formerly the women addicted to eyes, I'm now all about the lips.

 So, as the year's coming to a close (can you say Christmas?!?) I thought I'd do a round up of all the lip products I've been loving. 

Favourite high end: YSL Rouge Volupte in 13

Favourite high street: Rimmel Moisture Renew in Notting Hill Nude

Favourite matte: MAC Ruby Woo/Rimmel Kate Matte 101

Favourite bold: Rimmel Appocalips in Stellar

Favourite liquid: Loreal Extrodinare 101 Rose Melody

Favourite brand: Rimmel Moisutre Renew

Comfiest: No7 BB Lips

Most used: No7 BB Lips

What have been your favourites this year?

Laura

Review: No7 Lash Impact Mascara

I've had a love affair with many mascaras in my time. I've flitted and flirted with many, and this year I decided to give the No.7 Lash Impact a try.

Why this mascara I hear you ask? Because it's in a red sparkly tube, duh! Plus it was on offer.

I was sceptical to begin with, however I've found that I actually really like it. Proof that love can happen when you least it expect it.

The brush is right up my street. Nothing fancy, no weird shape just big, fat bristles. It goes onto my lashes easily and coats every last lash.

I've found it doesn't smudge. gives me nice volume and length, and I really like it. I find that it doesn't give me clumpy spiders legs, rather accentuates what I already have.

Will I be repurchasing? Only time will tell!

Have you tried this?