‘Golden Glow’ Eye Makeup

Ive recently started using eyeshadow a lot more as part of my daily makeup routine, so in todays post i thought i would share with you my favourite winter ‘golden glow’ eyeshadow. I use the Naked 2 Palette to achieve this look, and i personally LOVE it! I think this makeup suits the colder weather as it brings a warmth to my eyes and a slight shimmer, by adding a bit of glitter to an eye can make it look so much prettier.

I only used 4 shades to create this look: Foxy, YDK, Chopper and Snakebite. I added a bit of depth to a natural shimmer eye makeup look, making it look slightly smokier but also keeping it subtle and perfect for any daytime or evening event.

I absolutely adore these shades in this palette, and Chopper is definitely my favourite. The pigments are so strong, and each colour has a different tone of gold which makes my eyes POP. YDK is a darker shade of gold, with a slight copper tone. Whereas Chopper is a more rose gold/pink shade. Then Snakebite is a brassy gold tone, which helps bring together the whole look.

To achieve this natural, yet smokey golden glow, i use 4 steps. Firstly i take the shade ‘Foxy’ and cover my whole eye lid as a start base for the rest of the pigments. Then i take  YDK and apply that throughout my crease to give more depth to my eye. Next i cover the middle of my eyelid with ‘Chopper’ to create a golden tone that mixes well with my crease. I then blend both of these golden shades together so that my eye has depth and shimmer. Finally, i take ‘Snakebite’ and apply this to the outer corner of my eye to smoke out the look a little bit. Sometimes i also take a darker colour, such as ‘Half baked’ to give my eye a darker golden tone on the outer corners and create a smokier look.

So, thats it! My simple golden glow eye makeup look, let me know if you like this eye makeup or if you recreate it in the coming weeks, i know this will definitely be my Christmas day eye shadow!

Everyday Makeup Routine

I LOVE makeup, I am in no way a makeup artist, but there is something i really enjoy about being able to transform my face. I thought i would do a post today showing you my everyday makeup look! I don’t wear makeup every single day, but on the days i do, i like to keep it relatively simple. I usually opt for a brown, slightly copper toned eye, with a nude lip. Im going to take you step by step through my everyday make up routine for anyone who wants to recreate this look, so i hope you enjoy!

Face

1. I always start off my makeup by using the Mens Nivea Post Shave Balm as a primer, and let me tell you, this stuff works wonders! Its like a glue for foundation, and keeps my make up on aaall day long.
2. I then apply the Maybelline Fit Me foundation in the shade ‘230’, i absolutely adore this foundation as it gives me a complete matte finish and super full coverage.

3. Next, i put the Maybelline Instant Age Rewind concealer, in the shade ‘light’, under my eyes in a triangular shape, and on the high points of my face (nose, cupids bow, chin, forehead). Ive been using this concealer for YEARS and its the best one everrrr to cover under eye bags, but also highlight the face.

4.  Whenever i have any spots i always conceal them using the Nars Creamy Concealer in ‘vanilla’. Again this stuff is amazing, and has great coverage.

5. Once I’ve concealed my face and hidden any blemishes, i move onto contouring using my Sleek Contour Kit. I love this palette so so much, i only use it for the darker contour shades but it is so creamy and blends so easily with my beauty blender. I take the lighter shade on the left, and blend that onto my forehead and below my jaw to give me abit of bronze. Then using the darker shade i define my cheekbones by drawing a line from my ear where my cheek bones are. This gives the perfect definition.

6. After I’ve applied all the cream based products onto my face, i move onto powders. I use the Rimmel Stay Matte powder in ‘transparent’ all over my face, to get rid of any shine, as i personally like a matte finish.

7. Then i take my Hoola Bronzer and apply this where i put the cream contour, to give my face more definition and try to make myself look like i have some sort of cheekbone! If you’ve never tried Hoola by Benefit i definitely recommend it as the shade is so warm and matte, it looks so pretty.

8. For blusher i use the Benefit Rockatuer, this blush is the most gorgeous blush I’ve ever used. It has a slight sparkle to it, which mixes perfectly with the peach and rose pigments.

9. Next up, is HIGHLIGHTER. I love highlighter, its my favourite makeup product! Because of this, i often use 2 highlighters as i can’t choose between both of them. These are the Mac ‘Soft & Gentle’ highlighter, and The Balm’s, Mary-Lou Manizer. I apply the Mac highlight above my cheek bones for a warmer glow, and the Mary-Lou on my nose and cupids bow for a lighter highlight.

Eyebrows

10. For my eyebrows i use 3 products. I start by using the spooly brush, from Benefits Precisely My Brow Pencil, to brush through my eyebrows. (As the shade of the pencil it too dark for me).

11. I then use Soap and Glory’s Brow Archery in ‘medium brown’, to fill in my eyebrows. I use the crayon pencil to lightly fill in the start of my eyebrow as the crayon is quite light so doesn’t give a harsh overdrawn look. I then take the felt tip type of brush at the other end of the product to lightly fill in my arch and the rest of my eyebrows, using light brush strokes.

12. Once I’ve filled in my eyebrows i set them using Gimme Brow by Benefit.

Eyes

13. I love a brown/copper eye look during the winter, as it gives abit of warmth to my eyes. Also because i have quite big blue eyes, using warmer colours makes the blue stand out more which i love. I use the Naked 2 Palette to do my eyeshadow. Taking ‘Snakebite’, i define my crease. I then take ‘Chopper’ to go over my lid towards the edge of my eye. Then i take ‘Bootycall’ and put that in the inner corner of my eye to make them look brighter. On occasion, i will also take my Mac highlighter and put it in the middle of my eye to make them look bigger and more awake!

14. My favourite go-to mascara is the Too Faced Better Than Sex. This mascara makes my eyelashes look so thick and long which i loooove. As i currently have eyelash extensions i don’t often use this mascara, but i will sometimes apply it for added depth. When i don’t have eyelashes, i ALWAYS do winged eyeliner with this mascara, and it makes my eyes look so much bigger!

Lips

15. The last stage of my everyday makeup routine is my lips. I always wear these 2 Mac lip products. I start by lining my lips with this lip liner in the shade ‘Spice‘. I then apply my fav Mac lipstick in the shade ‘Velvet Teddy‘. These 2 colours go so nicely together and can be worn with any make up look.

SO, that is my completed makeup look that i do about 5 times a week! I hope you enjoyed, and let me know if you use any of the same products as me, or what your everyday makeup looks like!

X

5 Gift Ideas for Him // Under £10

I recently posted a gift ideas for ‘her’, so i thought why not post a gift ideas for him, to help anyone who is struggling to buy the perfect present for their partner, brother, dad or friend. I have found 5 gifts that i think are perfect to buy for men this Christmas, and they are all under £10! So, if you’re finding it tricky shopping for your family or friends, here are a few ideas that will hopefully inspire or help you to buy the best gift this Christmas!

Christmas Fairisle Beanie Hat: £10

Hats are the perfect gift for a man this winter. With the cold weather and festivities, there is nothing better than a beanie to keep you warm, especially one with a Christmas pattern to really get into the festive spirit. I love this gift idea, as this hat is super cool and the colour will suit anyone.

Basket Case Game: £10

This is a perfect gift for any impractical jokers in the family. Any man would love to receive a funny game to entertain the family on christmas morning, so why not whack a basketball hoop onto your head and get everyone to throw basketballs into the net? A humourous but also very fun gift to receive.

Jack & Jones Socks: £10

Socks are also a great present to receive, and they are even better when they suit the festive season with a funky pattern. These socks come in a pack of 4 different designs, suiting any man. Plus, the packaging of these socks is super smart, making it look like you put a lot of effort into choosing these cool socks.

Face Mats: £6

This is another joker gift, but it can also be fun for all of the family. I have seen these face mats all over the place in the last few months, and I’m sure any dad, husband or friend will really enjoy joking around with different facial expressions attached to them during the holiday season! So this is definitely a top pick if you want to gift someone with a fun and entertaining present this year.

Bulldog Protective Moisturiser SPF15: £9

The last gift is something affordable and suitable for all men, a moisturiser! Everyone needs to moisturise, so a moisturiser specifically aimed at men to protect their skin is the perfect gift! Its also the best stocking filler as it is a small gift, but very thoughtful.

 

5 Gift Ideas for Her // Under £10

Christmas is soon approaching! With only 5 weeks left i thought that this week i would upload some gift ideas, to help anyone who is struggling to buy the perfect gift for their loved ones! I have bundled together a range of 5 gifts for women, all from ASOS, that are under £10! SO if you’re finding it tricky shopping for your family or friends, then this post will give you a few inspirations or ideas to help you buy the BEST Christmas presents, at an affordable price!

Loungeable Cuff & Pom Textured Sock: £10

One of the easiest presents to buy someone this year, is SLIPPERS! Every girl loves slippers, especially in the freezing cold weather. These slipper socks are a perfect gift as they are super warm but also very stylish. Also, they are only £10, which means you could add a little extra gift on the side (maybe some chocolate), and it would look like you really put a lot of effort and thought into that person.

Capri Blue Velvet Moss And Jasmine Candle: £8

Most women absolutely love candles, i know the best gift i will receive from a friend is CANDLES! No matter what scent, candles can be used throughout the year and make the perfect present. This candle also looks super cute in its tin, the pattern gives a slight festive vibe, although its not actually a christmas candle, so can be used all year round!

Ciate Mini Paint Pots: £10

You can never go wrong with gifting a woman nail polish. This super cute set will be the perfect gift for anyone in the family. The festive colours and gorgeous packaging will look great underneath the christmas tree and plus, who doesn’t love Ciate nail polish?!

 

Paperchase Christmas Handwarmers: £8

I LOVE this gift idea. Not only are these hand warmers the cutest thing ive ever seen, but they are also the perfect present! Not many people think to  buy hand warmers as a gift, but these little mini bears will make any woman smile on christmas day!

St Tropez Luxe Oil 50ml Cracker: £10

The last gift idea is fake tan! Most woman love to fake tan so whats better than to receive a top quality tan product wrapped up in a christmas cracker?! The product and packaging are amazing, and will make the best gift for your girlfriend, friend or sister.

Haircare

Recently i have dyed my hair blonde, in a balayage style, and with new hair colours comes new hair products! So because i have recently purchased some new hair products and my hair routine has changed quite abit since being brunette, i thought i would share with you the new products i use for my blonde hair.

I start off my hair routine by using the Toni & Guy Illuminate Blonde Shampoo. This shampoo helps lock in the colour, whilst also making my hair super shiny, and it smells so lovely and fresh! It really helps to enhance the vibrancy of my hair, keeping it soft and protecting it from damage.

After shampooing, i go in with conditioner. I have been using the S Factor Serious Conditioner for about 2 years now and it is my FAV! First off, it smells incredible, and i mean INCREDIBLE! This pot has also lasted me the longest time, as a small bit goes a really long way. I only condition the ends of my hair as these get the driest, and this conditioner helps to keep split ends at bay, and lock in moisture.

After I’ve washed my hair, i use the Toni & Guy Serum Drops. I usually rub about 2 drops into the ends of my hair to prevent them from frizzing, and to keep my hair looking silky and soft. I love this product as it doesn’t make my hair look oily or greasy, but instead tames any fly aways and makes my hair look salon smooth.

As i use ALOT of heat on my hair, every single day. I protect my hair using the Toni & Guy Heat Protection Mist. I spray this onto my wet hair before blow drying and straightening, so that i don’t damage my hair by applying heat. This is another great product and really stops my hair from developing split ends from its exposure to all my styling tools. And again, it also smells amazing! All of these products make my hair smell like I’ve come from a salon, which is why i love them so much.

Finally, the last product i use once my hair is dry, is the Lee Stafford Dehumidifier. This is basically like a hairspray, but for FRIZZ! I spray this on my hair before i go out and it literally stops my hair from frizzing up from the wind, it is incredible! SO if you’re like me, and have super frizzy and curly hair, this is the perfect product to tame your frizziness.

What’s in my bag?

Ive seen a lot of people doing this type of thing lately, on youtube and on blogs, so i thought id show you what is in my bag! I don’t often use a bag when I’m out and about, as i only really bring my purse with me. However, when i do bring my bag with me, if I’m going out for the day, this is pretty much what’s inside… plus 20 old receipts and chewing gum wrappers, but i’ll pretend i keep my bag suuuper clean for the purposes of this post.

The bag i use is the one pictured above. I bought it from Urban Outfitters a few months ago and i absolutely love it, i believe it was roughly around the £60 mark. Its not too small, but its also not big either. The size is perfect for me as i don’t often carry a lot of things so it fits everything i need. It has a long silver chain so it can be worn either across the body, or on one shoulder, i like to switch it up. Im not a huge bag person, so when i buy a bag i usually stick with it for about a year or so before i get a new one. And this bag seems to be doing quite nicely!

Purse: Carvela Kurt Geiger

The one thing i ALWAYS have in my bag, is my purse. My purse if from ASOS, but the original brand is Kurt Geiger. Im in LOVE with this purse. It fits cash, cards and coins in it but is so sleek and small as well.

Sunglasses

Sunglasses are another must have in my bag, as i never know whether the sun is going to pop out. The tortoise shell shape looks great with anything I’m wearing and the pattern makes any outfit look classy, i adore them.

Phone & Headphones

These items are absolute necessities, i must always have my phone on me anytime, anywhere. And headphones, well, you never know when you might  want to block out the world and listen to your fav songs!

 

In my bag i also keep a smaller bag, this bag has the more boring things inside that are necessary on a day to day basis. The marble pattern bag itself is from primark, and holds basically everything inside it.

Extra Chewing Gum

You always need gum with you, ALWAYS.

Nurofen

I always make sure i have nurofen on me, as i tend to get a lot of headaches, so it really comes in handy!

Palmers Cocoa Butter Lip Balm

Now that its winter, and the days are much colder, my lips really need some TLC. I try to make sure i have lip balm in my bag, so that if my lips are getting chapped i can moisturise them and carry on with my day. I especially love this lip balm, as it smells AMAZING and really helps to hydrate my lips!

Hand Sanitiser: Bath and Body Works

Hand sanitiser is also a must in the colder months. The one i carry around with me is the pocket size from bath and body works, in the scent ‘Pumpkin Cranberry Cider’, which smells exactly like spiced cranberries and reminds me so much of christmas.

Hairbands

Everyone with long hair knows that you can’t go anywhere without hairbands! I have naturally curly hair so i HAVE to carry hairbands with me incase it rains, otherwise i turn into a complete frizzball.

The last things i like to keep inside my bag are make up bits.

Nars Concealer: Vanilla

This concealer has saved my life, literally. Its coverage is A-M-A-ZING. I always take a concealer with me in my bag just incase a blemish appears or i need to touch up my make-up, and this concealer is perfect.

A Spooly

Because i have eyelash extensions at the moment, i take this spooly with me incase any of my eyelashes need to be tamed.

Mac Lipstick ‘Velvet Teddy’

This is my all time favourite lipstick, so i also take it in my bag. The shade goes with absolutely any outfit or make up look, so its perfect for everyday use.

What are your necessities that you always have to take with you in your bag? Thanks for reading!

All about… Eyelash extensions

I have been getting eyelash extensions on and off for about 5 months. At first, i was extremely hesitant to get them done as ive heard horrible things about them! But, in all honesty, they have made my life 100x easier!

I got my first set of eyelash extensions back in July, right before a girls holiday. My only reason for getting them was so that i didnt have to wear any make up when i was away, and i would still look half decent after being in the pool because atleast my eyes still looked good. After having the extensions i didnt get anyother set until about a month ago. I thought i would write this post to tell anyone who is interested in getting eyelash extensions the positives and negatives of getting them done!

I’ll start with the negatives, to get them out of the way:

1. Lash extensions are PRICEY! To get a full set of russian lashes, which is what i get, costs me £60. I know what youre thinking, how can i spend a whopping £60 on bloody eyelashes! However, infills cost £20 and these are done every 3/4 weeks which i guess is a little bit better.

2. Towards the end (about 3 weeks after the treatment) you will be left with stray lashes that are hanging all over the place, and dont exactly look very pleasing!

3. The treatment itself is very tedious. Eyelash extensions take about 2 hours to apply, meaning you have to lie still with your eyes shut whilst someone is poking and prodding at your eyes. But honestly, its not as bad as it sounds!

4. Once the eyelashes have all come out, you will be left with shorter lashes. When i first had my lashes done, my natural lashes were long and curly, but by the end they had become a lot shorter which scared me to death! However, your eyelashes DO grow back!

5. They take abit of care if you want them looking goooood everyday. You have to brush them with a spooly twice a day to keep them in line, and not get them wet for the first 24 hours.

6. The FINAL con of eyelash extensions. In the morning, you will probably wake up with the eyelashes on your pillow, some lashes will hang down into your eye, and on the odd occasion they will get stuck together.

Now all of the negatives of getting eyelash extensions are done, we can talk about the POSITIVES.

1. Your eyes will look amazing afterwards! Eyelash extensions really make eyes look bigger and brighter, which i looove.

2. For lazier people like me, who dont enjoy waking up early to do their make up. Your make up routine will be halved in time, as theres no need for mascara, eyeliner or eyeshadow. Your eyes are already done!

3. It makes you feel more confident. Ive found that eyelash extensions have allowed me to feel more confident without wearing a full face of makeup, when i have eyelash extensions i barely ever worry about doing my make up.

4. They help make your skin better! Sounds silly i know, but by wearing less makeup, your skin clears up alot more. Ive found that eyelash extensions make my face look brighter and more awake, so theres no need for me to apply make up, therefore i have better skin.

5. You can go swimming or wake up in the morning without having to worry about getting panda eyes! The main thing i love about extensions is i never have to worry about my mascara running or having to wash off loads of eye make up.

6. They last for roughly 4 weeks! Thats 4 weeks of not having to apply eye make up, and waking up in the morning looking like youve spent 20 minutes applying fake lashes or mascara!

Personally, i really enjoy having eyelash extensions, although it is abit of a treat. I dont get them done on a regular basis but when i do, i LOVE them! This post isnt about persuading people to get eyelash extensions, its simply for those who have been pondering the thought of getting them done, just to let people know what to expect!

Disclaimer: Im not an expert on eyelash extensions at all, this is just my own opinion.

Fall Fashion Favourites

One of the biggest things i love about Autumn, is not only the colder weather and hot drinks, but the CLOTHES. I love clothes, so much. My wardrobe expands every single season, but in Autumn time i can’t seem to stop shopping. Layering is my favourite thing to do, especially at this time of year. My outfit choices are quite simple, and I’m not an ‘out there’ type of person when it comes to clothes, so i thought i would share with you THREE of my all time favourite outfits to wear this Autumn. As we are approaching Winter, and in England the temperature drops like craaazy, these outfits are perfect for this chilly time of year, but can also suit warmer climates. The sun is still shining, so sunglasses are necessary, but the temperature is so cold, warm clothes are NEEDED.

Stripe Trousers: New Look £19.99

These trousers are perfect for this time of year, with a simple plain top, they make any outfit look smart, yet super comfy. As the weather still has no idea what its doing, these are a must have, as they are light but long so they can keep you cool whilst covering you up incase the crisp breeze gets a little too much. I absolutely adore these trousers, they make any outfit look like a lot of effort has been put in!

Black roll neck: Topshop £25

This is a new purchase i made quite recently, but i am so in love with this top. Its quite thick, but cropped, so it matches with the trousers perfectly. The colour black goes with practically everything, so you are making no mistake when adding this to your autumnal wardrobe. Also, roll necks are SO in at the moment, and they give a little ‘class’ to any outfit.

Shoes: ‘Amberlight Light Gold’ Converse £59.99

Although on the pricey side, these shoes are perfect with this outfit. Adding a pop of rose gold colour to all the black, i personally think they are the coolest shoes i have ever owned. Plus, you can never go wrong with a pair of trainers!

Hoop earrings: New Look £5

I LOVE silver and gold jewellery in the Autumn. I feel like hoop earrings are also a must have for any woman or girl at this time of year, i never leave the house without my hoops in! They make every outfit look more put together and slightly more ‘feminine’.

Tan jumper: Topshop £36

I LOVE LOVE LOVE this jumper. It is a perfect staple for any wardrobe. I love all of Topshop’s sweaters and jumpers, but this one if by far one of my faves. The colour is so autumnal, and looks amazing with a pair of black jeans. Tan and beige are really in style this year, and i adore them. Its super simple, but paired with boots and sunnies, looks amazing.

Leopard print sunglasses: Urban Outfitters £5

These sunglasses are INCREDIBLE. The colour, the style, the pattern..EVERYTHING. Honestly, these sunglasses go with absolutely anything, and give every outfit a bit of ‘sass’. Also, the sun is still shining on the odd occasion, so pair some sunnies with a warm jumper and you are good to go!

Black chelsea boots: River Island £40

I bought these boots well over a year ago now, and i get SO much wear out of them. I feel like a classy pair of black ankle boots, never go a miss in Autumn and Winter. They literally go with anything, jeans, a dress, a skirt, whatever you fancy! Plus, they keep your feet so warm. This whole outfit is to die for, and definitely my all time favourite at this time of year.

Topshop ‘Ruthless’ nail polish £5

Another thing i have been absolutely loving this Autumn, is black nail polish. I feel like this colour makes any outfit look Autumnal, especially when its paired with a tan or beige jumper, really bringing out the Autumn vibezzz.

Grey jumper: Topshop £39

Oh look, ANOTHER Topshop jumper! Its safe to say, when Topshop bring out their winter jumpers i am the first to make a purchase. This jumper has gold zips down either side of it, and i LOOOVE it. Its super cosy and warm, and this colour goes with everything! Yet again, i love to pair this outfit with some gold or silver hoops, to really make it pop.

Black denim skirt: Urban Outfitters £35

Im not one to wear skirts, but as soon as i saw this i HAD to have it. For shorter girls like me, it is perfect! The length of the skirt isn’t too long so it actually doesnt come past my knees, but it happily sits below my bum, covering all the right areas. As its black, it goes with anything and everything. I can literally wear it with a colourful top, jumper, a stripe top, bodysuit, ANYTHING! Also, pairing it will a black belt gives it a more casual vibe but also makes any outfit look super preppy.

Nails Inc ‘Uptown’ nail polish: £15

As well as black polish, nude is definitely another one of my favourite shades of nail polish. This pinky nude is perfect to wear in the Autumn, as its not too bright but not too dark, and matches with any outfit, especially this one!

A Slice of Cornwall

This post is a little different to what i would usually write, think of it more like an appreciation of  small local business. The other day i went for lunch to a small cafe about 20 minutes from where i lived, with mediocre expectation. To my surprise this small lodge hidden away on the Cornish countryside, shocked my tastebuds in a spectacular way. NO, the food was not 5 star French cuisine. But it really was delicious. The place i am talking about is called, Slice.

The decor for a start was everything i love squeezed into one small room. Cool tone greys, whites and creams, potted plants, oak tables and modern assets. I have never been more in awe of a cafe in my life.

I decided to order a Chocolate Orange Frappe, and WOW, best choice i ever made! The drink was served in a mason jar (my FAVS), with whipped cream and a large toasted marshmallow on top. The drink tasted like an ice cold hot chocolate with a hint of coffee, which is so perfect for those who aren’t big coffee drinkers but still like a kick. To eat, i had a ‘Tatiana’ flat bread. AT first i thought i had ordered 3 or 4 small bits of toasted bread with mozzarella and pesto on top, but in fact i was very wrong. I was served a large thin crust pizza, with pesto, mozz and olives, WOW. Although i could only eat half, it was the nicest pizza i had ever eaten, better than any Italian!

 

As i said, this post is bit of a random one, but i thought i would share this place with anyone who lives in Cornwall or is visiting, as i HIGHLY recommend it! Not only for the food, but the scenery and atmosphere also. Cornwall really is amazing, sometimes.